ATHENS - The old bus had the name ``Charlie's Angels'' airbrushed on the side, and it took Charlie Carter and his six severely disabled foster children to places like the mountains of North Carolina and the beaches of Florida. <br>
<br>
Carter was heartbroken on the day last year when an electrical short started a fire that quickly consumed the fuel-laden bus. He had tears in his eyes again this week -- joyful ones, as Elks Lodge members gave him a replacement. <br>
<br>
After accepting the keys to the lift-equipped Ford Econoline, Carter said, ``I'm thrilled to death. It's been a year since all of us could go somewhere together.'' <br>
<br>
The children cared for by Carter and his wife, Kaye, are confined to wheelchairs and in some cases unable to communicate. <br>
<br>
After the fire April 17, 2001, Carter was unsure how he would replace the bus. Dozens of people read about his plight in newspaper accounts and responded with donations that left the Carters overwhelmed. <br>
<br>
Carter said, ``You wouldn't have believed it. The kids received money from people that didn't even sign the cards. We didn't even know who to write to thank.'' <br>
<br>
One benefactor who wanted to remain anonymous paid for most of the small bus. The Elks, with help from local churches and other donors, also raised money. <br>
<br>
Elks Lodge president Bill Holmes said, ``When we saw his bus had burned, it burned at our hearts. We just picked up from there and knew we had to do something.'' <br>
<br>
The bus, purchased from Athens-Clarke County with the help of the mayor and county finance director, still needs some repairs. But the Elks have promised to take care of that. <br>
<br>
Holmes said, ``We're going to make it top-notch for him.'' <br>
<br>
As for Carter, he plans to use the new bus to carry his kids to hear some gospel music in Oglethorpe County.
