When I first heard the story, I didn’t believe it. It sounded like an urban legend—something too extraordinary to be true. A local fighter, in the middle of a record-breaking snowstorm, texting a car dealership owner to borrow a $95,000 Ford Raptor to rescue homeless people, pets, and stranded drivers all over Topeka? Come on.
But the more I dug, the more undeniable it became. The story wasn’t just true—it was even more incredible than I’d imagined.
It started with a text on the icy morning of January 4th, 2025. As ice crushed Topeka, John “Iron Man” Cantrell, a fighter, business owner, and longtime community advocate, reached out to Steve at Noller Ford. His message was simple:
“Can I use the Ford Raptor, [a $95,000 truck], to go out and rescue wet, cold, dirty, and in-danger homeless people—and, of course, their pets?”
Steve’s reply came within moments:
“Yes, of course.”
No questions. No hesitation. Just trust.
What happened next is the kind of story that defines a community.
“I Had to Do Something”
When I met John, I expected a larger-than-life figure to match the legend. Instead, I found someone deeply humble, almost reluctant to talk about himself. “I just had to do something,” he told me.
Through all of this, John never once mentioned himself or his business ventures during our conversation. He owns several local businesses, including a glass company, Topeka Auto Glass, yet he chose to keep the focus entirely on others like Miriam, Steve, and the individuals he met that night. It speaks volumes about his character and his unwavering commitment to Topeka and its people.
As the roads turned to ice and the storm bore down, John drove through the night. He pulled cars from ditches and snowbanks, delivered life-saving medications to people with disabilities, and transported homeless individuals and their pets to safety.
He worked tirelessly, coordinating with local warming shelters, churches, and the Topeka Rescue Mission. When the mission ran out of space for pets, John reached out to PANT, the Pet Assistance Network of Topeka. “We couldn’t leave anyone behind—not the people and not their pets,” John said.
The Dealer Who Said “Yes”
After hearing John’s side, I needed to talk to Steve at Noller Ford. How many businesses would hand over such an expensive truck without a second thought?
Steve didn’t want to talk, either. It turns out, this kind of generosity is nothing new for him or Noller Ford. From supporting Toys for Tots with truck loads of cash or quietly backing community impact projects, they consistently give without fanfare. Steve’s answer to John’s request—“Yes, of course”—wasn’t a decision he agonized over. It was just who he is.
Angela at Noller Ford echoed my disbelief at the story. Like me, she thought the community needed to know about generosity and humanity that went into this moment. “These two do so much for the community and never tell anyone,” she said.
She’s right.
The Spirit of Topeka
This isn’t just a story about a snowstorm or a borrowed truck. It’s about the heart of a city and the people who live here.
John didn’t do what he did for recognition. Steve didn’t lend the truck for publicity. Miriam didn’t work at the Topeka Rescue Mission for praise. But their actions—quiet, humble, and life-saving—are what define Topeka at its best.
We often hear about what’s wrong in the world. But in the middle of a snowstorm, with lives on the line, these individuals reminded us of what’s right.
They’ll hate this article, I’m sure. They didn’t want me to write it, sorry not sorry. But sometimes, stories like this need to be told. Not for their sake, but for ours.
How to Help
If you want to make a difference like John, Steve and Miriam, consider supporting the organizations and individuals who made this incredible effort possible:
- Topeka Rescue Mission: Donate or volunteer by visiting trmonline.org or calling (785) 354-1744.
- Noller Ford: While they don’t seek recognition, their community involvement is worth supporting. So call them and tell them that the Top City appreciates them!! (785) 350-6450
Topeka, let’s follow their example. When the next storm hits—literal or figurative—we’ll be ready to say, “Yes, of course.”
