By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



A Gardendale woman is offering her services to residents who don’t have time on their side.

Errands by Aunt “V” is an errand and courier service founded by Veronica Hambric that caters to busy parents, business owners or seniors.

“The things that people need most are a pet taxi, pet sitting and the overall errands service, whether it be buying groceries or going to the drug store,” Hambric said.

Hambric received her business license on April 15 and just recently joined the Gardendale Chamber of Commerce. However, the idea for her errand service was hatched back in 1996.

Hambric said her sister, Marshella Porter, had a broken foot at the time and still had to juggle the responsibilities of running errands and spending time with her family.

“She said, ‘V,’ I wish I had another pair of hands, and I’d be willing to pay someone to grocery shop or run errands for me,’” Hambric said.

At the time, Hambric was employed with Charter Communications, and didn’t want to leave the security of her job to begin a new venture.

Not long after mentioning the idea, Marshella Porter and her husband, Chris Porter, were killed in a plane crash near Clanton. The couple were flying back from Key West when the crash occurred.

The tragedy left the Porter’s two sons, Christopher and Chad Porter, without parents. Hambric and her other sister, Darlene, then moved to Trussville to raise their two nephews until they had completed high school.

Last year, Hambric lost her job at Charter Communications after 21 years. Her nephew, Chad, then suggested an idea she had heard before. “He suggested opening up the errands service,” she said. “I decided to open Errands by Aunt ‘V’ in memory of my sister who gave me the idea for this business.”

Hambric said she offers a multitude of services for the man or woman on the go, including:

• Personal shopping for birthday, baby, get-well, graduation, wedding or retirement presents, in addition to grocery shopping

• Errands, including chauffeuring pets to and from the vet, delivering flowers, taking a car in for repair, waiting for a home repairman, coordinating maids and gardening personnel, stocking a refrigerator, making appointments, meal delivery, pet sitting, light housekeeping, plant care, mail pick-up or delivery, document pick-up and delivery, pick-up and delivery of dry cleaning and prescription refills.

If that weren’t enough, Hambric can also organize birthday parties for a child or a reception.

“I hope I’ll be able to grow the business,” she said. “I’m starting off in the Gardendale and Fultondale area, due to gas prices.”

She said gas prices are figured in to what she charges, but she offers 10 free miles each day. Additional miles are charged at current IRS allowable rates. Rates do not include the price of goods, taxes or services purchased on the client’s behalf.

“This is for people running around in a hustle and bustle and like my sister, trying to accomplish more than is humanly possible,” she said. “I think more people are willing to pay for an extra set of hands.”

Errands by Aunt “V” can be contacted by phone at 541-9683 or 631-1303. She can also be reached via e-mail at vhambric@charter.net.