When it comes to changing diapers, Les Severance is an old pro.

After all, he helped raise two sons and regularly cares for his infant stepgrandson, so taking care of 11-month-old Shane was just like old times.

“It’s like riding a bicycle. It’s all the same stuff,” Severance said. “You have to know the basics … and you give him lots of love.”

But taking care of a baby requires certain supplies. Enter three of Michael Leslie Severance’s best friends the day a San Angelo civil court awarded Les custody of Shane for 60 days.

With Julie Fesmire staying with Les and his grandson, Mary Hogue and Jeanie Campbell sought donations from the San Angelo Wal-Mart and came away with about $350 in toys, diapers, baby clothes, a car seat and gift certificates.

“We wanted to do something to get him started,” Fesmire said.

“At one point,” Hogue said, “I asked him, ‘If you win, are you prepared?’ and he said, ‘No, we don’t have a thing. We don’t have a [baby] bottle left to our name.'”

Les and his son Frank

Severance had relied on fundraisers to get them to Texas and didn’t want to spend money on baby equipment until they were sure they would win custody, Hogue said.

“He didn’t have any money, and neither did we,” she added. “He knew it would be emotionally bad enough if he did win, let alone if he had to take everything back if he didn’t win.”