Doing Good Things: Wheels4Hope
By Guest Blogger Adriane Singleton, Triad Hub Manager of Wheels4Hope
As the holiday season is quickly approaching, are you wondering how you can give back to those in need? Salvation Army Kettle Ringers will soon be greeting customers at shopping centers. Plus, there will be penny drives, food drives, coat drives, toy drives, and a car drive at Wheels4Hope. This nonprofit car donation program makes car ownership a reality for working low-income families. Founded in 1999, Wheels4Hope takes in donated vehicles and matches them with people who are striving towards self-sufficiency.
Surveys show that not having a car is a huge barrier for low-income wage earners. While the Triad has public transportation, schedules can be difficult to navigate for people who live in rural areas and for those who have to take multiple buses to get to their destination. Just imagine how your life would be if you had no car and had to take the bus everywhere with your children in tow. The thought is enough to send your blood pressure up! Getting to work, doctor’s appointments, going to the grocery store, childcare, and continuing one’s education are all difficult day-to-day tasks without having a vehicle. Wheels4Hope has been a bridge to help people pull themselves out of poverty. Transportation is key to economic stability and without it-life can be challenging.
The program collaborates with human service agencies to get families on the road to success.
These agencies include; The Interactive Resource Center, Reading Connections, Room At The Inn, Parenting Path, The Salvation Army, YWCA, Family Services of the Piedmont, Greensboro Urban Ministry, and many others.
How Wheels4Hope Works
- A car is donated to Wheels4Hope.
- The donor gets a tax write-off.
- Next, the vehicle is repaired by Wheels4Hope mechanics and volunteers.
- A Wheels4Hope partner agency refers a client and that client fills out an application and pays $500 for their car. Additionally, they also have to get insurance once the vehicle is ready.
- Wheels4Hope gets the car registered for the participant and gives them a 6-month/6,000 mile limited warranty.
The life-changing program has helped more than 45 hundred people get their own transportation in North Carolina. Wheels4Hope has locations in Cary and Greensboro. Furthermore, the Greensboro office has placed 45 cars with families this year and by the end of this year, they are hoping to have placed another 20 vehicles with families who are on their waiting list.
If you would like to donate a used car, give Wheels4Hope in Greensboro a call at 336-355-9130. Wheels4Hope accepts all car donations regardless of the condition. If you don’t have a car and would like to support the program, you can make a monetary donation on their website, Wheels4Hope.org.
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