A Burlington nonprofit gifted one single mom of two kids, who has gone over a year without transportation, a new car on Friday.Good News Garage takes donated vehicles, refurbishes them and donates them back to people in the community. Many of the people they donate these cars to are referred to them by the Department for Children and Families ‘Reach Up’ program. Tanya Tenney, of Essex, put her name in for some help. She’d been on the waiting list for a few months until last week when she received the call that she’d be getting a car. “It’s been difficult,” Tenney said. “You’re trying to get the kids to and from school not knowing if you’ll have a car. Being able to get to and from is a great feeling – to know I can actually accomplish that.”Tenney also is trying to launch her mobile dog grooming business, but it’s been difficult to do without a reliable way to get around. Her focus now is to bring her skills to people who also struggle with get to and from, like she once had. This donation is only possible when people bring their cars to Good News Garage, but the nonprofit said donations are the lowest they’ve ever been. “Inflation in general has slowed down donations,” Tom Kupfer, marketing manager with Good News Garage, said. “Unfortunately, fewer people are donating cars because they’re getting a better offer if they trade it in or sell it.”The nonprofit has been able to make this happen for decades with the help of partners like Ascension Lutheran Church. Church leaders said in their time working with Good News Garage, they’ve seen too many stories similar to Tanya’s, and that the current economic situation is increasing the need.Anyone interested in donating to Good News Garage can visit their website or call 877-GIVE-AUTO.
A Burlington nonprofit gifted one single mom of two kids, who has gone over a year without transportation, a new car on Friday.
Good News Garage takes donated vehicles, refurbishes them and donates them back to people in the community. Many of the people they donate these cars to are referred to them by the Department for Children and Families ‘Reach Up’ program.
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Tanya Tenney, of Essex, put her name in for some help. She’d been on the waiting list for a few months until last week when she received the call that she’d be getting a car.
“It’s been difficult,” Tenney said. “You’re trying to get the kids to and from school not knowing if you’ll have a car. Being able to get to and from is a great feeling – to know I can actually accomplish that.”
Tenney also is trying to launch her mobile dog grooming business, but it’s been difficult to do without a reliable way to get around. Her focus now is to bring her skills to people who also struggle with get to and from, like she once had.
This donation is only possible when people bring their cars to Good News Garage, but the nonprofit said donations are the lowest they’ve ever been.
“Inflation in general has slowed down donations,” Tom Kupfer, marketing manager with Good News Garage, said. “Unfortunately, fewer people are donating cars because they’re getting a better offer if they trade it in or sell it.”
The nonprofit has been able to make this happen for decades with the help of partners like Ascension Lutheran Church. Church leaders said in their time working with Good News Garage, they’ve seen too many stories similar to Tanya’s, and that the current economic situation is increasing the need.
Anyone interested in donating to Good News Garage can visit their website or call 877-GIVE-AUTO.
