Working Wheels, a locally based non-profit that provides affordable, reliable transportation for local families in need, is celebrating ten years of work in Western North Carolina.
On Thursday, August 8th, the Working Wheels organization celebrated with donors, clients, employees, board members, and partners at the New Belgium Brewhouse. Over 200 community members joined together to reflect on ten years of diligent and important work, while also considering how Working Wheels might grow their impact in WNC over the next ten years.
Jen Hampton, a Working Wheels Vehicle Purchase Program Participant from 2019, spoke at the event and stated “I sincerely believe that most of the accomplishments I’ve made in the nearly 5 years since receiving the gift of independence through my Working Wheels car wouldn’t have been possible without that generous donation. It really helped me jump-start my life and start all over on a solid foundation. I encourage anyone who has the means to do so to donate to Working Wheels in whatever way you can. It may not seem like much to some, but to so many of us, your gift will make all the difference in the world.” Jen was referred to Working Wheels by Helpmate, an Asheville-based non-profit supporting survivors of domestic violence.
Working Wheels Executive Director Jamie Beasley stated, “We are celebrating so many things – the generosity of our donors; our partnerships with local nonprofit organizations, mechanics, and towing companies; a dedicated and hard-working staff; and the trust of nearly 1,000 program participants. But the most important thing we are celebrating is that feeling you get when your car starts. We are celebrating the promises dependable vehicles enable us to keep and the potential in us they unleash. We are celebrating the places we can go and the people we can visit. We are celebrating making it to class or to work on time, being able to get to your medical appointments, run to the grocery store, offer a friend a ride, or go out and do something fun with your family.”
The event was supported financially by AVL Technologies, Pine Gate Renewables, and Mosiac Community Lifestyle Realty, with Biltmore as the flagship sponsor.
Working Wheels recently celebrated its 300th Purchase Program sale and is approaching its 700th client served through the Discounted Repair Program.
Working Wheels collaborates with 15 regional partners to identify the program participants who are given the opportunity to purchase vehicles for $620. Generous community members donate all vehicles sold through Working Wheels. Working Wheels mechanics evaluate donated cars to determine what work is required to provide a reasonable level of confidence in the vehicle. These sales include a limited warranty to guard against more expensive repairs and provide peace of mind for the program participants.
Working Wheels’ Vehicle Repair Program can help families keep their cars running by offering low-cost auto repairs through a network of local mechanics. Repair Program clients are referred to Working Wheels through partner agencies. Participants in this program pay 10% of the repair cost, not to exceed $100.
Vehicle donations to Working Wheels are tax deductible. The process is simple, and the impact is real.
To read more about Working Wheels, please visit www.workingwheelswnc.org, where you can learn about donating a car and find a complete list of referral partners for both the Purchase Program and the Repair Program.
Written by Working Wheels.