Good News Mountaineer Garage has been affected by recent articles
concerning a car leasing program that was supplying needy families
with cars that were unreliable or in bad repair. Outreach Coordinator
Arla Ralston, says Good News is not the program under scrutiny.
“In the past two years, 230 cars have been purchased for one
dollar by individuals in transition from welfare to work. When a car
is donated, our mechanics evaluate the car, perform necessary repairs
and preventive maintenance that might be appropriate like new belts.
A second independent garage checks the car over before it’s
released. Most cars are about 10 years old, but cars often are good
for 200,000 miles with care. We encourage buyers bring the car in
to be fixed if there’s a problem. We also give everyone a car
maintenance class, covering how to check fluids, changing oil and
a maintenance schedule.”
The program being discussed in local papers purchases autos from
dealers and leases them to individuals, unlike Good News, which sells
them for $1. Both programs receive funding from the Department of
Health and Human Resources.
Though Good News Mountaineer is only two years old, Ms. Ralston says
their follow up information indicates, “ 70% of the people who
got cars are off benefits. 95% are still working or still in school.
82% have jobs. And, 80% of them still have the car. Another 5% had
traded their car in for a better one. We hope this is the car that
will get them over the hump. Any car can develop problems, but if
one does, the buyer is encouraged to bring it back to the garage so
it can be fixed. The cars do change people’s lives. A 1994 Nissan
Sentra helped a single mother finish nursing school and get a good
job. A 1991 Subaru meant a young father could take a job 30 miles
from home. A 1996 Pontiac helped a mother get a job as a home health
aide and get off welfare.”
Donated cars can also be used to save money on taxes. On Saturday,
December 13th, the Teays Valley Ministerial Association is sponsoring
a car drop-off at the Teays Valley Community Center from 9am-2pm.
A second car drop off is scheduled Saturday, December 27th from 9am-5pm
at Covenant House Parking Lot, 600 Shrewsbury Street, just in time
for a 2003 tax write-off.
For more information call 1-866-GIVE CAR or visit www.goodnewsmountaineergarage.com
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