Wheels4Hope provides freedom to those in need - News & Observer
Linda Watlington will cut two hours off her daily commute to and from work this week driving her brand new Mercury Grand Marquis. Watlington is one of 18 people who received a restored, used car on Monday for $588 from Wheels4Hope, a faith-based nonprofit that repairs donated cars and recycles them back to people in need. Housing for New Hope, a Durham organization that works to help end homelessness in the Triangle, helped Watlington find a home in Durham and referred her to Wheels4Hope. “I thank God for Housing for New Hope,” she said. Cynthia Harris, coordinator for Housing for New Hope, said she referred about 11 people for a car from Wheels4Hope in the past year after making sure they could budget for the new responsibility. “Before we did the referral, we made sure Linda was ready to accept all the responsibilities that come along with housing and having a car. Wheels4Hope program coordinator Heather Smith said that in the past year the 15-year-old organization placed 145 cars with people and families who needed help getting around. They are spending hours on the bus and getting their kids on the bus to daycare then getting to work,” Smith said. Wheels4Hope handed out the keys to 18 people during a ceremony at its annual charity golf game Monday at Wildwood Green. Source: www.newsobserver.com
