Working Wheels, a local non-profit that provides affordable, reliable transportation for local families in need, has raised nearly $400,000 to purchase 30 replacement cars for survivors of Hurricane Helene who lost their car in the flood.
The first 7 cars are on track to be matched with local families by the end of December.
Jamie Beasley, Executive Director, shared, “The need for replacement cars is completely overwhelming. Estimates are in thousands of people who lost their car in the flood. Now, they have no way to get back on their feet – to go to work, take their kids to activities, pick up groceries from the store, or visit their doctors.”
Thanks to the support of the Community Foundation of WNC, Pisgah Investments Foundation, Inc., Impact Health, WNC Bridge Foundation, Hunter Hometown Foundation, and dozens of individual donors, Working Wheels is able to help at least 30 individuals with replacement cars to get back on the road.
With the funds collected, representatives from Working Wheels are purchasing 10 to 12 year-old Hondas and Toyotas with 120,000-160,000 miles. Working Wheels assesses each vehicle, performs pre-sale repairs if necessary, processes the sale with the DMV, and stands by the program participants with a 3-month warranty after the sale.
Beasley stated, “The beautiful thing about this recovery is that so many people are helping in whatever way they can. This feels like something we can do.”
If you are hearing this information and want to apply for a replacement car, please visit the Working Wheels website (below) and fill out the application form.
If you are hearing this information and want to help Working Wheels do more, please consider donating funds and cars to this initiative at
www.workingwheelswnc.org/hurricane-helene-relief-fund.
To read more about Working Wheels, please visit www.workingwheelswnc.org.