With the average price of a used car currently around $31,000, many people are unable to afford even the most modest vehicles. For a family of seven from Rutland, these high prices have pumped the brakes on their ability to live self-sufficiently. Thankfully, a generous donor presented this family with a life-changing gift that will put them on the road to self-sufficiency: a donated car.
Danielle Quintana’s family was awarded a 2015 Chrysler Town & Country minivan from the car-donation nonprofit Good News Garage. The Burlington-based organization was founded in 1996 as one of the nation’s first charitable car donation programs. Over the last 28 years, it has helped car donors give over 5,500 vehicles to neighbors in need.
Upon being handed the keys to her new-to-her car, Quintana said, “My husband and I have five little girls. This is such a blessing. Because of you, we will be able to do more as a family, and take our children to school and sports. I can’t even express how blessed we are.”
According to Good News Garage, post-pandemic car prices have meant that many lower-income individuals and families are unable to afford reliable vehicles, restricting their ability to obtain steady employment, bring their kids to school or childcare, and live self-sufficiently here in New England. The organization also says the need for donated vehicles is at a critical level. Car donations are down and being far outpaced by the demand and need for reliable used cars.
Good News Garage awards cars to Vermont residents through a partnership with the state’s Reach Up agency. Car recipients must be Reach Up participants to qualify for cars.
For more information or to donate, visit: GoodNewsGarage.org or dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/reachup.
