Four Washington, DC-area families have cars thanks to a partnership among National Automobile Dealers Assoc. (NADA) headquarters, Vehicles for Change (VFC) and four area automotive dealerships.
Personal transportation such as this makes a positive difference in people’s lifestyles – enabling them to more readily commute to jobs, access necessities and enjoy leisure -- but this program also allows families to build their credit scores and financial literacy. Each family pays $950 for their vehicles, is given a 12-moth loan through Sandy Spring Bank and receives a 6-month/6,000-mile (9,660-km) warranty.
“Access to a vehicle – by having reliable personal transportation – is paramount to a familiy’s ability to thrive,” says NADA 2024 Chairman Gary Gilchrist. “Not only will the vehicles here today give the recipients opportunities they might not have otherwise, but they also help families build their credit.”
Sport Automotive Group in Silver Spring, MD, awarded a Toyota RAV4 to Candice McNair, a single mother of two daughters and a clerk in Annapolis, MD, who will use her vehicle to pursue her bachelor’s degree in health administration.
Nissan of Bowie in Bowie, MD, awarded a Nissan Versa to Toni Brown, a single mother of a teenage son and a medical secretary in Baltimore, who will use her vehicle to alleviate the financial burden of her daily commute and transportation to medical appointments.
Rosenthal Automotive Group based in Reston, VA, awarded a Nissan Altima to Tammy Carter, a single mother of two teenage daughters and a patient access specialist in Prince William County, VA, who will use her vehicle to decrease commuting time and transport her children to extracurricular activities.
Carter Myers Automotive Group based in Charlottesville, VA, awarded a Kia Rio to Adrianna Boyer, a single mother of two young children and a sales administrator in Loudon County, VA, who will use her vehicle to get her son engaged in afterschool activities.
“Every day, our members see firsthand the benefits, opportunities and freedoms a vehicle brings to its owner’s life and family,” says Mike Stanton, NADA president and CEO. “That’s why we’ve been engaged and supportive of VFC for several years and are excited to further embrace their mission this year.”
In addition to sourcing the donated vehicles, the NADA Foundation donated $5,000 per vehicle to cover the costs associated with awarding these cars, including refurbishing the vehicles and making necessary repairs.
