Twenty-plus Central Florida body shops, dealerships and
garages that call themselves the "Auto Angels" gave five families the
ultimate Christmas present on Dec. 22 when they presented them with refurbished
vehicles.
"I've never had a feeling like this, and I'm 60
years old. I've had chill bumps all morning," Ray Gunder, owner of
Gunder's Auto Center, told The Ledger.
Gunder came up with the idea after hearing about Recycled
Rides, a nationwide awareness project whereby members of the National Auto Body
Council (NABC) repair and donate recycled vehicles to families in need in their
communities.
In the past few months, Gunder and his business
colleagues acquired five cars that needed to be refurbished. In some cases,
entire engines were replaced.
One family included a mother and her 13-year-old daughter
who has acute myeloid leukemia, an aggressive cancer that's rare in children. They received a fuel-efficient bright red 1999 Mazda Protege that will replace
their former gas-guzzling pickup and help to get the daughter to chemotherapy
sessions.
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Florida Repairers Donating Refurbished Vehicles in Time for Christmas