CARSTAR’s Wichita shops recently gifted a refurbished 2007 Chrysler 300 to Megan Chamberlain, a single mother and domestic violence survivor, through the National Auto Body Council’s (NABC) Recycled Rides program. State Farm donated the salvage vehicle to the program, and CARSTAR repaired and refurbished it.
Catholic Charities selected Chamberlain from their Harbor House program for the car donation.
“I feel like this is still all a dream,” Chamberlain said. “I am so grateful to be chosen for this gift and am truly speechless.”
“When CARSTAR Collision Specialists approached us about the Recycled Rides project, we were very excited,” said Joyce Mahoney, Harbor House program director. “Providing reliable transportation to a hard-working woman so she can better her life fits our mission of building strong families.”
Chamberlain’s current vehicle has extremely high mileage and constant mechanical problems. She is currently earning her teaching degree and is in need of reliable transportation for school, work and daily errands.
“We are so excited for this opportunity for Megan,” said Mahoney. “She really needs a dependable form of transportation. Megan has incredible internal drive to make life happen for herself and her young child.“
Steven Fielding, general manager for CARSTAR Collision Specialists, stated that body shops frequently see cars that are written-off or totaled by either the owner or the insurance company and sent to salvage yards.
“Many times, all these vehicles need is some body work, mechanical repairs or TLC to get them road ready and safe to drive,” said Fielding. “We are grateful that State Farm Insurance generously donated a salvage car for our shop to repair.”
The Chrysler had been in a minor collision and was in a local salvage yard. The staff at CARSTAR Collision Specialists West volunteered their time to repair it.
Fielding said this is the second time that CARSTAR has partnered with Catholic Charities on a Recycled Rides project.
“Repairing this car has been a labor of love,” he said. “Our staff worked hard to make the donation a reality.”
Added Kevin Gamble, State Farm community specialist, “Recycled Rides provides a great opportunity for State Farm to be a good neighbor and meet a need in our community. We are pleased to be able to make this exciting donation possible.”
Fielding said many other businesses donated parts and services to make the vehicle giveaway possible, including: LKQ Corporation, Keystone Automotive Industries, Cintas, The Windshield Shop, Scholfield Honda, Parks Motors, Auto Zone and Arrow Wrecker.
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