JOPLIN, Mo. —
Through her tears, Mary Rountree explained what a new car for her brother means to her and her family.
“He can go get his medication, or just a bottle of Coke.” she said. “You don’t think about it, the store’s across town and he’d have to ask for a ride. He has his freedom back.”
Her brother, Martin Hoyt, received one of 18 repaired and refurbished cars Saturday from Cars 4 Heroes. In addition to those receiving cars, guests gathered on the Joplin NAPA Auto Center parking lot for food, music and to get an autograph from two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip. Waltrip also personally invited guests Rob Richards and his wife, Brenda Wright Richards, to Kansas City for a visit to the races.
Cars 4 Heroes, a nonprofit group based in Kansas City, collects donated automobiles, repairs them and gives them to veterans and those in need. All the vehicles given away Saturday went to people like Hoyt — veterans and their families who suffered losses in the May 22 tornado.
Hoyt lost his home, car and a close friend in the storm. Afterward, he moved into an RV behind his sister’s house. He has recently moved to a new home, and says he is “so honored” to have been given a car.
Terry Franz, the “Car Santa” with Cars 4 Heroes, said he’s explained many times that the organization does not run a contest; recipients do not win cars, they are given to them. Cars are given to those in need who, hopefully, will use the vehicle to restart their lives.
“The car is a tool,” Franz said. “We try to fit an immediate need.”
Cars are collected at independent auto repair locations around the Kansas City area. Many are in poor condition and are used for scrap. But others are repaired with labor donated by the shops and automobile repair students, and parts donated by NAPA Auto Care Center.
For many who received the 18 cars in Joplin on Saturday, the cars will also mean a chance to get out of the house again.
With his new van equipped with a lift, Ronald King, a wheelchair-bound veteran, will now be able to visit his family to watch football games.
“It’s a miracle,” said his daughter, Margie King. “He needs one with a lift, and they had one with a lift.”
Many recipients were surprised, not expecting the sudden gift. All expressed their gratitude.
“Our family just says thank you,” Rountree said. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Know someone who needs a car?
Submit a friend, neighbor or family member to receive a car from Cars 4 Christmas or Cars 4 Heroes at www.cars4christmas.org.
Local News
Related Photos
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Dennis Tyndall and his mother, Margie King, look over a car donated to Tyndall on Saturday by Cars 4 Heroes. Tyndall’s grandfather, Ron King, also received a van with a wheelchair lift. The Kansas City-based organization provided 18 cars to veterans and their families who were affected by the May 22 tornado. GLOBE | ROGER NOMER
Discussion
Cars 4 Heroes provides 18 cars to Joplin tornado victims
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