Campaign seeking vehicles for victims of domestic violence
By Dennis Hill
Published in News on July 31, 2007 1:45 PM
From staff reports
A campaign to obtain and refurbish motor vehicles to donate to victims of domestic abuse is picking up steam in Wayne County, with organizers hoping to have at least a half-dozen ready for giveaway in October.
Rodney Waddell, a sales representative with Advantage Auto Stores, is working with car dealers and Auto Value Certified Service Centers in Wayne County to come up with road-worthy vehicles that will help families in need of transportation.
The Charity Cars program was founded a decade ago as a way to help give domestic violence victims a boost in restarting their lives. Deserving recipients will be chosen by a local domestic violence center. Charity Cars, which has its headquarters in Florida, pays the title fees and the first insurance installment to help the recipients get a head start.
Waddell said he hopes to have seven vehicles ready for giveaway in October. or from several part shops and mechanics.
A similar efforts are under way in the Jacksonville and Clinton areas, Waddell said. The drives are patterned after other similar campaigns that have sprung up across the country in recent years.
The donation of the vehicle is a tax writeoff for the donor.
Waddell said they are looking for vehicles no more than 10 years old and with about 125,000 miles on them but cars that are older could be accepted. He said he hopes to have the vehicles ready to give away at a ceremony in October, which is both National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and National Car Care Month.
For information about the Wayne County program, or the drives in Clinton or Jacksonville, call Waddell at 738-5755 or Advantage Auto at 734-2381 or 778-1118.