In a heartwarming Christmas surprise for a group of single mothers in Minneapolis, a dozen women were handed the keys to their very own free cars on Tuesday. The generous gift was made possible through the Wheels for Women program, a community initiative by the Newgate School, a nonprofit offering auto repair training to underserved young adults.
The cars were donated to the school and restored by students as part of the program, giving single mothers like Ondrea Watts of St. Paul a much-needed boost. Watts, a mother of four, received a minivan to help ease the challenges she faces daily.
“It’s tough to get all the kids ready, get on a bus, and manage everything,” Watts shared. “This gift is the miracle my family and I have been praying for. It’s everything we’ve been asking for.”
Wheels for Women has made a lasting impact since its inception, giving away over 700 vehicles to individuals in need since the 1990s. Kelly Gulbrandson from Apple Autos, a key partner in the program, expressed the powerful effect the gifts have on the recipients. “When they see the cars and receive the keys, the relief is evident—it’s like a weight is lifted off their shoulders,” he said.
In addition to the cars, each recipient also received thoughtful gifts, including self-care bags, sponsored by Tareen Dermatology. Dr. Mohiba Tareen, who provided the gift bags, shared, “As a mother, you often take care of everyone else and put yourself last. It’s important to take a moment to care for yourself.”
For Watts, the first thing she plans to do with her new minivan is pick up her children from school. “It’s going to be amazing. They’ll see me outside picking them up and they’ll be in tears—happy, blessed tears. This is beyond my wildest dreams.”
To qualify for the Wheels for Women program, single mothers had to be employed or enrolled in school full-time, earning under $35,000 a year.
Source: CBS News