Cars 4 Heroes

Cars 4 Christmas

Cars 4 Christmas is a nonprofit organization that provides basic transportation to individuals and families who may not otherwise be able to obtain a vehicle. The program helps people facing difficult circumstances gain access to reliable transportation for work, medical care, family responsibilities, and other everyday needs. 

The Need

More than one-third of America’s population lives outside urbanized areas. Nearly 40 percent of the country’s transit-dependent population, primarily senior citizens, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals, resides in rural areas. Yet in many of these communities, public and community transportation is limited or unavailable.

Growth in the U.S. economy has created many new jobs. Two out of three are located in suburban areas, and in some cities, more than 50 percent of these jobs are outside the range of public transportation.

For millions of Americans, the availability of community and public transportation can determine their ability to access the healthcare system and receive necessary medical care.

Whether someone is trying to reach life-sustaining dialysis treatments or ensuring a healthy future for a child through routine screenings, people need a way to get to their medical appointments.

How and Why Did the Organization Begin?

Cars 4 Christmas was started to provide free basic transportation to less fortunate individuals and families who are unable to obtain it on their own.

Today’s world often requires the average person to have personal transportation. This has been the case across the U.S. for several decades, as Americans have based important family, career, and overall life decisions on the ability to transport themselves.

Just as companies rely on computer technology to function properly, many individuals rely on an automobile to manage their daily lives.

Until 1996, Cars 4 Christmas founder Terry Franz worked in the automotive industry, helping create specialized lending plans to assist individuals in obtaining cars when it was otherwise impossible. Many of the people Terry helped had poor credit or lower incomes because of life-altering situations, such as having a seriously ill child at home.

Terry often saw illness, disability, or serious family matters prevent people from purchasing even basic used cars. In 1996, Terry decided to act on an idea: if there was no way for a person in need to buy a car, maybe there was a way to give them one.

Terry researched the issue and discovered that while various shelters and government organizations could provide jobs, homes, or food, they could not solve a lack of transportation.

Believing that most people can help themselves if they can get from point A to point B, Terry thought the automotive industry would be willing to support a community effort to provide basic transportation. He has since created a network involving the automotive industry, local individuals, and the media to provide hundreds of vehicles to deserving individuals and families.

Who Do They Serve and Why?

Every day, people’s lives are turned upside down by unexpected tragedies, illnesses, and other serious circumstances beyond their control. The effects of these situations can be staggering and may go unappreciated by those who are not currently experiencing a life-altering event.

While society is often willing to help less fortunate individuals and families, it can be difficult to imagine the reality of sudden life changes until they happen to you.

Cars 4 Christmas is there to help soften the difficult blows that life can bring.

Below is an excerpt from a letter received by the organization that illustrates the type of people who may benefit from its services:

“I am the Team Leader for the 7 East oncology unit at The Cancer Institute located within Research Medical Center. I have a 19-year-old girl who was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia this fall. She was going to college when she was diagnosed with cancer. Her parents have come from Samoa to see her through the transplant. Her family has limited funds. We have arranged for lodging at the Hope Lodge. Unfortunately, we cannot give them the one thing they really need: a car.

This situation has touched us all in a way that is indescribable. This patient is in a battle to survive. Having adequate transportation to get her to her appointments and treatments would be extremely helpful. Please help if you can."