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To some, a car might seem like a must, but to others, it’s a luxury they may never envision getting.
Bruce and Penny Stranaghan from Integra Tire Kelowna have worked for the past six years to make the dream of having a vehicle a reality for many happy people.
In that time, they’ve given out seven cars—all which were donated to them and repaired in-house—to people in need.
On Monday, they added to that list with their first ever triple giveaway.
Penny explained that having transportation isn’t always a choice, and not having it can be an obstacle.
Each eligible hopeful must fill out an application and go through an interview process. They also have to have their licence, and the ability to insure and maintain the car.
All recipients are referred to them from local organizations and all already in the midst of improving their lives.
This time around, the Stranaghans handed over the keys to a 2005 Ford Taurus, a 2006 Pontaic G6 and a 2003 Ford Focus.
In attendance was a couple from Osoyoos who had donated the Taurus after hearing about the program through the media.
“It just feels really good to help someone else,” said Penny. “We’ve all been there, we’ve all had challenges and we’ve all faced hardships. We know what it’s like.
“To know that you’re not alone in this world and when someone can just do something to maybe ease the hardship you’re having in your life, remove that obstacle, it just gives faith again, gives you hope, that there is someone out there and there are safety nets that will catch you if you’re falling.”
At 26, Crystal Matheson now has her first car thanks to The Carma Project.
She said she found about the program through her counsellor at the Elizabeth Fry Society after expressing how difficult it had been for her travelling everywhere on a bike.
For her job doing in-home tiling, her boss took her to work every day.
“It was impossible to get a car. There’s no way I could afford one, like I’m barely keeping afloat right now,” she said. “This means everything to me. Honestly, now, I can get any job that I want.”
Growing up, she said her mom never had a car, so she’s never known what it’s like to have easy transportation.
“To have my own car, to be able to get up in the morning, go get gas and to be able to go where ever I want to go, that is going to be the most freeing feeling I’ve ever experienced in my whole life,” Matheson said. “Now I can actually excel and go further, be where I want to be and do what I want to do.”
Laura Gorby, a 25-year-old mother of two, cried as her Pontiac G6 rolled up.
She said when she went to Integra for a second interview, the Stranaghan's surprised her by saying she had been chosen.
“My brain shut off because it was so overwhelming,” she said. “It was like a dream.”
Gorby said having a car still seems surreal and she’s excited to be able to return to school and get the education she needs to afford a better place.
“It’s a total game-changer, this means we’re getting out of the toxic surroundings that we’re in right now to somewhere that will actually be our home. It’s opening so many doors for us,” said Gorby. “If I can get to school it means I can get a really great job for myself and to support my children.”
“This is from point A to my future.”
Kennedy Miller and Micheal O’Brien, who have three sons, were the last lucky recipients.
Miller also plans to return to school and O’Brien said having a car will make getting to work much easier.
“It’s really hard to get anything done and plan stuff when you have to rely on other people,” he said. “I’m just really grateful and thankful that stuff like this happens.
“It gives you hope and opens your eyes that there are good people out there and there are ways to get help when you need it.”
Besides the new car, many other local businesses stepped up to donate gas gift cards, money for insurance and food baskets. For more information, visit The Carma Project website.
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