Program delivers hope for local families

PALMER — It’s not a brand new car. It’s not fast or flashy. If the past is any prologue, though, for a needy family in the Valley without transportation, it’s going to mean a whole lot.

“We’ve had as many as 60 applicants, and every one of their stories is probably one that’s deserving,” said Don Bennice, president and CEO of Alaska Family Services, of the Wheels of Hope Program.

Over the past four years, Wheels of Hope has given a refurbished used car to a Valley family in need. It’s a partnership between AFS, the Valley’s NAPA dealers and a coalition of auto care centers.

“They purchase the car, they make sure the vehicle is in good working order and then donate it to AFS, and we give it out to a needy family in the Valley,” Bennice said.

This year’s car is green a 2003 Ford Explorer. It’s not hard to see how a car can be a godsend to a needy family — just imagine trying to do what you do every day in the Valley, but without a car.

“One year we had a snigle mom with some children, one year we had a family that had several special needs individuals within that family,” Bennice said.

If you’re intrested, you can nominate yourself or someone you know who is in need. Applicaiotns can be picked up at AFS or any NAPA AutoCare Center.

Applications are due back at 4 p.m., Dec. 16. Four days later, on Dec. 20, AFS will announce the winner and, in a ceremony at the old Carrs mall in Palmer, hand over the keys and the pink slip.

“We usually have a little ceremony,” Bennice said.

Four days can be a tight turnaround for the committee reviewing applications, especially when dozens of them come in.

“I have to say it’s a very, very difficult decision,” Bennice said.

Contact Andrew Wellner at 352-2270 or andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com.