The Finish Line: 2007 Labor Day Program
Our thanks to everyone in the community who supported this year’s Labor Day program. Because of your support, Wheels was able to help 50 families – a 150% increase from 2006. Forty families have received, or are in the process of receiving, vehicles; eight received assistance with repairs to existing vehicles; one received car payment assistance; and another received assistance with a down payment on a vehicle. Recipients were referred to Wheels by social service agencies and employers.

 Thank You, Wheels’ Supporters!
Special thanks to Bob Wilson Dodge, which donated three vehicles; Bill Currie Ford, Friendly Kia of Pasco; Discount Motor Mall; Rennin Imports; Niko's Auto Sales; and all of our individual donors.

The Labor Day program would not have been possible without the generous support of the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County. It provided a $10,000 matching grant, which was met with assistance from Altrusa of Tampa Bay; Sam’s Club of Northdale; the New Tampa Rotary; Achieve Total Fitness; Pragmata Consulting; and many individual donors.

This year’s program benefited tremendously from the direction of Karen Olsen, the Wheels of Success Operations Manager who joined us a short time before the event. The volunteers and Board members who assisted with the event were also indispensable.

 
 2006 Labor Day Success Story: Doo
 
Doo, a recipient at last year’s Labor Day event, received the title to her car during this year’s program. She was referred to Wheel of Success through Metropolitan Ministries after leaving an abusive relationship. She was working full time and taking classes in the evenings for her RN degree when her school unexpectedly moved its location. Doo was no longer able to continue her classes because she lacked transportation.

After Wheels provided Doo with a vehicle, she continued her studies and graduated this spring. She is now working at Tampa General Hospital and earning a salary that is three times the salary she was making before her life was uprooted. And as an RN, she is also providing much needed support to our community.

 
 Make a Difference

Wheels of Success does more than give out cars. We help with car repairs, tag/title/insurance, car payments and down payments. Any donation, no matter how small, can make a huge difference. $35 transfers a title; $50 buys a tire or battery. Please consider making an online donation or donating your vehicle to help another family stay on the road.

Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe at: www.wheelsofsuccess.org

Coming Full Circle
Wheels had two reasons to celebrate Labor Day this year – the ability to help new families, and the chance to see 2006 recipients receive the title to the vehicles they received during last year’s program. This latter group is a shining example of the Wheels program in action. We provided assistance to them last year, and they met all program goals over the following 12 months, including maintaining employment and fulfilling the pay-it-forward components of the program. Read about two recipients below.
 
2007 Labor Day Success Story: Delonda
Delonda, the mother of five children, was referred to Wheels of Success through our employer-partnership program with The Casper Company/McDonalds. She was working full time for The Caspar Company and was considered a reliable employee worthy of advancement to management. The only thing standing in her way was a lack of transportation. Through the partnership between Wheels and Casper’s, she received a vehicle that Casper paid to repair. This allowed her to receive a promotion and the accompanying pay increase, raising her family’s standard of living.
 
Made possible by generous support from the Children's Board of Hillsborough County.

Wheels of Success thanks AAA Auto Club South for its continued support, and for providing gas in the tank and a year of AAA membership to our Labor Day recipients.