OnRamp donated two vehicles yesterday and one today, all to hard-working single moms! All three asked us to keep their identities and pictures private, but we can share a little background so you’ll see how God is using your generosity to bring FREEDOM to vulnerable moms and kids in our community. All three clients were nominated by leaders or congregants at their churches, Grace Bible, A&M Church of Christ, and New Life Baptist. We are THRILLED to see churches step forward to love their single parent families in tangible ways!
The first mom on our list received a Tier-2 Kia Sedona yesterday. She’s raising SEVEN kids and grandkids who depend on her, but lack of a vehicle proved a major obstacle. She was offered a better job in Caldwell than what she has in College Station, but couldn’t make the commute. Her career and her family’s prospects were held back by lack of a vehicle. OnRamp requires that clients demonstrate sufficient income for full insurance and fuel for at a least a few months before receiving a “Tier 1” vehicle - a car or van that will potentially last 5 full years. This client hasn’t reached that milestone yet, so we donated this Tier 2 van to her which should last her the additional months she needs to build up her employment history and minimum savings so we can reconsider her for a Tier 1. We love having this tiered system in our ministry because it gives us options to bless clients not quite ready for our full program. One interesting (and somewhat sad) note is that this Kia Sedona, donated to OnRamp some months ago, is actually a wonderful, comfortable van with relatively low miles… afflicted by a slowly dying transmission that Kia has decided it will no longer produce. There are no replacement transmissions available anywhere for any cost. We think the global supply chain issues are motivating manufacturers like Kia to drop their support of older cars (this is only a 2006!) So if you have an older vehicle, be aware that parts are becoming harder to find… or even impossible in cases like this.
The second mom on our list received arguably the CUTEST car we’ve ever donated - a blue 2008 Honda Fit. This car will likely run forever, and consume hardly any gas in the process. And it’s got a manual transmission meaning it’s practically theft-proof! I cannot recommend little, manual transmission Honda and Toyota cars like this highly enough! Have a new driver in the family or only a little cash for a new purchase, buy one of these, or the similar Civic or Corolla. Ideal! Fortunately, this mom knows how to drive a stick. This 1.5 liter 4-cylinder may be small, but it has EMPOWERED this woman to get to work, church, the store, and the doctor whenever she needs. This woman is such an example for all of us! She works full time and has successfully raised three kids. She now takes care of her own aging mom who has come to live with them. This car will bless a whole family!
Finally, our third mom received a very low mileage 2006 Corolla. Again, if you’re looking for an inexpensive, reliable vehicle, it’s hard to beat a COROLLA. This mom was one of the sweetest clients I’ve ever interacted with. She and her advocates showed up together to the tax office and she simply couldn’t stop thanking us for sharing God’s love with her in such a practical way. She raised SIX children on her own. She now works in food services at a local hospital, but had to wait ages on the bus to get to and from work. When she had weekend shifts, there was no bus since service doesn’t run on weekends. This woman is in her 60’s, but had to walk or bum rides just to hold down a job! She told me in the tax office line today that this Corolla equals FREEDOM for her.
These three single moms and their kids would not have received these vehicles - these tangible expressions of Gods’ Fatherly love for them - without the GENEROUS support of donors like you all! We are so grateful for you. Thanks are also in order to the whole OnRamp team, Christian Brothers Automotive, and everyone else who made this possible.
Finally, if you’d like to show your support for OnRamp around the community, our Spring ‘22 OnRamp shirts are now available for direct order from CC Creations. Click here to order yours. They’re $18.10 each, plus shipping (free local pickup also available). You can order this week or next, and then they’ll be produced and shipped.
