PLOVER (WAOW) -
A Stevens Point family received a very special gift today.
They drove off in a car that the community came together to
give them.
Valari Avilez is the mother of 3 children all under the age
of 11.
"They're a lively crew. Keep me busy. Single parent," said
Avilez.
Avilez and her children were the recipients of a fully
refurbished 2005 Chrysler Pacifica.
Pat's CARSTAR, a repair shop in Plover, was behind the
project.
It's all part of the national Recycled Rides program.
The goal is to provide cars to families in need.
"We've had other recipients come to us and say that without
the vehicle, you know, they don't know what they would have done. So, I'm
hoping this is the same stepping stone for this family," said Pat Arnold, owner
of Pat's CARSTAR.
Arnold says he received many donations from businesses in
the community that made this project possible.
"It's a blessing – it's a complete blessing to our family,"
said Avilez.
Avilez says the car she had before was given to her by a
family that went to her church. She says she was thankful for that but is
looking forward to her new car.
"I'm happy about this vehicle because it has heat that will
work right away. In our old vehicle, the heat, it would start to heat up as we
got to our destination, and so, it would be cold the whole ride to wherever we
were going," said Avilez.
Avilez says she's enjoyed seeing her children's reaction to
the new car.
"Oh, they're excited. They haven't gotten out yet. So, if I don't
know where they are, I'll have a clue," said Avilez.
This is the fifth year that Pat's CARSTAR has partnered with
CAP Services to provide a family with a car.
