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DODGE CARAVAN

Wheels4Hope: Dependable Transportation For Low-Wage Earners

September 8, 2014 by admin 3 Comments

Updated August 19, 2019, to reflect office changes.

A North Carolina-based nonprofit is making a difference for thousands of residents.

Wheels4Hope.org
Chrysler and Dodge minivans await new owners.

Without a car, low-wage earners must resort to using public transportation — if that option is even available to them. In a pinch, they may call for Uber or Lyft, hail a cab, or ask a neighbor or a friend for a ride. Living without a vehicle can be extremely difficult for some, which is why “Wheels4Hope” is making a difference for thousands of North Carolina families.

Laying a Foundation

Founded at West Raleigh Presbyterian Church in 2000, Wheels4Hope was set in motion by a law professor (John Weistart) and a car guy/engineer (Chris Simes) to respond to what they saw was a pressing need among people of limited means. These men understood that without a vehicle certain pursuits we may take for granted — such as getting to work, keeping doctor’s appointments, or pursuing job training — are just not possible. For transportation=restricted individuals, the cycle of poverty might remain unbroken unless partners, including the faith-based community, interceded.

Wheels4Hope.orgThe two men organized Wheels4Hope as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and began their work. Wheels4Hope now teams with local churches and business partners to provide vehicles for needy families. The entire community also provides assistance with cash donations and vehicles — working or non-working. Most donated vehicles are repaired by volunteers and then sold to eligible families for a flat rate of $500. Their cost is usually thousands of dollars below the vehicle’s market value.

In 2009, the organization brought in a new board of directors and secured a corporate sponsor, Carquest Auto Parts. Wheels4Hope also moved to a larger garage.  These changes have resulted in an increase in car donations and placement vehicles.

Reconstructing Broken Lives

On Sept. 1, 2014, the vehicle donation total for Wheels4Hope stood at 1,890. One of the recent recipients was LaSherron, a single mother of three. On a Saturday morning in August, LaSherron rose early to share some good news with her children: their prayers for a vehicle had been answered and the family would take possession of a clean 2002 Honda Odyssey EXL minivan that morning.

Delivering vehicles to waiting families is a very public affair. When it came time to bless LaSherron, Wheels4Hope worked with a local partner, Cars and Coffee Raleigh Grande, to present the Honda to her family. Hundreds of people witnessed the car blessing, accompanied by speeches, the presentation of car keys, photo opportunities, and interviews.


Wheels4Hope.org
It’s smiles all around for LaSherron’s family.

Presenting Wheels4Hope

For LaSherron, referred by the Catholic Charities of Raleigh — Support Circle Program, getting a vehicle meant that she could now go to work and school without relying on public transportation. Mobility issues that had long plagued the family were ended.

Auto Trends reached out to Wheels4Hope to learn more about this impactful organization. Carol House, External Relations and Compliance Coordinator for the nonprofit provided additional background details. She noted that Wheels4Hope is currently serving the Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, et al) and Triad (Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point) regions.

When I noted that I had discovered a local Craigslist ad for a pair of Wheels4Hope vehicles, Ms. House explained that not all donated cars meet the program’s requirements and are, therefore, sold to the public. The proceeds from each sale are then poured into the program. Public sale vehicles are available on Tuesdays and Thursday in the Triangle and on Mondays in the Triad — those locations are listed at the end of this story.


Wheels4Hope.org
LaTonya’s family holds the key to mobility freedom.

Another one of the nearly 2,000 families and individuals helped by Wheels4Hope included LaTonya, referred by The Carying Place, a Christian ministry. LaTonya, who works full time and cares for her two pre-teen children, took possession of a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan. The vehicle arrived just in time as she could no longer afford the payments on her leased vehicle that was about to be repossessed. LaTonya revealed, “I am able to put my kids in activities and provide them with transportation to get there or get my kids the tutoring they need.”

When her husband abandoned the family, Tara was left to raise three children (ages 2, 3 and 11) by herself. The family soon found themselves homeless and trying to maintain a 1997 Dodge Caravan in need of a new catalytic converter, something they had to have to pass inspection but could not afford. The Carying Place referred Tara to Wheels4Hope, which presented the family with a 2001 Chrysler Town & Country.

Tara’s family now has an apartment of their own and mom has secured employment. She calls her vehicle a “blessing from God,” with a nonprofit organization, community partners, businesses, and people like you making it possible.


Wheels4Hope.org
Tara responds with joy at her car blessing.

Making a Difference

If you are interested in purchasing a vehicle offered for public sale, the following addresses and phone numbers should be consulted. Each location is staffed by volunteer salespeople.

Wheels4Hope Triangle
411 E. Durham Rd
Cary, NC 27511
919-832-1941

Wheels4Hope Triad
4006 Burlington Road
Greensboro, NC 27405
336-355-9130


Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. Logo courtesy of the Wheels4Hope.org. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: Special Tagged With: CAR BLESSING, CAR DONATION, CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY, DODGE CARAVAN, DURHAM, GREENSBORO, HONDA ODYSSEY, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, Raleigh, WHEELS4HOPE

Chrysler Marks Minivan 25th Anniversary

March 18, 2009 by admin 1 Comment

Chrysler Minivans
Chrysler’s family of minivans first rolled out in 1983 as 1984 models. To celebrate the Silver Anniversary of these iconic people haulers, Chrysler is rolling out two very special edition models to mark the occasion.

If you had choose one vehicle from Chrysler produced over the past twenty five years that best represents the automaker which one would you choose? Jeep Wrangler? Dodge Ram? Chrysler 300? Something else?

Personally, I would choose the company’s fleet of minivans which have been sold under Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth (RIP) brands since first launched in 1984. These vehicles launched an entirely new segment of cars, people haulers that were compact, fuel efficient and reasonably priced.

Minivans Usurp Station Wagons As Family Car Fav

If anything, credit the minivan with putting to death the American station wagon, itself the favorite people hauler of the post-WWII generation.

Chrysler LLC is marking the 25th anniversary of its bread and butter vehicles by rolling out special-edition 2009 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan 25th Anniversary Edition minivans offering what they say are premium interior features, unique exterior accents and new exterior paint colors.

Since Chrysler began its minivan development more than 25 years ago, no competitor has innovated as many minivan-first features as Chrysler and Dodge minivans,” said Mike Accavitti, Director–Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge Brands, Chrysler LLC. “With numerous minivan segment-exclusive features like Stow `n Go seating and storage, dual-DVD entertainment system and an unsurpassed fuel economy rating, it is no surprise that 2009 Chrysler and Dodge minivans together command more than 40 percent of the U.S. minivan market.

Concerning the special edition models Chrysler has this to say about them:

2009 Chrysler Town & Country 25th Anniversary Edition

The 2009 Chrysler Town & Country 25th Anniversary Edition minivans feature a 3.8-liter V-6 engine and fluid six-speed automatic transmission. In addition, this special-edition Chrysler Town & Country features an even more luxurious interior. New interior combinations in Dark Slate Gray and Light Shale are paired with Dark Maple Burl trim and satin finishes on the instrument panel and doors to provide added detail. New monotone Dark Slate Gray or Light Shale seats feature perforated leather and are finished with French-seamed seat stitching. Additional standard features include the minivan-first Stow `n Go seating and storage system, UConnect tunes, minivan-first second- and third-row nine-inch dual-DVD entertainment system, LED lighting with ambient halo light ring, heated first- and second-row seating and UConnect tunes.

Exterior equipment on the 2009 Chrysler Town & Country 25th Anniversary Edition includes the availability of all-new Mineral Gray Metallic exterior paint, unique nine-spoke 17-inch aluminum wheels with Mineral Gray Metallic painted pockets, chrome belt and body-side moldings, roof rack with cross bars and “25th Anniversary Edition” badging.

Available features on this special-edition 2009 Chrysler Town & Country include segment-exclusive UConnect studios SIRIUS Backseat TV with Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network Mobile, UConnect gps, all-new Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Path (RCP) accident-avoidance systems and the 4.0-liter aluminum V-6 engine that achieves a minivan-best fuel economy label of 17 city / 25 highway mpg.

2009 Dodge Grand Caravan 25th Anniversary Edition

The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan 25th Anniversary Edition minivans feature a fluid six-speed automatic transmission and powerful 4.0-liter aluminum V-6 engine with a minivan-best fuel economy label of 17 city / 25 highway mpg as standard equipment. Inside, the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan 25th Anniversary Edition adds even more enhancements to the contemporary Dodge interior. Dark Slate Gray or Light Shale interior combinations complement the sporty interior of the Dodge brand’s fifth-generation minivan. A unique combination of Blackwood on the instrument panel and doors accent satin finishes and provide a sense of added detail. An updated instrument panel includes a new Dodge-specific four-gauge cluster, additional satin finishes and a glove box with Blackwood trim. New monotone Dark Slate Gray or Light Shale seats feature perforated leather with French-seamed seat stitching. Additional standard features include minivan-first Stow `n Go seating and storage system, heated first- and second-row seating, UConnect studios SIRIUS Satellite Radio and LED lighting with ambient halo light ring.

Additional available equipment on the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan 25th Anniversary Edition includes the availability of all-new Mineral Gray Metallic exterior paint, new sport-tuned suspension with unique five-spoke 17-inch aluminum wheels featuring Mineral Gray painted pockets, chrome belt moldings, fog lamps, roof rack with cross bars and “25th Anniversary Edition” badging.

Some of the available features on this special-edition 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan include minivan-first second- and third-row nine-inch dual-DVD entertainment system, UConnect studios SIRIUS Backseat TV with Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network Mobile, UConnect gps, all-new BSM and RCP accident-avoidance systems.


See Also — List of Best Midsize Sedans for 2012

Source: Chrysler LLC

Filed Under: New Models Tagged With: CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY, Chrysler Voyager, DODGE CARAVAN, DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, MINIVANS, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER, UCONNECT

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