Asking community to nominate candidates in need, offering free car inspection and repair
Today’s Car Care is asking for the community’s help, in order to lend a helping hand of their own.
The locally-owned Luling auto parts and repair shop is accepting nominations of those who might be in need of an assist this holiday season, and the person selected will be the beneficiary of a car repair and safety inspection completely free of charge.
Two years ago, Mericka Hill of Boutte was chosen after suffering serious injuries in an accident that left her financially drained and unable to pay for car repairs. The mother of three was nominated and ultimately chosen for the prize, and now the shop is set to step up to help another.
“You have a lot of things going on during the holiday season, with toy drives and things like that, and we wanted to do something unique,” said Bailie Bourg of Today’s Car Care. “You have a lot of people that may have medical bills or just lost a job, and may really need car repairs but be unable to afford them. You need a car to get to and from work … we thought this would be the best way to use our skills to help someone.”
Bourg said those nominating a person to be the recipient should give a descriptive account of the person’s story and note why he or she would be a good candidate. A synopsis of what the nominated person’s car might need to get back on the road, if known, also helps.
“Obviously, if it’s a car that doesn’t have a chance of starting, it’s one thing,” Bourg said. “But we want to do the best we can to get them reliable transportation to get around.”
For Hill, the repairs she received after being chosen for the Today’s Car Care’s first holiday giveaway provided a major boost at a time she truly needed one.
In 2013, he was walking along with two of her children from their residence to church when she saw a truck headed toward them at a high rate of speed. Her instant reaction was that of a selfless mother, pushing her children out of danger. But Hill herself was struck—she hit the windshield of the truck and fractured both her left ankle and right foot while also injuring her spleen, bladder and kidneys.
Four years later, she was suffering complications from the accident and receiving treatment. Her mother, Connie, and a family friend purchased a car for Hill to drive as she was without one, but it needed repairs that Hill told them she would pay for when she had the money to do so.
Connie nominated Hill for the repair giveaway, and it represented Hill’s solution.
[pullquote]“You have a lot of things going on during the holiday season, with toy drives and things like that, and we wanted to do something unique.” – Bailie Bourg[/pullquote]Hill’s car needed a lot of work. Numerous parts had to be replaced and it took an estimated 10-1/2 hours of work to fully repair. Today’s Car Care, NAPA and Advanced Auto donated parts for the repairs.
Today’s Car Care let Connie deliver the great news to Mericka.
“It was excitement and shock,” Hill said of her reaction to receiving word of her repairs. “I was at a loss for words. We had just talked about the need to get (the car) in the shop and get it worked on. I’m so grateful and very appreciative for what they’ve done for my kids and I.”
Bourg said the shop’s staff was so inspired by Hill’s story that they put in their own money to buy gifts for Hill’s three children.
“It just turned out to be such a great thing and really successful, so we wanted to keep it going,” Bourg said.
The deadline to nominate is Dec. 16 and the winner will be announced on Today’s Car Care’s Facebook page on Dec. 19. Those who’d like to nominate someone may do so through the shop’s website (todayscarcare.com) or its Facebook page.
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