A local single mother is back on the road, thanks to help from a CSRA paint and body shop.
Kendrick Paint & Body has partnered with the National Auto Body Council and GEICO to give Carla Paschal a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan, an SUV with less than 25,000 miles, according to its Operations and Marketing Specialist, Carson McLaughlin.
McLaughlin said the car was donated by GEICO as part of the NABC’s Recycled Rides program, which partners with body shops across the United States to repair cars and provide them to those without transportation.
“We have done a total of seven giveaways since 2012 and work with different charities,” she said.
This year, Kendrick asked United Way of the CSRA to nominate a deserving person the nonprofit has served. Paschal, whose car broke down several months ago, was using Uber and Lyft services provided by United Way.
“She had a job as a security guard, but she had to quit that job because she didn’t have rides to and from work,” McLaughlin said.
After leaving that position, Paschal accepted an administrative work-from-home job. Her goal is to get another law enforcement job.
“We repair the damage at no charge, and we cover the taxes, tag, and registration,” McLaughlin said.
Paschal was only required to pay for her own insurance coverage.
To be eligible, nominees must meet certain income requirements and submit documentation, such as tax returns. For that reason, they couldn’t surprise her with the car.
“She knew about it, but she didn’t know when or what kind of car she was getting,” she said.
Paschal has three teenagers, and two are still in high school. They normally ride the bus home from school, but not the day she received the car.
“She was able to surprise them and pick them up from school,” McLaughlin said.
For more information about the Recycled Rides program, visit nationalautobodycouncil.org/programs/recycled-rides/.
