During the season of giving, the nonprofit Cars With Care is leading the way by providing another free car for a Baltimore resident in need.
Andrea Brackett is a past car recipient who said that she is forever indebted to the nonprofit’s team. A dream of having her own reliable transportation came true because of Cars With Care.
“I delivered a baby boy in January and was glad I didn’t have to bus hop with a newborn, exposing him to Covid and other respiratory illnesses,” Brackett said. “I received a black Lincoln truck from Cars With Care on Christmas of 2021. The truck helped to meet the needs of my family exceptionally well. I am much more independent and don’t have to rely on others as much, and having a car helps save money because I no longer have to use Uber or Lyft. I can get up and go with my children at any time, so I am forever grateful and appreciative.”
Brackett happened to scroll on Facebook. She spotted a reposted Cars With Care ad. The mother decided to submit an entry. Cars With Care was created for people like Brackett who find themselves in a transportation pinch.
Stephen Green, a resident of Baltimore County, founded Cars With Care along with Damond Horne in 2016. Six vehicles have been donated since then. Cars With Care purchased five cars. One was donated by a generous contributor. Green’s business is called Paintless Dent Doctor. Horne is the owner and operator of Total Recon. They both specialize in interior automotive repair and detailing. Green explained that the nonprofit leaders aim to bridge the gap for hardworking Baltimoreans that need the boost of owning a car.
Eric Randall, Elantra Garrett, the 2021 Honda Civic Cars With Care recipient and
Michael Foy on December 25, 2021,
in Baltimore.
Photo credit: Daylan Jones Photography
“Cars With Care is a collective of Black-owned business owners with extensive experience in automotive reconditioning industries. We team up during the Christmas Season to purchase, restore, and donate vehicles to families in need around Baltimore,” Green said, mentioning that all recipients have been Baltimore residents. “We understand that reliable transportation can be the missing link to opportunities for employment, access to healthcare and childcare, safety, comfort while traveling and more.”
He further explained that P&E Engineering and Consulting; Focus Movers; KDW Catering; Auto Source; Dapper Cigar Lounge; NkvSkin; Funnel Cake King; SUMAT Centers; Amazin Recovery Treatment Services; and CL Firearms Training Academy & Goombay Inc. are this year’s giveaway sponsors.
“It’s truly a pleasure for us to accomplish this mission every year. We all love what we do professionally, and this cause serves as an opportunity for us to bless someone with the gifts we’ve been afforded,” Green said.
Every vehicle that is given away is fully mechanically and cosmetically restored from bumper to bumper. Green; Horne; Michael Foy; Gabe Epps; and Eric Randall complete necessary mechanical repairs, parts replacement; paintless dent repair; scratch repair; body work and paint; interior repair; headlight restoration; detailing; and sanitizing. Green noted that the process takes approximately two to three weeks.
This year’s Cars With Care fundraiser gala will be held at Red Bubbles, located at 7112 Darlington Drive, Suite A in Parkville, Maryland on December 17, 2022, from 8 p.m.-12 a.m.
“The purpose of the fundraiser is to raise funds to purchase and restore the vehicle. We also give a monetary donation to the winning family to assist with the initial costs associated with ownership,” Green said. “There will be dinner; live music; dancing; a 360 booth; a mobile cigar lounge; raffles, and more.”
Horne added that the monetary donations that are received are applied to the acquisition of the vehicle, reconditioning costs, and a donation to the recipient to cover a portion of initial costs. These include registration, insurance, and gas.
Green explained that every vested business owner reads the entries. They individually nominate one person to receive a car. Next, those nominees are entered into a random drawing to determine the winner. The drawing will be held at this year’s fundraising gala.
Horne explained that the community looks forward to Cars With Care giving a vehicle or two away each year. Another reason to keep it going is “to be a beacon of hope for our community and let everyone know that everyone has a chance in life.”
of the donated car. Photo credit: Daylan Jones Photography
“Giving a family in need a vehicle can open many doors for them,” Horne added.
Submission of entries officially opened on November 25, 2022, and will close on December 16, 2022. All entrants must be Baltimore residents with proof of residency. Submit an entry via www.carswithcare.com/entries. Information about the fundraiser is available by visiting https://www.eventbrite.com/e/466951964897. Donations can be made through www.carswithcare.com/donate, or via Cash App: $Carswithcare. The live giveaway occurs on Christmas morning.