Ma’lia McClain, a 2022 Cars With Care Christmas Car Giveaway winner, recalls being without a vehicle for a year before she was blessed with free wheels by a nonprofit that displays the holiday giving spirit.
“I won a Nissan Maxima,” she said. “My car has been a blessing and that’s what I named her!”
Maryland-based entrepreneurs, Stephen Green and Damond Horne, founded Cars With Care nonprofit to provide wheels for families in need. Green, owner of Paintless Dent Doctor, specializes in automotive reconditioning. Horne runs a similar business called Total Recon Automotive Reconditioning.
Six members of the Cars With Care Team are helping out this year to enable someone like McClain to confidently hit the road in their own ride without the worry of financial barriers.
Michael Foy, owner of CMMobile Detailing; Eric Randall, owner of KXK Financial; Kermit Fowlkes, owner of Focus Movers; and Gabe Epps, owner of Pro-Speed Customs joined Green and Horne to lend a hand to complete tasks from custom work to car repairs and detailing for this year’s contest.
“We will be giving away one fully reconditioned car this year,” said Green. “Eight vehicles will have been be donated to date.”
Photo credit: Stephen Green
Cars With Care’s 4th Annual Fundraising Gala will be held on December 21, 2024 from 9:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. at La Familia Soundstage located at 836 Guilford Avenue in Baltimore, Maryland. The fundraiser will include a DJ, catered food, a cigar lounge, 360 booth, cash bar, a host and MC, and special performers.
Josh Lay, a Grammy-nominated and Stellar Award-winning writer, producer and vocalist, and Tim Green, a Grammy-nominated and world-renowned saxophonist from Baltimore will be featured.
“I will be performing a set of instrumental music at the Cars for Care Gala, inspired by the jazz music elements featured in Nas’ iconic album “Illmatic,” Tim said.
He shared why gala support is vital for Cars With Care’s ability to complete its mission.
“By attending and supporting this event, you are contributing to the mission of providing much-needed vehicles to those in need. These vehicles serve as a lifeline for individuals and families who may not have access to reliable transportation otherwise, enabling them to access employment opportunities, medical appointments, and essential services,” Tim noted.
He added that every dollar raised at the Cars With Care gala goes towards ensuring that vehicles are made available to those who need them most.
Tim further noted, “Your presence sends a powerful message of compassion and generosity, demonstrating that we are all in this together and that no one should be left behind. So, join us at the Cars With Care gala and help make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most. Together, we can ensure that everyone has the means to access the resources and support they need to thrive.”
Photo credit: Chris Robinson
Stephen said that the Cars With Care team donates all labor, but they depend upon the gala to fund the cause. Expenses include the purchase of the vehicle; parts and mechanical needs; car taxes, title and fees; a warranty; and a monetary donation given to the family to help to ease the initial cost of vehicle ownership.
Additionally, Stephen said the Cars With Care team is open to all sponsorships.
“We offer packages from $100 to $1,000. For detailed information on what comes with each package, please email us at carswithcare@gmail.com,” he explained.
Gathering financial resources, the expertise of volunteers, and individuals who unselfishly give their time is a labor of love demonstrating the power of unity that positively impacts someone else’s life.
“Giving away the vehicle on Christmas morning is the most fulfilling thing we do. We literally get to give someone the keys to “opportunity” in the form of reliable transportation,” said Stephen.
Entrants must be Baltimore City or County residents; be a part of a family in need that consists of school-aged children; have a valid driver’s license; and be in good standing with the MVA.
“Each vested member of the Cars With Care team reads each entry and chooses one nominee. There’s no ‘exact science’ to those choices. We are simply choosing a nominee that we emotionally connect with after reading their story,” Stephen said. “After we choose our individual nominees, we do a drawing to decide the winner.”
Learn more about Cars With Care by visiting www.carswithcare.org; visit https://www.carswithcare.org/entries to read the contest rules and enter; and purchase gala tickets from https://Carswithcaregala2024.eventbrite.com. The entry deadline is December 20, 2024 at 9:00 p.m. If you would like to donate financially, donations can be made on the nonprofit’s website.