An automotive shop in Colleyville is now accepting nominations to receive a restored car. Auto Experts of Colleyville launched "Autos of Love" last year.
“One of the stated goals on our nomination form is, in fact, how would this individual utilize this vehicle, this gift, this transportation in order to contribute back to the community?” says Owner Dane Bailey.
Bailey says the car does not necessarily go to the person with the greatest need but to the person who would be able to use the car most effectively.
“An analogy would be somebody who’s really in need, but they don’t have enough money for gas or insurance, so the car just stays on the driveway or the curb. That’s wasting a gift,” he says. “That’s opposed to somebody who might have a job, have a house but doesn’t have a car. Even a modest car might not be attainable, so how are they going to use this gift in our community?”
Last year, Cathy Bailey says a recipient was a school bus driver.
“She would either take public transportation to work and have her kids use public transportation to get home, or she would Uber,” Cathy Bailey says. “In fact, she Ubered to show up the day we did the award.”
The Baileys say the car is being donated, and Auto Experts of Colleyville will ensure the car has new tires and is in good condition. They say Auto Experts of Colleyville will also provide a year of oil changes and routine maintenance. They say lack of reliable transportation can become an “insurmountable barrier” to achieving success.
“In our culture right now, we are addressing food, trying to address employment, trying to address housing,” says Dane Bailey. “Just in our vision, transportation doesn’t appear to have the visibility some of these others have. We’re already in the car business, so what do we do? We can get cars, we can fix cars. It was simple for us.”
The Baileys say they are currently working with churches and organizations like the Colleyville Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club and Rotary in Tarrant County to get nominations. They say they have a selection committee who will pick the recipient of a car. They are taking nominations through October 17 at autosoflove.org. Nominees must live in Tarrant County.