For the last decade, a group of volunteers from Grace Lutheran Church have come together to run the Christian Auto Repair Service (C.A.R.S.) This charity makes minor vehicle repairs for people in need. They plan the program on the fourth Saturday of every month in the parking lot of their church building. Locals who have car troubles and are unable to afford the work can potentially get their vehicle repaired for free.
Chuck Buerstatte, Grace Lutheran’s director of operations and the volunteer coordinator of the program, said “We do a lot of repairs and maintenance for folks. If they can afford the parts, they’ll supply the parts, and we’ll supply the labor.” Buerstatte said that C.A.R.S. was formed after members of Grace Lutheran recognized the need in the community for people to afford car repairs.
He explained “Every single month, there is a huge need out there, and our volunteers have been really consistent on that because I do think they see the value and the benefit within the community.” He explained that most people are dependent on their vehicle in order to live their lives and go about their business. He stated how debilitating an unexpected car issue can be.
“Everything is going well, (then) they lose access to a vehicle. Now they don’t have easy means to get to and from work. If they can’t regularly show up for work, then what’s the likelihood of their job continuing? Then, with the loss of a job, you can see how quickly things can spiral,” the volunteer recounted. Originally, the group was made up of two church members and their sons.
Now C.A.R.S. has a dozen consistently volunteering people. The experience levels are widely different. Buerstatte said, “Some volunteers have been mechanics. We have some that have worked on cars pretty extensively and we have others that are learning.” While you don’t need to prove economic need, most people seem to be in dire straits.
He explained “ There’s a huge economic range of individuals we’ve worked with, some on disability, some that live in their cars, and then we have a lot of people that are getting by, and a $100 repair to them would be a big financial strain.” He concluded, “We’d love to visit with people if they were interested in starting a (similar) program in their local community.”
We reported on another similar program, community-minded citizens of Cache Valley, Utah, are spreading Christmas cheer for the ninth year in a row with a viral car giveaway. A multitude of local businesses have chipped in to help the Cache County Christmas Car Project donate vehicles filled to the brim with gifts to neighbors in need. The Charity will give away 7 cars as gifts this holiday season.
According to Jason Hansen, the original plan was to repair damaged vehicles and give them to the needy. Hansen’s wife, Kristie, explained “This is 100% God. The only way that Jason and I can continue to do this is because we are blessed by people in the community who help us out and support us. … We are just trying to share God’s love through the community.”
Cache Valley residents can nominate people to receive the gift cars. After a candidate is selected, workers for the charity identify specific needs so the gifts can be as impactful as possible. Often, Ty Mortensen, who lives nearby, dresses as Santa to surprise the families with exciting gifts. A recent donation, shows an emotional scene as one woman remarks “Thank you. I appreciate it so much,” she said, “I wouldn’t have been able to do this without my community”