Wednesday, January 23rd at 8:20 AM, Champ's Corm & The Coach show with discuss Good News Garage and the need for affordable transportation in Vermont. You may listen on line by clicking the link in the top right-hand corner of WCPV's web page or tune in your radio to 101.3 FM to listen.
We have lots of volunteers. They do a wide-range of things for us like put up posters, host fundraisers, help with graphics, research information, table booths at events and clean donated vehicles. We would love your help, please give us a call if you want to volunteer. 1-877-448-3288
Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream is continuing its partnership with Good News Garage. Last year Ben & Jerry provided Good News Garage with gift certificates to give to people who sign up for our e-newsletter. They agreed to continue this program again this year. The e-newsletter is a great way for you to know about all the good things Good News Garage is doing in your state.
Looking for something fun to do in February in New Hampshire? Then don't miss the WZID Women's Expo on Saturday, February 16th from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. This exciting event takes place at the Radisson Hotel located at 700 Elm Street, Manchester, NH. Good News Garage NHis sponsoring a booth, so be sure to stop by, say "hello" and find out how you can support Good News Garage and our car donation program that changes lives. We will be handing out some awsome goodies and offering a raffle for a gas cash card too. I hope to see you there!
The Manchester Chamber is producing the Manchester Antique and Classic Car Show this year. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Good News Garage. The event will take place June 14th and 15th this year. Learn more online at http://www.manchestercarshow.com/
Vermont Public Radio will be airing a show on one of the programs our founder, Hal Colston, is involved in called Circles of Support. The show will air Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. To learn more about Circles of Support click on the About Us page on our website and go to the bottom of the page. There is a video about Circles of Support and Neighborkeepers.
I spoke with Hal Colston, GNG's founder today. The new organization, Neighborkeepers which he is the founder and Executive Director of, is looking for 30 volunteers to be allies in the Circles of Support program. This new organization is focused on helping people in poverty transition out of it by creating a support network. I have attend some of the dinners that they put on and have gained insight in to my own life and been moved by people I have met. I highly recommend getting involved. If you want to learn more email Hal at hal@neighborkeepers.org.
Yesterday afternoon was an uplifting day. I had to be in Concord, so I spent a couple of hours enjoying the warm (at least relatively so for NH) temperatures and posting some Good News Garage car donation signs in Main Street shops. While purchasing a few items at a popular health-food market, I inquired if I could post a sign on their community bulletin board. Upon hearing my request, the sales associate exclaimed, "Your organization is wonderful! My sister received a car from Good News Garage a couple of months ago and it has changed her life!" This made my day. Providing transportation to disadvantaged clients and empowering them is what we do. As the Good News Garage Marketing Manager for NH and MA I am working to cover both states with our "Donate a Car...Change a Life!" tear-off posters, but the task is daunting. If you can help distribute posters in your community, I would appreciate the help. You can contact me, Susan Swain, at 669-6937 or at sswain@goodnewsgarage.org.
Shawnna Barry, a New Hampshire native, returned to her home state in 2004 after living in Florida for over 10 years. After surviving two major hurricanes, she decided that she would give NH a second chance. Shawnna's job transferred from Florida and she happily returned with her family to start over. Once here however, Shawnna began to experience a series of employment struggles beginning with major car problems that she could not afford. Shawnna was forced to leave her job and began working for a temp agency which was located close to home. Unfortunately, this job was impractical since she was employed in the afternoon and evening hours and Shawnna has young children. Shawnna perservered and enrolled in an accounting program at a local college and began receiving state assistance for her family. Through NH Employment, Shawnna began volunteering for Good News Garage NH in January 2006 and received her donated, "family friendly", van from Good News Garage in December of the same year. As an employee, Shawnna proved herself to be hard-working, professional and an excellent addition to the staff. Shawnna was officially hired by Good News Garage as a part-time employee in November 2007 assisting with office work. She has had her Good News Garage van for over a year and loves it! Shawnna's success story is a great example of how Good News Garage empowers by awarding donated cars, vans and trucks. Donate a Car...Change a Life!- it really is true.
The Rutland Car Donation Drop-off Day is coming up on Saturday, January 19, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. I will be at Bruno's Truck Repair located at Ranbury Road in Rutland. (Bruno's is located almost at the end of Ranbury Road on the left.) All car, truck and van donations are accepted and are tax deductible. You do not have to call ahead, just come down with your title.
Thank you to all the wonderful people who donate cars. It is truily inspiring to see the process of people sharing their good fortune with people who really need a hand.
Welcome to Good News Garage's blog. If you have any questions or comments, please let us know. Our goal is to make it easy to donate and help others struggling with transportation in our community.
