Mayor Bob Kiss Donated his truck!

Burlington Mayor, Bob Kiss, donated his much loved truck to Good News Garage - LSS on Friday. Pictured here with his wife, Jacqueline Magoros, removing the plates. He did replace the bumper so he could keep his collect of bumper stickers. Good News Garage is located in Burlington and is one of the first car charities of its kind in the United States.

Donate a Car to Good News Garage NH & Help a Needy NH Neighbor

When you donate a car to Good News Garage NH/MA, Good News Garage VT or Good News Garage CT, you are giving a gift that keeps on giving. The mission of Good News Garage is to create economic opportunity by providing affordable and reliable transportation options for people in need. Since 1996, Good News Garage has awarded over 3,500 donated vehicles to needy, New England families changing lives.

According to a data brief prepared by the NH Women's Policy Institute in April 2008 entitled, Transportation as a barrier to economic independence: Can she make it without a car? states, "90% of New Hampshire's workers commute to work in a private car; less than 1% use public transportation...with limited bus service and difficulties coordinating child car drop-off and pick-up times, the challenge of finding a job and getting to work without a car can be insurmountable." Good News Garage is working to change this reality one person and one car at a time!

All cars donated to Good News Garage qualify for a tax deduction and cars that are awarded to clients qualify for a deduction equal to Fair Market Value of the donated car.

When you donate a car to Good News Garage New Hampshire, you are:

* helping to provide transportation to a local, needy family which enables the client to take advantage of employment opportunities and care for their children (according to a study completed in 2006: 49% of Good News Garage clients reported being off public assitance within a year of receiving their donated car and 48% of the clients furthered their education after receiving their Good News Garage donated car).

* benefitting from a tax deduction

* helping the economy since Good News Garage NH partners with local garages creating employment opportunities in New Hampshire

As I write this today, it is two days before Thanskgiving and I have driven in the pouring rain to the grocery store, to the doctor for my son's annual check-up and to my Good News Garage NH office and I must confess that I have been annoyed by the wet conditions. But, I must also reflect on how impossible these tasks would have been for me today if I did not own a vehicle to accomplish these simple, every day tasks. Before I came to work for Good News Garage New Hampshire, I donated my van to the organization and I hope if you are able that you will do the same or tell someone else about Good News Garage and how our donated cars, vans and trucks help local, New England families.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful and safe Thanskgiving holiday. And please remember:

Good News Garage: Donate a car...Change a life!

State Representative Kesha Ram visited Good News Garage today

Kesha Ram stopped by to learn more about our car donation program. Here she is with two of our mechanics, Rick Berg and Derek Joyce.

Good News Garage presents to Keene Lions Club

Last week I was honored to attend and present information on Good News Garage NH to the Keene, NH Lions Club. After being treated to a delicious lunch, I was able to discuss the Good News Garage New Hampshire vehicle donation program and how Good News Garage uses donated cars to help needy New England families.

As the Marketing and Development Manager for Good News Garage New Hampshire and Massachusetts, I am always excited about sharing information about Good News Garage and our "Wheels to Work" mission. If you are a member of a local civic organization, social club or professional society, and are looking for a speaker, I would love to attend a meeting. Feel free to call or e-mail Susan Swain at 603-669-6937 or sswain@goodnewsgarage.org. Good News Garage - Donate a Car...Change a Life!

Manchester Community Resource Center assists Good News Garage

Good News Garage NH would like to thank The Manchester Community Resource Center (MCRC), a nonprofit agency located at 177 Lake Avenue in downtown Manchester, for their support and hard work. The participants of the MCRC's Job Readiness Program produced approximately 750 kid treat packs and 500 candy bags this summer to be distributed at the Good News Garage booth during community events and fairs.

A typical participant in the MCRC job program is a new US resident with little to no work experience in this country. For most, English is a second language and the Job Readiness Program is designed to help these individuals overcome cultural barriers and become work ready. To create the Good News Garage kid packs and candy bags, the MCRC participants were set up in an assembly line situation. They "clocked in" and divided up responsibilitites which included labeling, filling bags, ribbon tying and quality control. Good News Garage is extremely thankful for their help and the support of the MCRC.

Good News Garage NH, a program of Lutheran Social Services, is interested in pursuing partnerships with other NH organizations and agencies. For more information on partnerhips or volunteer opportunities, contact Susan Swain, Good News Garage NH Marketing and Development Manager, at sswain@goodnewsgarage.org or 603-669-6937.