Good News Garage Featured in the Union Leader

If you read the New Hampshire Union Leader newspaper, then it would have been hard for you to miss yesterday's feature story on Good News Garage. Jim Fennell, UL reporter, did a wonderful job of telling the story of Benjamin Orton, age 6, who has severe microcephaly. Good News Garage receives several donated "unique" vehicles every year and we work very hard to place these cars, vans and trucks in deserving homes. And of course, all vehicles donated to Good News Garage undergo our 72 point checklist to ensure that we only award reliable, quality vehicles. If you did not see yesterday's story, it is available on-line at:

http://unionleader.com/article.aspx?articleId=fe7e14de-0bbb-4dbb-93e2-90a637ba3f36

You may also want to check out the "comments" section as well from the Union Leader web site. The story has received a wonderful response from the community.

As I write this blog, it is December 31st - the last day of 2008. Reading the story of Ben Orton and knowing that cars donated to Good News Garage have helped thousands of needy New England families warms my heart on this cold, snowy New Hampshire day. I wish you peace and a wonderful 2009 and I thank you for your support.

Car Donation Day is December 30th!

Bridgette Graham Marketing Volunteer for Good News Garage Vermont

Do you ever have trouble fitting in errands around your work schedule? I certainly do, which is why it is so great that Good News Garage Vermont is making a special effort to facilitate donations with longer business hours. This special donation event is intended to make bringing in your vehicle as convenient as possible. We will be ready on December 30th, from 8 am to 7 pm with experienced volunteers on hand, to receive your valid title and vehicle. Keep an eye out for our fancy donation signs with bright yellow notification of this unique drop-off opportunity.

Good News Garage staff normally work diligently from 8-5, but so do many of our donors. So, instead of rushing to get here before closing with your donated vehicle, on December 30, 2008 we invite you to take your time. Just bring your valid title and car any time between 8am and 7pm, and enjoy the convenience of our special extended hours drop-off event. Whether your car arrives at 8 am or 7 pm you are still eligible for the same tax deduction benefit that always comes with helping our worthy organization.

Good News Garage New Hampshire Welcomes New Board Members

I would like to personally welcome two NH leaders to the Good News Garage Board of Directors.

Ann Rice, New Hampshire's Assistant Attorney General, brings a wealth of legal and non-profit skills to the Good News Garage board. Having worked as a prosecutor for 18 years and also as a vocational counselor for adults with intellectual disabilities, Ann is passionate about helping the disadvantaged population. Ann has also served as the past president of Dress for Success NH and her husband, Chip Rice, is an active member of the Good News Garage NH Program Committe.

Trudy Sutherland, Account Executive and Special Project Coordinator for the New Hampshire Business Review, brings exceptional skills and passion to the Good News Garage board. With experience in marketing, special events, public speaking and public relations, Trudy is committed to using her professional talents to help others. Trudy has also donated TWO cars to Good News Garage New Hampshire and is an active member of the New Hampshire Good News Garage Program Committee.

Welcome ladies! Good News Garage is honored to have you in the Good News Garage "driver's seat"!

Families in need of a good car

We are receiving calls from people who have full-time jobs whose vehicles have died and they are having a tough time finding funds to purchase a reliable vehicle. We don't have many vehicles available and are always looking for more that we can repair and offer at an affordable rate.

If you know someone who has a good used car, truck or van to donate, give them our toll-free number 1-877-448-3288

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.