‘Life changing’

Wheels for Work program in need of vehicle donations

For so many struggling families, transportation can be a major barrier to just about everything. Without reliable transportation, parents can't get to work and their kids can't get to school. And for those with health needs, lack of transportation can stand in the way of doctor's appointments and receiving treatment.

The Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way realized this more than a decade ago and to tear down those barriers, created the Wheels for Work program, and its sister program Wheels for Health. The programs provide safe, reliable vehicles to families in need of transportation to work, school and medical appointments at no cost to the recipients.

The United Way partners with Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota to complete whatever maintenance work is needed to get donor vehicles roadworthy for their new owners. The dealership donates the parts and labor, Fort Dodge Ford General Manager Matt Johnson said.

Recently, Wheels for Work received its first donation since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Dennis Hunter, of Fort Dodge, donated a 1995 Buick Regal that had belonged to his parents.

"My parents have been gone for a few years," he said. "They were farmers and they did a lot of donating their time with volunteer work... And with our Christian faith, our family tries to help those in need as much as we can afford."

Hunter said he's known about the Wheels for Work program for a while and is familiar with the United Way's work in the community. As the director of the Clothes Closet at First Baptist Church, he's worked with them on other projects.

Julie Piton, program coordinator for the United Way, said the organization is very grateful for the donation to Wheels for Work because they haven't been able to help families in need of reliable transportation for a few years because they weren't receiving car donations.

"COVID hit every family really hard and then inflation on top of that too," she said. "We know a lot of families that have multiple vehicles weren't really in a position to just donate one -- they were trying to sell them on the market or turn them in for an upgrade, and that's totally respectable, but our donations have really declined since COVID."

Over the last 15 years or so, Wheels for Work has provided reliable transportation to around 70 families in the Fort Dodge area. The Johnson family even expanded the program to their Ames dealership location, where they've served another 30 families in need.

"It's been amazing and life changing for families," Piton said of the program. "We see the need for transportation for a lot of low income families."

Donations are tax-deductible, making the program a "win-win all the way around," Johnson said.

"We appreciate any donation," Piton said.

The vehicle doesn't necessarily have to run -- Fort Dodge Ford will send a tow truck to pick it up.

"We accept all models, years, conditions," Johnson said. "Anything is appreciated."

Financial donations to the program are accepted as well.

"Any of those things are super helpful to the program to help us help families," Piton said.

Recipients of the donated vehicles must be referred to the United Way by a partner human service agency, Piton said.

"Sometimes a school district will provide names of folks that they know are really struggling to get their kiddos to school," she said.

Once a family is referred to the program, they fill out an application, which is then vetted by United Way staff. There are some requirements for the applicants, Piton said. They must be working and have car insurance, among other qualifications.

The recipient for Hunter's donation hasn't been selected yet. Piton said United Way staff are still vetting applications and hope to hand the keys over to a family in need by the end of the year.

"I would say we live in the best community and region in the state," Johnson said. "People are so giving and we're just blessed to play a role in it. And through donations like this to great agencies for a deserving family, it just really warms your heart, especially during the holidays, to be a part of something that is life changing or life saving."

For more information on the Wheels for Work program or to donate a vehicle, contact the Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way at 515-573-3179 or visit their offices at 24 N. Ninth St. Suite B. Vehicle donations can also be taken directly to Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota, 2723 Fifth Ave. S.