Mom of three: Car giveaway is much-needed in a trying time [The Hutchinson News, Kan.]

Dec. 18--As Nilez Brown crouched on the smooth, concrete floor of Jeremy's Paint & Body Shop on Saturday and played with a few colorful toy vehicles, he seemed only marginally aware of why he and his mother were there.

"They're giving it away," the 4-year-old proclaimed to his mom, explaining what his plastic figures intended to do with the red boat he had just hooked up to the back of a zebra-striped car.

While it wasn't a red boat that had drawn her to the business south of Sterling, Jennifer Brown knew a vehicle would be given away. Little did she know the car -- a shiny 1996 Buick Park Avenue donated by D&D Towing of Hutchinson and restored by Jeremy's owner Jeremy Kroeker and his staff -- was as good as hers.

Brown was one of about six Rice County residents whose names were submitted to the business recently for consideration in the National Benevolence Program, through which local community businesses repair used vehicles that otherwise would be broken down for scrap and bestow them upon families in need.

"Thank you so much. Thank you, everybody," an emotional Brown said after Kroeker announced she had been selected to receive the car, which was topped with numerous other gifts donated by regional businesses, including a car seat for Nilez, games, toys, food and gas certificates, and hair and skin products. Even more surprising, Brown said she had been under the assumption the car was simply being loaned to her for a period of months for her use getting where she needed to be, not that it would soon permanently belong to her.

After trying unsuccessfully the past few years to join in the National Benevolence Program -- sponsored by business development group Acoat and paint manufacturer Akzo Nobel Coatings Inc. -- Kroeker was happy to finally be able to participate.

"It was pretty amazing," he said of witnessing Brown's reaction to the news she had won the car.

To start the process, Kroeker asked local charities for names of individuals who could most benefit from a vehicle. He then asked each applicant to write a letter explaining his or her need. (Brown said both she and her 13-year-old daughter, Lorrin Graham, submitted letters.)

While having to pick just one family among all the applicants was excruciating, Kroeker said, he knew that, no matter who was chosen, the gift would make a dramatic impact on their lives.

Brown said that couldn't be more true in her case.

Before the school year started, her van was totaled after being hit on the road. She was struggling financially and going through a divorce, and the accident was one more worry to add to her life.

"Every day it's been a battle getting back and forth to school," said Brown, who has one more child in 9-year-old Mathew Graham.

Without a means of transportation, she relied on the help of friends, family and even her children's teachers for rides.

Throughout the process of applying for the car giveaway and coming to the business Saturday morning, Brown said she tried not to allow herself to get her hopes up "because ... it seems like for every step forward, I've taken two steps back."

Having a car again, she added, has been "the answer to a lot of prayers."

"You can't walk everywhere with a 9- and 4-year-old," Brown said, "especially with winter coming."

Kroeker said he'll go with Brown to the Rice County Courthouse on Monday to put the title in her name, and later will help her add the car to her insurance.

But that's later. Saturday, Brown was content to try to soak up the moment.

"I'm dying to go over there and call my mom and tell her," she said.

___

(c)2011 The Hutchinson News (Hutchinson, Kan.)

Visit The Hutchinson News (Hutchinson, Kan.) at www.hutchnews.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services