Partnership gives family a car

Aug. 23--Stacy McKinney and her daughter's three-hour, round-trip commute to school and work got a whole lot easier this week with the gift of a 2004 Hyundai Sonata.

The gift came by way of a partnership between Rio Rancho body shop Automotive Impressions and the National Auto Body Council's Recycled Ride program, and Family Promise of Albuquerque, an organization that helps families who have been homeless.

McKinney and her daughter received the car at a ceremony on Wednesday at Automotive Impressions, near N.M. 528 and Sundt Road, attended by Mayor Gregg Hull and Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce President Debbi Moore.

Family Promise works with local church and synagogue congregations to provide shelter, case management, tutoring and skills classes.

With this help, McKinney was able to secure a job and an apartment in Albuquerque this spring. Since then, she and her 8-year-old daughter Hailee have been using the bus to get to work and school. It took them 90 minutes every morning and evening.

"Giving her (McKinney) a car has given her the ability to stay self sufficient, and improve the quality of life for her and her daughter," said Family Promise Executive Director Julie Skelton.

Recycled Rides obtains cars that have been totaled by an insurance company and, through help from an automotive shop, they refurbish the vehicle for a needy family that has been identified by a local charity.

Automotive Impressions owner Jerry Burns said he worked with local companies to get donations of parts, and its employees donated their time and labor to restore the Hyundai donated by insurance company Geico.

"In the end, they had this beautiful car that they were able to give to this family," Burns said.

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