Wheels4Hope holds Double Car Blessing at Grace Community Church

Wheels4Hope held a double car blessing ceremony presenting Michael Ferguson and Vickie Cromartie with the keys to their vehicles.  Click here to view news coverage from Time Warner Cable News.  Michael is now the proud owner of a 2002 Toyota Camry repaired with financial assistance from Grace Community Church. Vickie drove off as the owner of a 2005 Nissan Altima.  The repairs for the Nissan were sponsored by the Jack Sartorius Memorial Fund.

Grace Community Church made financial contributions to assist with the repair costs of Michael’s 2002 Toyota Camry sedan. He has been receiving housing and support services from Passage Home. Michael works full-time as a driver for Millennium Transportation but has not owned a vehicle of his own since 2007.  He is a US Army Veteran and has three grown daughters and five grandchildren.  Michael shared, "It will be a real blessing.  Plus I have grandchildren where I can take them to school or whatever comes.  Mainly I will be able to find better housing and a better job.  I walk to work, so getting this vehicle will be a hallelujah experience. Thank you."

Vickie works full-time as a breakfast hostess at a hotel and takes care of her 11- year-old granddaughter.  She had not owned a vehicle since 2012. "Getting a Wheels4Hope vehicle means a blessing for me - helping me to have reliable transportation to work, help getting my granddaughter to school and picking her up, and also help getting my mom to appointments since she has been helping me and that is a blessing.  I also want to thank your program for taking the time to invest in helping me.  I hope I can give back when I'm back on my feet.  Thank you so much," said Vickie.

Grace Community Church is one of over two dozen Triangle congregational partners with Wheels4Hope. Congregations support the mission with vehicle donations, financial support and volunteers.

The 2nd Annual Jack Sartorius Memorial Fund car blessing is being presented in honor and memory of John A. (Jack) Sartorius (2 August 1935 - 18 November 2014).  Jack was renowned as a master mechanic.  He had a wonderful ability to derive great value out of older vehicles that were long past the point of what "normal" people would consider their "useful life."  More importantly, Jack was also known by all as one who would never fail to stop to help someone, whether friend or stranger, whose vehicle needed repair.  In that spirit, Jack's family and friends chose to designate Wheels4Hope as the organization to which those wishing to honor his memory should make donations. Funds that are donated in his name will help to make this (and future) car blessings possible