Use current location
Cars 4 Christmas is a non-profit organization that provides free basic transportation to disadvantaged individuals.
More than one third of America’s population lives outside of urbanized areas. Nearly 40 percent of the country’s transit-dependent population—primarily senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and low-income individuals—resides in rural areas. Yet in many of these communities, public and community transportation are limited or absent. The growth in the U.S. economy has created many new jobs. Two out of three are located in suburban areas, and in some cities, more than 50 percent of these jobs are outside the range of public transportation. For millions of Americans, the availability of community and public transportation is the determining factor in their ability to access the health care system for necessary medical care. Whether trying to reach life-sustaining dialysis treatments or ensuring a healthy future for a child with routine screenings, people must have a way to get to their medical appointments.
Cars 4 Christmas was started to provide free basic transportation to less fortunate individuals and families who are unable to obtain it on their own. Today’s world demands that the average individual have personal transportation. This has been the case across the U.S. for several decades as Americans have based important family, career, and overall life decisions on the ability to transport themselves. Just as companies cannot function properly without computer technology, individuals cannot function without an automobile. Until 1996, the founder of Cars 4 Christmas, Terry Franz, had been in the automotive industry, helping to create specialized lending plans to assist individuals in obtaining cars when it was otherwise impossible. Many of the people Terry helped had poor credit or lower incomes due to life-altering situations such as a seriously ill child at home. Terry often saw illness, disability, or serious family matters preventing people from purchasing even basic used cars. In 1996, Terry decided to act on an idea: if there’s no way for a needy person to buy a car, maybe we can find a way to give them one. Terry did research and discovered that while various shelters and government organizations could provide jobs, homes, or food, they could not remedy a lack of transportation. Believing that most people can help themselves if they can get from point A to point B, Terry thought the automotive industry would be willing to support a community effort to provide basic transportation needs. He has since created a network among the automotive industry, local individuals, and media to supply hundreds of vehicles to deserving people and families.
Every day, people’s lives are turned upside down by unexpected tragedies, illnesses, and other serious circumstances that cannot be controlled. The effects of such situations can be staggering and often go unappreciated by society, which may not be experiencing life-altering events at the moment. While society is often willing to help less fortunate individuals and families, many cannot imagine the reality of sudden life changes until they happen to them. Cars 4 Christmas is there to soften the harsh blows that life can deal. Below is an excerpt from a letter received by the organization, illustrating the kind of people who benefit from their services:
I am the Team Leader for the 7 East oncology unit at The Cancer Institute located within Research Medical Center. I have a 19-year-old girl who was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia this fall. She was going to college when she was diagnosed with cancer. Her parents have come from Samoa to see her through the transplant. Her family has limited funds. We have arranged for lodging at the Hope Lodge. Unfortunately, we cannot give them the one thing they really need: a car. This situation has touched us all in a way that is indescribable. This patient is in a battle to survive. Having adequate transportation to get her to her appointments and treatments would be extremely helpful. Please help if you can. Sincerely, Team Leader 7 East
The Cancer Institute Meyer Campus, 2316 E Meyer Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64132
Please click anywhere to continue browsing our site.