Source: Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register

The National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides program and its charity partner, Family Promise of Orange County, surprised two deserving Southern California families with a car.

The first car, a like-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee, was given to Lauren and her partner, Frankie. Despite working full-time jobs, the couple still struggles to make ends meet living in Orange County with their three young children.

Their vehicle broke down repeatedly, burning through their savings and it still was not reliable and couldn’t pass a smog check.

“When I break down on the side of the road with three little kids, it’s really rough,” Lauren said after being presented with the car. She asked not to use her full name. “It feels like a dream and I can’t believe it’s happening to our family.”

The second car, a 2020 Hyundai Elantra, was given to a former stay-at-home mom who is now raising two young boys on her own and trying to restart a career in real estate.

Family Promise of Orange County, which chose the recipients, is also assisting her family by paying for the vehicle registration and at least three month of insurance.

The vehicles presented Wednesday, May 4, were donated by Nationwide and Farmers Insurance and crews from Auto Art Collision Specialists and Mission Viejo Auto Collision donated their time to repair the vehicles. The event was held in Newport Beach during a conference of the Automotive Body Parts Association.