Billie gets the 20th car from CarsINC

Billie, a mother of two, recently received CarsINC's 20th car. Hers is an amazing story of how God brings together many hands to make his work light.

CarsINC worked with the Sparrows Nest program to get Billie her car. Billie would not have a car, home, job, and career goals today without the love and support from a network of generous Christians who made it all possible.

Sparrows Nest was created as an off-shoot from Christian Services. They identified a need to care for homeless mothers and children and discovered that mobile homes would be a more affordable way to fill that need. Through grants from the Granger Foundation and churches who purchased mobile homes, Sparrow’s Nest has been able to provide homes at Millpond Village mobile home park. At the same time, ministry teams from churches like River Terrace commit to 18-months of support that includes help with budgeting, parenting, transportation, and career advice. At the end of 18 months, mothers can buy the home for $10.

In Billie’s case, she was able to find work as a health aide helping a couple whose wife had a stroke. The husband was so grateful that his wife quickly bonded with Billie that he wants to support Billie in her goal to obtain her Certified Nursing Accreditation.

Billie's story shows that the work of many hands make “light (of Christ)” work. Her life would not be transformed without the help, donations, and prayers of so many. Thank you for your on-going support so that we can continue to help the many other Billie’s that are waiting for us.

Christmas gifts of $950

Thanks for your generous donations over the Christmas season. CarsINC has raised $950 so far that can be used to buy used cars to be refurbished and given to other women (and men) in need of "the gift of a lift."

If you forgot to send in your Christmas check, today is the last day of Christmas! Send your check to

CarsINC
C/o St. Paul's Episcopal Church
218 West Ottawa, Lansing, MI 48933

Ashley has a new car!

Meet Ashley, a mom of two, who got a new car from CarsINC in December. She met CarsINC board member and attorney, John Bissell, who helped her with her divorce, and he introduced her to CarsINC. Ashley received the 19th car that CarsINC has given away.

The recent Census Bureau estimate is that there are 10 million single mothers raising children in the U.S. CarsINC is proud to be able to help single mothers like Ashley with the "gift of a lift."

The 17th Car Finds a Home!

CarsINC gave away its 17th car!

Crystal Cobb, the mother of two (with one on the way!), just received a newly refurbished car. For $500, this car was the recipient of new front brakes, windshield wipers, an oil change and a very good interior cleaning. It is now as good as new! Crystal found out about CarsINC through Sparrows Nest, an organization that works with young mothers to help them find jobs and an apartment. Here is a photo of Crystal and Dawn Epstein, from Sparrows Nest.

Thanks to the Waytes family for donating their used car to help Crystal and her family.

Every time you donate your used car (and are getting the full tax value of your donation), you are helping a family with the gift of a lift!

New life for a Honda Accord

CarsINC was fortunate to receive the gift of a 1996 Honda Accord with 228,000 miles on it. We gave it to Nicole Mendoza, a teacher's aide at Capital Area Academy, right before she and everyone lost their jobs because the school closed. She had thyroid cancer and a possible Fallopian tube cancer (though that has not been proven and hopefully never will). Needless to say, she was extremely grateful. It enabled her to send her car to the junkyard for $200 and have a reliable car (for a big change) and it buoyed her spirits during a very difficult time.

Your gifts of used cars can make a big difference in someone's life.

Share the good news about CarsINC

Please pass along the good news about CarsINC to your friends, colleagues and neighbors by printing out this brochure and giving it to others who you think would be interested in

* giving CarsINC their old car

* giving CarsINC a donation to buy a new used car

* praying for those men and women who have been given the "gift of a lift"

Mother's Day, 2011

As we are about to celebrate Mother's Day, please consider making a contribution to CarsINC in honor of your own Mother. So many of the cars we give are to single moms who are struggling to take care of their children and really need "the gift of a lift" to get to work and help them care for their children.

Did you know that there are over 9.9 million single mothers in the U.S. living with children younger than 18, up from 3.4 million in 1970?

Please send your check to Tom Repaskey c/o St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 218 W. Ottawa, Lansing, MI 48933.

And, remember to wish your Mother a Happy Mother's Day!