Monday, December 19, 2011

Safe Kids, ABRA Auto Body & Glass Donate Vehicle to Family in Need

(Salt Lake City, UT) – Safe Kids Utah, ABRA Auto Body & Glass, and Primary Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) gave a reconditioned minivan to a South Salt Lake family today as part of the National Auto Body Council’s Recycle Rides program. Recycle Rides identifies families in need across the U.S.  Member shops repair and donate recycled vehicles to families in their communities.

The Rivera family was selected for this year’s donation because they have three young children, ages five, two, and five months. The two youngest children have spina bifida. The family doesn’t currently have a vehicle and relies solely on public transportation or rides from family and friends to get around, including several trips each month to specialists for their children’s health care needs.

“Receiving a car will be such a great help to us. We have to take TRAX or the bus everywhere we go,” said Inelise Rivera. “With two little children with special needs, we have to see the doctor several times each month and this will really help with that,” Rivera added.  “The weather is getting cold and I was worried about being outside so much and causing more problems for the kids. We are very grateful to everyone who has made this possible.”  

Car seat technicians from Safe Kids Utah and PCMC also installed three car seats in the minivan for the family, to ensure the children are safe each and every time their ride in their new vehicle.

“We chose to partner with Safe Kids and Primary Children’s because of their great reputation in helping children and families in Utah,” said Greg Peeters, District Manager, ABRA Auto Body & Glass-Utah. “Knowing we helped someone as deserving as the Rivera family, especially during the holiday season, makes this a very special project for all involved. We are honored to be a part of it.”

Donations for the project were generously provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance, Parts Chain, Advanced Detail, South Bountiful Auto, Sherwin Williams, Lynn’s Auto, Christopher Kia, Costco, Primary Children’s Medical Center, and Safe Kids Utah. 

For information on keeping your family safe in a motor vehicle, visit  http://www.safekidsutah.org/.

Media Contact:
Christi Fisher
Violence & Injury Prevention Program
(o) 801-538-6852 (m) 801-860-2544
Laurie Janu
ABRA Auto Body & Glass
(o) 763-585-6240