Rhode Island Auto Repair Shop Helps Donate Vehicles to Local Veterans in Need

An auto repair shop in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, is partnering with a local organization to donate vehicles to veterans in need, reports The Valley Breeze.

The annual Veteran Car Giveaway is now in its seventh year. The initiative, which comes from New Englanders Helping Our Veterans, grew from a single car giveaway in 2019 to now having as many as six vehicles being given away this year.

Vehicles are donated by community members and are refurbished by Henri’s Auto Repair, which inspects and repairs each vehicle at no cost to the recipient.

“All of these people could have very easily traded those cars in for new ones,” said Bill Gately, co-owner of Henri’s Auto Repair. “But instead of getting the measly $1,000 or $1,500, they’d rather see it be used by a veteran that’s in need.”

Other local automotive businesses help with the process as well. New parts are donated by Raps Auto Supply (NAPA), while used parts are donated from Woonsocket Auto Salvage, and Larry’s Towing of Burrillville helps with moving vehicles.

Winners of the giveaway will be drawn live on air on WOON Radio on Nov. 17, with a giveaway presentation to be held Nov. 22. Names are drawn at random by local figures including the mayor or Sen. Melissa Murray.

“This whole thing is just little people doing a little bit each,” said Gately. “And in the end, we come out with something big.”