Donated cars give Denver Rescue Mission clients new freedom
CBS Colorado is partnered with the Denver Rescue Mission to Spread the Warmth this winter. We're raising awareness and collecting donations to support the work the Rescue Mission does to bring people inside and out of the cold.
In addition to providing emergency shelter services, every guest can access hot meals and staff members who will help them navigate the steps it takes to get into sustainable housing.
The Denver Rescue Mission also has a program that addresses drug addiction and housing, called the New Life Program. New Life is a 9-month to a year-long program that offers clients a sober community, temporary housing, spiritual guidance, and access to case management. The program gives clients the time and space they need to rebuild their lives. At the end of the program, some clients are gifted a car.
"Part of the goal is full-time employment, and if they're going to graduate and have full-time employment, they need a way of transportation," said Jay McKinley, director of the Rescue Mission's Ministry Outreach Center.
The Denver Rescue Mission's Give a Vehicle program accepts vehicles in any condition. If a vehicle no longer runs and can't be fixed, the Rescue Mission can sell it for scrap and put the money back into the program.
"People have donated classic cars and very nice vehicles that we can sell at auction and take the money and put it back into the program," McKinley explained.
The most desirable donations are vehicles that need moderate repairs and have been gently loved.
"We have a full-time mechanic who will do an inspection on the vehicle, and he'll earmark those vehicles that he thinks will be a good fit," McKinley told CBS News Colorado.
Eddie has been that mechanic for two-and-a-half years. He's been in the business for 43 years and calls this the best job yet. On a budget of $500 per car, he's dedicated to giving graduates the best vehicle they can get.
"If you want to help someone in our community, if you want to help men and women who are trying to improve their lives, it's just a wonderful practical way to give back," McKinley added.
The donation is tax-deductible, and the gift literally changes lives. Lloyd Gayhardt recently graduated from the New Life Program and will soon be getting a car.
"I'm thankful and I'm blessed that I kind of get to restart," he told CBS News Colorado.
Gayhardt struggled with meth addiction, spent time in prison, and lived on the streets.
"I was living in a tent before and didn't know where to go from there," he recalled.
He ended up in the New Life Program and now has 17 months sober.
"They helped me to rebuild my relationship with my children, with my sisters, and with the Lord," he said. "My kids are in Littleton. For me to have to go all the way out there from here, it's a two-and-a-half hour bus ride."
Getting a car means that Gayhardt can see his children every weekend. He will also be able to volunteer as a peer recovery specialist, driving around other New Life Program members to appointments and on errands.
"It's extra that I'm giving back for what I was given," Gayhardt said.
The Denver Rescue Mission receives about 250 to 270 vehicle donations every year and gifts 60 to 70 of them to program graduates. Each recipient needs to have a valid driver's license, the means to pay for registration, insurance, and basic upkeep of the car. The Give a Vehicle program is another way the Denver Rescue Mission provides its clients with a new life.
The Spread the Warmth campaign accepts donations of money or warm weather gear that the Denver Rescue Mission can then use to keep people warm this winter.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Intoxalock Announces 2024 Drunk Driving Prevention Scholarship Winner
University of Georgia Student Shawn Bulloch Wins Scholarship for Drunk Driving Prevention Video and Advocacy Work "New Life" - Shawn Bulloch Intoxalock Submission DES MOINES, Iowa, May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Intoxalock, the nation's leading provider of ignition interlock devices with more than 5,500 service centers, the largest network in the industry, and a strong advocate for impaired driving prevention, today has named Shawn Bulloch as the recipient of the 2024 Drunk Driving Prevention Scholarship. This annual scholarship honors students who champion road safety and use their voice to influence positive changes in their communities. Kathy Boden Holland, chief executive officer at Mindr, praised Shawn's unique ability to connect emotionally and inspire action through his message. "Shawn exemplifies what this scholarship is all about, which is using education and communication as tools to drive change and reduce drunk driving," said Boden Holland. "What makes his message so compelling is how thoughtfully it's built. It tells a moving story of how graduation, a moment designed to celebrate new life and fresh beginnings, can be tragically taken away by one reckless choice. It reminds us that drunk driving does more than claim lives, but it interrupts futures. That is why our company remains committed to reducing alcohol-related crashes and helping restore individual freedom to drive. Shawn's work is a shining example of how young leaders can leverage tools to educate and advocate for real solutions. We congratulate Shawn on winning the Intoxalock Scholarship and are proud to support his career journey. By sharing his powerful message, we honor his work that will inspire smart choices that will save lives." Shawn is an ambitious marketing major at the University of Georgia and hopes to pursue a dual career path after graduation. He plans to continue building his wedding photography business while working at a digital marketing agency. His passion for visual storytelling and education resonated strongly in his application, most notably in the impactful PSA video. In the video, Shawn tells an emotional story that captures both the heights and fragility of life. Guiding the viewer through important life milestones — graduating, surviving cancer and embracing a second chance on life — before explaining that one careless decision can bring it all to a tragic end through a drunk driving crash. As Shawn puts it in the video, "Devices such as Intoxalock help ensure that a new life won't turn into no life." Shawn says the scholarship helps him in more ways than one. "This scholarship will certainly alleviate the financial burden that is associated with attending college," he said. "But more importantly, it motivates me to speak up on issues that continuously affect our communities. Education is the best tool for generating true change, and I want to be someone who uses knowledge to move our society forward." He added that his motivation to apply for the scholarship came from a deep sense of responsibility. "Every time that I hear a story about casualties due to drunk driving, my heart aches for everyone involved because such incidents are truly preventable. Education surrounding drunk driving and its impacts is crucial today. If I have even a small part in spreading awareness for drivers' safety, I feel I have accomplished my goal of promoting the educational advancement of society." You can follow Shawn on Instagram at @Shawn_B322 to learn more about his journey and his work. For more information, visit or About Intoxalock Intoxalock is the leading ignition interlock provider in the U.S., with the nation's largest service center network, the highest number of annual installations, and a proven track record of helping people safely get back on the road. Intoxalock works with legal and state systems to promote responsible driving, offering trusted solutions for compliance and prevention. As part of the Mindr family of safety and monitoring brands, Intoxalock is committed to education, innovation, and creating safer roads for everyone. About Mindr Mindr is a national leader in substance detection, monitoring, and safety solutions. Its portfolio of trusted brands includes Intoxalock, Breathe Easy Insurance, Keepr, and ADS Interlock. Mindr is focused on empowering individuals and institutions with the tools to make better decisions and create safer communities. The company is backed by L Catterton, a global private equity firm with more than 34 billion dollars in assets under management. For more information, visit or View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Intoxalock Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CBS News
05-04-2025
- CBS News
Car dealer owner gets car back after vehicle was involved in crime; Denver police waive $12k impound fees
The owner of a local car dealer finally got his vehicle back after it had sat in a Denver impound lot for a year and a half, racking up more than $12,000 in impound fees. He says how the car got there, though, wasn't his fault, and he didn't have any luck getting it back until CBS News Colorado got involved. Berhane Gebere is the owner of Colfax Motors in Aurora. Two years ago, he said he sold a 2007 Merecedes to someone. He found out that at some point, another person drove the vehicle and committed a crime, which led to the vehicle being towed and taken to an impound lot in Denver, where it sat for months. "We are the victim. We have not committed a crime," said Gebere. "I own the car. And the city has no right to seize the car." CBS Colorado spoke with Gebere on Thursday, who said he, his staff, and his lawyer have been working to get the car back for months with no luck, contacting everyone they could think of, including the Denver Police Department, the Denver Sheriff Department, and the City of Denver. With the car sitting at the impound lot for months, the impound fees grew each day, but Gebere believed he shouldn't have to pay that money, and now he won't have to. "I didn't want to give up because the people were doing a mistake," said Gebere. CBS Colorado contacted Denver police looking for answers and to get clarity on what happened. Denver Police say the vehicle was towed in connection to an investigation and was being held as the investigation was completed. The investigation closed several months ago, but until this week, Gebere was still being told he had to pay thousands of dollars to get his car back. Gebere was also told the car would even go up for auction this week, with the auction closing on April 6. Within 48 hours of CBS Colorado contacting Denver police, the car was pulled from the auction, and the $12,000 in daily fees that accrued were all waived. "I'm grateful. I'm excited. I'm really excited, and I'm happy too," said Gebere. Gebere was asked to pay only $120, which was the amount paid by the city to have the vehicle towed to impound. On Friday, he finally picked his car up. While the car did have some damages, and the keys were missing, he was thankful to finally get it back. "I really appreciate it," said Gebere. "Thank you for CBS News. You guys are voice for voiceless people, and that's the reason I got my car back." Denver police say the person who committed the crime and was the driver of the vehicle was arrested for attempted second-degree murder. He was found guilty of illegal discharge of a firearm and was sentenced to three years in jail.
CBS News
21-02-2025
- CBS News
Donated cars give Denver Rescue Mission clients new freedom
CBS Colorado is partnered with the Denver Rescue Mission to Spread the Warmth this winter. We're raising awareness and collecting donations to support the work the Rescue Mission does to bring people inside and out of the cold. In addition to providing emergency shelter services, every guest can access hot meals and staff members who will help them navigate the steps it takes to get into sustainable housing. The Denver Rescue Mission also has a program that addresses drug addiction and housing, called the New Life Program. New Life is a 9-month to a year-long program that offers clients a sober community, temporary housing, spiritual guidance, and access to case management. The program gives clients the time and space they need to rebuild their lives. At the end of the program, some clients are gifted a car. "Part of the goal is full-time employment, and if they're going to graduate and have full-time employment, they need a way of transportation," said Jay McKinley, director of the Rescue Mission's Ministry Outreach Center. The Denver Rescue Mission's Give a Vehicle program accepts vehicles in any condition. If a vehicle no longer runs and can't be fixed, the Rescue Mission can sell it for scrap and put the money back into the program. "People have donated classic cars and very nice vehicles that we can sell at auction and take the money and put it back into the program," McKinley explained. The most desirable donations are vehicles that need moderate repairs and have been gently loved. "We have a full-time mechanic who will do an inspection on the vehicle, and he'll earmark those vehicles that he thinks will be a good fit," McKinley told CBS News Colorado. Eddie has been that mechanic for two-and-a-half years. He's been in the business for 43 years and calls this the best job yet. On a budget of $500 per car, he's dedicated to giving graduates the best vehicle they can get. "If you want to help someone in our community, if you want to help men and women who are trying to improve their lives, it's just a wonderful practical way to give back," McKinley added. The donation is tax-deductible, and the gift literally changes lives. Lloyd Gayhardt recently graduated from the New Life Program and will soon be getting a car. "I'm thankful and I'm blessed that I kind of get to restart," he told CBS News Colorado. Gayhardt struggled with meth addiction, spent time in prison, and lived on the streets. "I was living in a tent before and didn't know where to go from there," he recalled. He ended up in the New Life Program and now has 17 months sober. "They helped me to rebuild my relationship with my children, with my sisters, and with the Lord," he said. "My kids are in Littleton. For me to have to go all the way out there from here, it's a two-and-a-half hour bus ride." Getting a car means that Gayhardt can see his children every weekend. He will also be able to volunteer as a peer recovery specialist, driving around other New Life Program members to appointments and on errands. "It's extra that I'm giving back for what I was given," Gayhardt said. The Denver Rescue Mission receives about 250 to 270 vehicle donations every year and gifts 60 to 70 of them to program graduates. Each recipient needs to have a valid driver's license, the means to pay for registration, insurance, and basic upkeep of the car. The Give a Vehicle program is another way the Denver Rescue Mission provides its clients with a new life. The Spread the Warmth campaign accepts donations of money or warm weather gear that the Denver Rescue Mission can then use to keep people warm this winter.
