Statesman Season for Caring families need used cars. How you can help.
Every morning, Nichole Babbitt walks her twin 3-year-olds to the day care facility down the street when it opens at 7 a.m. Then she calls a ride-hailing service to get to her office at the Texas Department of Transportation by 7:30 a.m. If she took the bus, she would be late every day.
If she needs to go to the grocery store, she loads up car seats and the twins into a ride-hailing service vehicle. The Austin mom, who celebrated her first year of sobriety in November after 20 years of addiction, knows that not having a car is just a small bump in the road. But it’s a $500-a-month expense that she cannot afford.
Every night, Nathan Davis takes a $60 ride-hailing service trip to get to work from his mother-in-law’s home in Pflugerville to the airport, where he loads planes. Then, during the day, he takes college courses online while caring for his son, Nakari, 16 months, who has a disorder that affects his eyesight, hearing and development. The family’s car was stolen in the spring, and they had to leave their South Austin apartment after the air conditioning broke yet again.
Del Valle teacher William Daugherty uses ride-hailing services, or a friend’s truck if it’s available, to get to work when he is healthy enough. The rides are expensive because he lives in Bee Cave. His non-Hodgkin lymphoma has returned for the fourth time, making teaching every day difficult and making a vehicle to get to his treatment a necessity.
These are just three of the people highlighted in this year’s Austin American-Statesman Season for Caring program. The families are chosen by local nonprofits, who will use donations to help the featured families first and then help hundreds of other families throughout the year.
This year, the most requested thing the featured families have on their list is a gently used car or car repairs. They are stuck between relying on expensive ride-hailing services or taxis or begging friends or family for rides or the use of a vehicle. Often, the bus doesn’t get them easily to where they need to go.
Season for Caring invites the community to help our families with reliable transportation. Donate a vehicle, donate car repairs, or buy an Uber or Lyft gift card and send it to the agency. We also invite local car dealers to help Season for Caring agencies with securing a deal on a used car.
Last year, First Texas Honda helped the Breast Cancer Resource Center get a used vehicle for its Season for Caring recipient.It has made all the difference in that family’s life.
Here are the families who need help with transportation:
Dexy Amador and Dennis Rodriguez: These parents from Honduras came to the United States to seek better medical care for their son, who was having seizures. They need a pickup for Rodriguez’s work. Foundation Communities, 737-267-5738, foundcom.org.
Nichole Babbitt: This single mom is rebuilding her life after being homeless and getting sober. She needs a gently used car and ride-hailing service gift cards. Foundation for the Homeless, 500 E. St. Johns Ave., Suite 2.400, Austin, TX 78752, 512-453-6570, foundationhomeless.org.
Jazmin Campbell: This 21-year-old went from being a high school cheerleader to being in a wheelchair because of a neurological disorder. She needs repairs to her wheelchair-accessible van. Austin Palliative Care, 512-397-3360, option 3, austinpalliativecare.org.
Thamairis Canales Yanez: This mother from Venezuela has breast cancer that has gone to her brain. She wants to create stability for her daughter, Ivanna, who is 14. Her biggest need is a car with self-braking. Breast Cancer Resource Center, 512-524-2560, bcrc.org.
William Daugherty: The Del Valle middle school teacher’s car was repossessed during his cancer treatments. He needs a gently used car as well as ride-hailing service gift cards. Community Action Inc. of Central Texas, 215 S. Reimer Ave., Suite 140, San Marcos, TX 78666, 512-392-1161, communityaction.com.
Kathia Gomez: This mom of three boys continues to deal with the trauma of raising herself after her mother was deported when she was 12. She wants better for her boys. She needs a gently used car. SAFE, 512-844-1392, safeaustin.org.
Ana Laura Martínez Aranda and Olga Aranda Guzmán: Ana and her mother, Olga, came to the United States from Mexico to escape violence. They have been homeless and lived in their car. They need car repairs. Hospice Austin, 512-342-4726, hospiceaustin.org.
Gina Lopez: This Georgetown mom has pancreatic cancer and is unable to work during treatment. She and her family need help with car repairs. Wonders & Worries, 512-329-5757, wondersandworries.org.
Jalayah Patterson and Nathan Davis:They need a gently used car and ride-hailing service gift cards. Any Baby Can, 6207 Sheridan Ave., Austin, TX 78723, 512-276-8199, anybabycan.org.
Carlos Vallejo Jr.: This native Austinite lost his right arm and leg in a boating accident. He needs a more accessible vehicle. Meals on Wheels Central Texas, 512-476-6325, mealsonwheelscentraltexas.org
About Season for Caring
The Statesman will be sharing the stories of all 12 Season for Caring families throughout the holiday season. Find more stories and information at statesman.com/seasonforcaring.
All donations are being matched up to $500,000 by the Sheth family through Christmas Day. You can donate online or use the coupon on Page 27A and mail it to Austin Community Foundation, c/o Statesman Season for Caring, 4315 Guadalupe St., Suite 300, Austin, TX 78751. Make checks payable to “Statesman Season for Caring.”
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