Ho! Ho! Ho! It's 'Car Santa'
Former Used Car Dealer's Program Donates Vehicles To Deserving Recipients In Need
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A Modern-Day Santa Claus
Ten years ago, Terry Franz started "Cars for Christmas" - giving away cars to people who couldn't afford them. Steve Hartman went to Kansas City to talk to this modern-day Santa Claus.
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Ten years ago, Terry Franz started Cars for Christmas. "It's about how you can change somebody's life with something that simple," he says. (CBS)
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"He shattered my windshield. He kicked in my van," Goodyear says, referring to her ex. He was so abusive, and sometimes so violent, she says, that she'd take the kids, run to the car and lock the door.
"I would just sit in the car," and he would pound from the outside in. "And I drive around with that memory and that thought. And someday, I'll have a nice vehicle," Goodyear adds.
That someday was today.
Ten years ago, Terry Franz started Cars for Christmas. Franz owned a used car lot in Kansas City and, as a promotion, he gave away some cars to people who couldn't afford them.
"It's about how you can change somebody's life with something that simple," Franz says.
Today, Franz gets people to donate their used cars. Mechanics volunteer to fix them up and local charities help Terry find deserving recipients. There's no shortage of those: This year alone, his group has given away more than 200 cars.
"I do better at giving them away than selling them I guess," Franz says when asked what happened to his used-car lot.
When he arrived to give Jackie Goodyear her car, she was confused, Franz explains.
"What I saw when I pulled up was, first off, a very confused look on her face, like, what is this about?," Franz says. She began crying tears of joy when he gave her the car.
Goodyear was nominated by Hope House, a local women's shelter that's been helping her.
She hugged everyone — repeatedly — right down to the cameraman. She was so grateful to finally be rid of that ugly reminder of some tough times.
"It's beautiful, absolutely beautiful," Goodyear says. "Thank you, from the bottom of my heart."
"People always ask me why do you do it. Take a look, and it's self-explanatory," Franz says.
Terry's not a wealthy Santa, and because he's so much of his own time and money, Hartman reports, he's actually fallen behind on his own car payments — way behind — like he could lose it. ExxonMobil, sponsor of Assignment America, has agreed to completely pay off his loan.
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Good work. Please keep it up!!
Happy Holy Days for you and your family!!
tourbi
A good story, proving there is always Hope.
There are still people that are are basically good at heart. We need to see more of this type
stories, instead of the Hollywood hoopla.
Thanks for sharing that story with us!
Merry Christmas!
God Bless You. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
PS Terry, I hope you enjoy your car too!
God Bless You, Terry. And you, too Steve!
I am so tired of celebrity "news" items. Many of the folks with millions give because their accountant advises them to and because it is always easier to write a check. Generous, kind people give with no strings attached.
Folks who are suffering don't really care whether Britney is wearing underwear or whether Donald and Rosie hit or miss each other slinging rude, childish comments. Come on people -- grow up!
Thanks for the story Steve. This one was right up there with "Ralphie's Red Ryder BB Gun." Way to go Mr. Franz. And to ExxonMobil? Thanks for being Santa's Helper.
Happy Holidays,
"be kind"
Meeting Steve was a great experience and I can tell you he is one of the most sincere and nicest guys I have met in the media. Thanks for the Truck payoff Steve and Thanks ExxonMobile, the Car Santa and helpers will only buy your gas in the future and I hope its a lot of gas.
Help bring us to your town.
Those of you that want more info see: www.cars4christmas.org
Car Santa
Keep it up,
Cindy
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by sweetangel9
December 25, 2006 11:49 PM PST
- hey car santa, i watched how you give cars out to prople who need them. heres my problem: my fiancee' and i have a beat up truck and monwy is short for us vause im 3 months pregnant and this is our first 1. its an 88 gmc, we put soo much money into the truck and it still breaking down, if u would like to know more please contact me at sugarbabygrl101@aol.com, thank you.
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See all 19 CommentsAshley