Shirley Varney, second from left, received a reconditioned 2010 GMC Acadia at CARSTAR Plover’s Recycled Ride event, Friday, Feb. 8. Also pictured are Recycled Rides project partners Tim Durigan, Mark Motors; Tony and Sharon Kempen, CARSTAR Plover; and Tony Deering, Keystone Automotive.

CARSTAR Plover, 3021 MacArthur Way in Plover, donated a reconditioned 2010 GMC Acadia to Shirley Varney, Stevens Point, during its Recycled Rides event Friday, February 8. It is the 11th vehicle the business has donated to a local family since 2007.

CARSTAR owners Tony and Sharon Kempen hosted the donation event, which was attended by the Varney and her mother, as well as project partners and local leaders.

“It takes a lot of people to make this happen every year,” said Tony Kempen. “It took us a little longer than normal to source a vehicle this year, but we think it was worth the wait and we’re glad Shirley and her family will be able to put it good use.”

Varney’s family includes her fiancé and three children ages 3, 8 and 9. They had been relying on a 15-year-old Chevy Trailblazer. Despite extensive and expensive repair over that past couple of years,
the vehicle continued to have problems.

“It wasn’t reliable enough to drive out of town,” Varney said. “It overheated a few months back and I felt like it wasn’t worth sticking more money into it.”

Though both adults in the household work, money is tight. Their Recycled Ride will allow them get to work, school, medical appointments and other necessary activities.

“This vehicle is a blessing for our family,” Varney said. “It is great to know I have a reliable and safe vehicle for my children to ride in.”

The National Auto Body Council’s (NABC) Recycled Rides program, launched in 2007, is a nationwide awareness program where collision repair members of the NABC repair and donate used vehicles to families in need in their communities.

Farmer’s Insurance donated the vehicle. Towing was donated by Adams Towing in Plover. Parts were donated by the Gandrud Auto Group in Green Bay and Keystone Automotive in Stevens Point. Paint was donated by Finishmaster. Mechanical repairs were donated by Mark Toyota. The entire staff at CARSTAR Plover spent time repairing the vehicle.

To find a recipient family, CARSTAR partners with CAP Services, a local nonprofit organization. CAP’s Board of Directors selects a recipient from applications submitted by CAP clients. Varney
was chosen to receive the vehicle from 11 applicants.