Chicopee woman awarded a life-changing car

April 7, 2021 | Carolyn Noel
cnoel@thereminder.com

Lydia Lopez-Pena is pictured in her newly awarded 2006 Honda Civic. Lopez-Pensa said the car will make her everyday life easier.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo

CHICOPEE – Chicopee native Lydia Lopez-Pena has been awarded a car by the Good News Garage organization. The vehicle donation non-profit gave Lopez-Pena a 2006 Honda Civic to help her have reliable transportation and an easier everyday life.

Lopez-Pena receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) which allows her to qualify for a program called Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC). Through a partnership with MRC, Good News Garage is able to award vehicles to Massachusetts residents who cannot afford to purchase cars on their own. All car recipients must be employed or have a written plan for employment.

After receiving a referral and getting in touch with Good News Garage, she was awarded the car. Lopez-Pena is one of over 5,000 vehicle recipients from Good News Garage since the charity began in 1996.

“It’s a great car,” said Lopez-Pena.

Before receiving the Honda Civic, Lopez-Pena said her previous transportation was old and slow. Now Lopez-Pena is able to use her new car for various daily activities.

“I go to church in it, I run my errands and I go to my doctor’s appointments,” she said.

Lopez-Pena said that receiving the car has had a definite positive impact on her life. Besides paying for the car’s title and taxes, it was entirely free.

Good News Garage works to help alleviate transportation struggles all across New England.

“A lack of reliable transportation is a major barrier preventing people from achieving upward mobility and financial self-sufficiency. This is especially true in rural areas that lack a substantial public transportation network, or one that runs outside of conventional working hours,” said Tom Kupfer, marketing specialist for Good News Garage, in a press release. “Good News Garage’s ability to help our neighbors in need is only limited by the number of vehicle donations it receives. The organization remains one of the few car-donation programs in the country that awards donors’ old or unused cars to neighbors in need, and in doing so can offer donors generous tax deductions.

Those interested in learning more about Good News Garage are encouraged to visit their website at www.GoodNewsGarage.org.

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