Fall River man awarded free vehicle thanks to generous donor

For a Fall River resident, his transportation struggles are now over thanks to a generous donor.

According to a spokesperson, Mark Potvin was awarded a life-changing car from the vehicle donation nonprofit Good News Garage. His used 2008 Hyundai Sonata, donated by a generous New Englander, will end his transportation concerns. The organization states that Potvin is one of over 5,000 recipients of a vehicle from Good News Garage since the New England-based charity began providing reliable transportation to neighbors in need in 1996.

Potvin stated how having a car will make his life easier and expand his employment opportunities. Although he said he’s happily employed, having a car makes it easier to be a dependable employee who is on time and independent, and the car expands future employment opportunities. Instead of feeling like a burden on others, he’s looking forward to being able to help friends and family, and being someone they can rely on.

Through a partnership with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, Good News Garage awards vehicles to Massachusetts residents who cannot afford to purchase cars on their own. Car recipients must be employed or have a written plan for employment. This program is administered out of Good News Garage’s Manchester, New Hampshire office. Car recipients are referred to Good News Garage by the MRC.

A spokesperson for Good News Garage stated the importance of people having dependable transportation.

“A lack of reliable transportation is one of the biggest reasons why people cannot achieve 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. 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.”

For more information or to donate, visit www.GoodNewsGarage.org.