Man Wins Auto Shop Car Giveaway

A man, down on his luck, who still takes the time to help others, is given a major surprise by a local car dealer.

Ray’s Certified Auto Shop announced two weeks ago that they were paying it forward and looking for a special someone in need of a car.
 
“We’re giving away a Saturn SL2,” says auto shop owner Ray Bernard.
 
But not just anyone could be nominated.
 
“A special person that helps out people around them with their time and talent. And could use a car to help them out,” says Ray.
 
Keith Huff works with the Red Cross.

His wife mentioned the contest to him.
 
“Within half a second, I knew I had a guy,” says Huff.
 
Jeff Klonowski and his family lost everything in a house fire last year.

Jeff was so moved by the Red Cross’ help that he began volunteering early this year.

Since March, he said that he’s clocked in over 6,000 volunteer hours. Now he has some new wheels to help him help others.
 
Ray adds, “The community is a much richer placer with you around from what I understand. So we have a set of keys and a title for you today.”
 
“It means a great deal, it saves us a lot of money, upcoming repairs, you know. The car has been a blessing that we have, you know and we’ve been content with it,” says contest winner, Jeff Klonowski.
 
His current car was given to him by the Moorhead Baptist Church two and a half years ago.

That vehicle has over 300,000 miles on it and may not last the winter.

But with this new gift, Jeff’s wife is most excited to have a car with heat.
 
“We’d have to wear sleeping bags doing down the road because the heat wasn’t coming on as good as it would,” says Jeff’s wife, Kate Klonowski.
 
After an emotional day, Jeff and his wife are back at it with their two boys, helping another family face the tragedy of a home fire.
 
Jeff says that Ray covered the tag and license costs for the vehicle.

Ray’s Certified Auto Shop will also cover his oil changes for a year.

This is Ray’s first car giveaway but he says it won’t be the last.