A generous donation by Autobot Sales Inc. will help a single mother of Burns Lake raise her three children.
This is now the third year of Autobot Sales’ Christmas giveaway, which donates a car to a family in need every year.
Kristy Wall, who was chosen out of 18 nominations, has taken home a 2007 Pontiac Montana - worth between $5500 and $8000 - with brand new winter tires. She says the vehicle will bring her the independence she needs to be able to safely drive her kids - who are one, five and eight years old.
The car dealership posted the nominees’ stories on their Facebook page and asked the public who they thought should win. Wall’s story was liked hundreds of times and reached over 8000 people.
“The community decided that she needed it more than anyone else,” explained Doug Waters, one of the owners of Autobot Sales. “Everyone has a story, but it seemed that hers was the most compelling.”
Her sister Kara Wall, who nominated her, said Kristy not only deserves the new vehicle, but that she also really needs it.
“She has found herself single this year and without the family vehicle that she had,” explained Kara. “She has been without a vehicle for quite some time now, causing her to be stuck at home and missing out on activities and outings with her children, and always needing to ask for rides back and forth wherever they need to go.”
“Sometimes that can be very challenging,” she added. “I can’t think of someone more deserving of this vehicle.”
Kirsty has been relying on her sister to driver her family around, and also on her father’s work truck, which she says is not “highway safe” for her kids.
After she got the call from Autobot Sales saying she had won a vehicle, she said her kids were all “excited and screaming.”
“I didn’t know what to say when I got that call; I’m not used to getting good news… I called my sister and I cried.”
“It’s going to be awesome to be able to drive and get a job,” she added. “The kids have already asked me if we can go to Houston swimming.”
The idea to hold an annual Christmas giveaway came from Doug Waters’ wife Kathy, who passed away approximately two years ago.
“The Christmas giveaway honours her,” said Doug. “This is what she wanted for this community, so we will hopefully maintain that in the future.”
“After all, that is the Christmas spirit.”
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