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Sioux Falls

Lorie Zacher

I have lived in Sioux Falls for over 20 years & I’m currently without a reliable vehicle to help me get to church, doctors appts, running errands, etc. I had sold my last car to a salvage yard earlier this year, because it kept breaking down on me & I couldn’t handle the stress & anxiety anymore that it was causing me to have.
In the 10 years that I had owned my car, I had put thousands of dollars into it, for car repairs which included, but not limited to a full suspension, a water pump, coolant reservior, 2 thermostats, cv boots (multiple times), wheel bearings (multiple times), tie rods & ball joints (twice), 3 alternators, 2 starters, 3 power steering pumps (within a short period of time, thank goodness for warranties), rack & pinion, front axles, left rear knuckle & numerous other things, besides regular maintenance costs, brakes & tires.
My car had 153,400 miles on it when I sold it to the salvage yard, but I feel that it should have lasted until at least 200,000 miles, because of all the money that I put into fixing it up.
I’m currently on disability & with not having a reliable vehicle to help me get around town, it makes it very difficult for me to go places & do things. When I do decide that I want to go to church, a doctor’s appt, the store for something, etc. I need to either rely on someone to help me, or take a cab to get to a bus stop, just so I can go to church, the doctor’s appt, do some shopping, etc. The closest bus stop to me, is at least 3 – 4 miles away from where I live at, so I have to be very selective on when I can go into town to get my errands done, go to a doctor’s appt, etc. because cab & bus fares aren’t cheap.

Just a side note here, I didn’t post this to get people to feel sorry for me, BUT to let them know that there’s good hearted people in the world who genuinely care about others. I might have had to sell my car sooner to the junk yard, if some kind hearted people wouldn’t have helped me replace the parts that I had bought for the car. I had my car worked on at different mechanic shops at different times throughout the 10 years that I had owned my car.

Rebekka Ziebart

Hello, my name is Rebekka. I am a single mom of an 11-month-old son. I live in eastern South Dakota, which has bitterly cold winters, lots of snow and ice. I am in desperate need of a vehicle so that I can safely transport my 11-month-old son to/from daycare, so that I can continue to work and earn money to support us.

I spend 14+ hours a week riding the bus to get my son to daycare and myself to work, where I am an assistant manager for Firehouse Subs. I am unable to work more than 25 hours a week because of my transportation limitations, and therefore unable to accept a manager position.
I am a single mother in recovery. I’ve been clean and sober for 15 months. I currently live in a faith-based sober living home. By my own choice I am still heavily involved in recovery programs, counseling and discipleship. I have worked hard to get to today. My addiction took everything from me. With God’s will and protection and my diligent efforts, I have been able to regain much: sobriety, freedom from an abusive partner, renewed relationships with my older sons and other family members, my old job back, a place to call home, and a role in my community. Something I have not regained yet is my good credit, which means I am unable to acquire a car loan.
Morning temperatures are very low. The sidewalks are icy and slippery. The snowdrifts and plow drifts make it near impossible to push my stroller. The trip home is even colder with the sun down, and scarier, as I must walk in the street at times if sidewalks aren’t shoveled.
I have saved enough money for registration and insurance, because I have been on the waitlist to receive a car from a charity organization, Wheels-to-Work. However, that program was recently discontinued. Lacking any other means to acquire a vehicle, I’m asking for your vote to receive one through this program.
Having a car means providing physical safety for my son and me as we go to and from work/daycare. It means I could work full time, accept the manager position I’ve been offered and earn more money. I can see my older children more than one day a week. Having a car would immensely help me continue to rebuild my life and become a more productive citizen.
I’m not asking for a hand out. I’m asking for a hand up. Thank you for your charity, your neighborly love. May God bless and keep you. I will be forever grateful.
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Rapid City

Nikkole Bostnar

My family moved here in 2013, I graduated from Oglala Lakota College in 2020 with my bachelors in Business. I started my MBA program in 2021.

I am a single mother of three boys, two of which lost their father tragically this year. We are currently rebuilding our family and adapting to our new reality.

I currently work two jobs and we just need a bit of help with a reliable vehicle.

Danya Martinez

My name Is Danya Martinez I am 33 years old I currently take care of my nephew seven year old nephew who’s name is Winston. The past two years have been very grief stricken for us. My mother past away in May of 2020, a little over a year later In November of 2021. My sister past away at the age of 30 (Winston’s mother). Everyday is another day we are both learning how to go on without our mother’s. I love my nephew like my own and i don’t know what I would do without him. I admire him for his strength he doesn’t fully understand yet but one day he’ll understand that he is where I get my strength from to get through them hard days. Having a reliable vehicle is what we need more then anything. I currently work and go to school part time and volunteer in my free time. This would be a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders. We are forever grateful for everything and would like to thank everyone who took the time to nominate us and for the kind words of encouragement and support from everyone. -Danya & Winston

Candyse Raye Arivett

In 2021, my 6 year old son, and I was in an abusive relationship. I didn’t know were to go because my parents died when I was young and don’t have much family left. I didn’t know anyone in South Dakota because I was new to the state. In January, we left the abuse and moved into OneHeart. Since we left I have started college at Western Dakota Tech and plan on transferring to Mississippi State University Online in January so I can get my meteorology degree. We started going to church more thanks to Suzi and her family. A new car would help me become even more independent and not have to rely on others for a ride.