Wheels to Prosper 2016 Winners Announced!!!

On Saturday, July 23, we announced the winners of our 2016 Wheels to Prosper Car Giveaway! This year, two vehicles were donated from the Amarillo community, and Channel 10 News was on hand to document the event. Thank you to everyone who participated and attended. We couldn’t do it without you!!!

 

Meet Keshana, Winner of a Mercury Sable

Keshana Darling is the winner of the 1998 Mercury Sable! She is a sophomore in college, and she plans to pursue a career in engineering once she graduates. Last year, she was unable to join her family for the holidays because she didn’t have a car to drive home. This year, she’ll have her own wheels, and be able to get where she needs to go, whether for school, work, or family. Thank you Keshana for helping others, and being a valuable member of our community! We know you’ll do great things with your car and with your life.

 

Meet Larissa, Winner of a Ford Taurus Wagon

Larissa is a single mom with two boys, an 8-year-old and a 4-year-old. Needless to say she has her hands full, and she’s is an EMT, who must always be ready to respond to those in need. Her goal is to advance in her career and become a paramedic, but doing all she needs and wants without a car was nearly impossible. Now she’ll be able to get herself and her boys where they need to go, and pursue her dreams for the future. Thank you Larissa for making a career out of helping others. You deserve a hand up!

Congrats to two very hardworking and deserving people!

 

More on Wheels to Prosper

For us at Aardvark Automotive, one of the highlights of every year is our Wheels to Prosper Car Giveaway in July. The program was started by a group of auto shop owners actively engaged in improving the reputation and quality of service in the auto repair industry. The concept is to use our skills (repairing and maintaining cars) to improve a deserving individual’s life. Our winners are nominated by their family members, friends, and peers because they selflessly help others even when they are in need themselves.

From selecting the right vehicle (or vehicles) for the giveaway to fine-tuning the condition to getting to know our nominees, Wheels to Prosper is always a humbling and extremely rewarding experience. If you’re interested in being involved in our next Wheels to Prosper giveaway, please give us a call or contact us online. We welcome any inquiries and contributions.

Wheels to Prosper 2015 Winners Announced!!!

Our winner, Elizabeth Schiller, with her daughters, Parys & Autumn.

On Saturday, July 25, we announced the winner of our 2015 Wheels to Prosper Car Giveaway! Elizabeth Schiller is the mother of two girls, Autumn and Parys, who is finishing her bachelor’s degree in social work at West Texas A&M University. She is also completing an internship at San Jacinto Elementary School. Through her internship, Elizabeth has volunteered at Heal the City Clinic, which is a health clinic serving Amarillo’s most destitute.

Lynda & Robert, with the Schillers in their new Ford Focus.

The Schillers received a 2005 Ford Focus, fully serviced and ready to hit the road. They were super-happy and extremely thankful. The local news was on-hand to interview them, documenting their excitement and the excitement of everyone here at Aardvark Automotive.

Ready to hit the road!

Wheels to Prosper Winners Announced!!!

Aardvark Auto Gave Away Two Cars on Saturday!

We’re excited to announce our winners from Saturday’s Wheels to Prosper to Giveaway! This is the second year we were able to give away two cars.

Meet Karolyn Foss, Winner of the ’04 Ford Focus

Wheels to Prosper Winner Karolyn Foss and her son, Billy, with Lynda

Karolyn Foss is a hardworking mom, juggling a job and caring for her 6-year-old son, Billy, and 17-year-old daughter, Meghan. Without a car of her own, she has been sharing a vehicle with her parents. Her dad works nights, so she was taking him to work and going back at 3 am to pick him up. In the morning, she would drive herself to work. Meghan also has a job and has been catching a ride with her co-worker. Meghan graduated from high school early, so she could start college and get a job to help her mother.

The Ford Focus will truly make a difference in Karolyn, Billy, Meghan, and her parents’ lives!

Meet Dustin Ammons, Winner of the ’04 Ford Escape

Lynda with Dustin behind the wheel of his new Ford Escape

Dustin Ammons is an 18-year-old senior at Bushland High School. He has been on his own since he was 15, and works two jobs on top of going to school. He actually started school last year as a sophomore, and has taken classes online and studied hard to maintain an “A/B” average. Without a car, he was riding his bicycle to work and taking the bus to school each day. Many times, he would close at Taco Bell, get home at 3 a.m., and wake up in time to get to the bus stop for school. In fact, he never missed a day.

Dustin loves cars and wants to know what makes them work. Needless to say, his goal is to attend automotive school and then work in a shop.

Thanks to All Who Contributed!

We’d like to thank Pro News 7 for donating the ’04 Ford Escape, the Amarillo Bulls for donating $1000 toward repairs, O’Reilly’s on 3rd for donating some parts, LKQ for donating freight on parts ordered, BG Products for donating some flush materials, and Just Fabulous Mobile Wash for detailing both vehicles!

Thank You for Your Help!

Congrats to Two Very Hardworking & Deserving People!

From Lynda, Robert & Everyone at Aardvark Automotive

Car Giveaway TOMORROW!!!

Who Are Aardvark Automotive’s Wheels to Prosper Winners?!

Find Out Tomorrow!

This is the fourth year Aardvark Automotive has participated in Wheels to Prosper, and the second year we’ve been fortunate enough to give away 2 cars! Tomorrow, July 26th, at noon, we announce our winners, and we’re so EXCITED!!! See you at the shop!

Robert & Lynda with Aardvark Automotive’s Wheels to Prosper cars!

More About Wheels to Prosper

Lack of transportation in the Amarillo area is a major drawback for many individuals seeking to gain and keep employment, continue their educations, or otherwise struggling to make ends meet. Wheels to Prosper works to provide reliable, well-running vehicles to assist those in need. The program was started by a group of automotive shop owners actively engaged in improving the reputation and quality of service in the automotive repair industry.

Wheels to Prosper announcement: We are giving away 2 cars!

The 2004 Ford Focus being worked on at the shop

Exciting news! We will be giving away 2 cars this year for our 4th Annual Wheels to Prosper car giveaway! This means so much to us because we will be able to help more of our fellow neighbors thrive!

Robert was able to purchase a 2004 Ford Focus from a customer, and we are currently working hard at fixing it up for the giveaway on July 26th!

If you or a deserving person you know needs a car…

Remember that Wheels to Prosper entries are due at MIDNIGHT on JULY 15, 2014! 

Full instructions are in our Wheels to Prosper blog entry.  

Want to know more about Wheels to Prosper? Click here.

Wheels to Prosper call for entries!

Our Wheels to Prosper 2014 car, a 2004 Ford Escape

We have less than 3 months to go, folks! We are ramping up our efforts for 4^th annual Wheels to Prosper now – over the past few weeks, the Amarillo Bulls donated a $1,000 check for fixing up our Wheels to Prosper car, and Channel 7 News donated our Wheels to Prosper car, a 2004 Ford Escape.

But what would Wheels to Prosper be without nominations from our wonderful neighbors?

This year, the Wheels to Prosper car giveaway will take place on Saturday, July 26 at noon right here at Aardvark Automotive.

Entries must be turned in by July 15^th at MIDNIGHT!!

If you or someone you know has fallen on hard times but is constantly giving back to the community, let us know about it! To nominate someone, fill out our application, available here. Attach a short essay telling us why this person deserves the car.

To submit your entry:

Email your letter and application to aardvarkautorepair@gmail.com

OR

Drop off your entry in person or mail it to our shop:

Aardvark Automotive
Attn: Wheels to Prosper
5825 Canyon Dr.
Amarillo, TX 79110

Find more information about Aardvark’s Wheels to Prosper on the Aardvark Automotive website. Find more information about the Wheels to Prosper program on the Wheels to Prosper website. 

Our day at the Annual Amarillo Autism in Action Awareness Walk

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the 4^th Annual Amarillo Autism in Action Awareness Walk at Sam Houston Park two Saturdays ago, on April 12! Our amazing service writer, Brandon Anderson, helped set up and man our table along with his wife, Renee, and adorable daughter, Maddie. Brandon’s son, Sean, has autism, so this walk was of great personal importance to all of us at Aardvark Automotive (check out the cute Aardvark Automotive poster hanging from our table, with Sean’s picture).

Every year, Amarillo Area Autism in Action puts on the Awareness Walk to raise money for autism education, detection, and treatment. The walk also raises awareness of the disorder while encouraging participants to have a great time!

There was a huge turnout for the event and we passed out goody bags, bubble containers, and water to everyone who passed by. The weather held up great and George Jones, one of our technicians, stopped by with his daughter, Kadee, to say hi.

Check out the slideshow of the event below.

Remember, April is National Autism Awareness Month! To learn more about autism and local events around your area, visit the Autism Society.

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The Amarillo Bulls presented us with a $1,000 check for Wheels to Prosper!

The Amarillo Bulls presenting the check to Lynda Archer

We have some exciting news y’all!

Austin Sutter, Timmy Moore, Carter Penzien, and Cody Gylling from the Amarillo Bulls Hockey Team presented us yesterday with a $1000 check for Wheels to Prosper. This money will go towards the repairs of a car to be given away July 26 at noon at Aardvark Automotive. The car will go to a family that has fallen on hard times and simply needs a hand up.  The car will help the family go to work, school, doctor appointments, or maybe just to the grocery store so they can feed their families. More than just a car, a vehicle will once again will  let family members be productive citizens.

(For more info on how to enter yourself or a deserving friend for Wheels to Prosper, click here.)

The Bulls players were given ten $10 raffle tickets each to sell to raise money for a charity.  The proceeds were divided between two charities: Wheels to Prosper and Panhandle Safe Haven. We are beyond grateful that we were chosen as one of the recipients!

 

Thank you, Bulls!!

Robert and Lynda Archer

Aardvark Automotive

 

Where to find Aardvark Automotive these next few months…

The McCay family, one of the winners of Wheels to Prosper 2013

When we’re not working hard getting your car up and running smoothly we’re out in the Amarillo community, doing whatever we can to help our fellow neighbors thrive. Giving back to the community is one of our utmost priorities.

This spring and early summer we will be participating in several wonderful events around town. If you would like to come to any of them and have questions, feel free to contact us at (806) 242-1073 or aardvarkautorepair@gmail.com.

Hope to see you at one of our upcoming events! May you have a blessed Easter and spring!

—

April 12 – 4^th Annual Autism in Action Awareness Walk & Healthfair

When: April 12; 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Where: Sam Houston Park (4101 Line Ave., Amarillo TX)

We are supporting the 4^th Annual Autism in Action Awareness Walk by having a booth on April 12 at Sam Houston Park.  Bring the kiddos out and let them enjoy the activities, food, and community vendors.  Fun for all! Register online or at the event at 9:00 AM.

May 15 – Business Connection

When: May 15; 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Where: Amarillo Civic Center (401 S. Buchanan St., Amarillo, TX)

May not only brings May flowers but also the Business Connection at the Civic Center on May 15, where we will also have a booth.  This is the perfect time to find out just what wonderful businesses Amarillo has to offer you.

July 26 – Wheels to Prosper Car Giveaway!

When: Noon; July 26, 2014

Where: Aardvark Automotive (5825 Canyon Dr., Amarillo, TX)

We are now taking applications for our 4^th annual Wheels to Prosper Car Giveaway Program, in which a repaired car is given to a deserving family not as a handout but as a hand UP.  The winner of the Wheels to Prosper car will be announced here at the shop at noon on Saturday, July 26, 2014. Do you know someone who has fallen on hard times and could benefit from a used, repaired car? Nominate this individual by filling out an application (you can get one on our website) and writing a short essay on his or her story.

Help us help Teen Christmas!

Teen Christmas provides a $50 Walmart gift card for clothing and shoes.

Oftentimes during the holidays, teenagers get overlooked. Many organizations hold gift drives, but these drives are typically aimed at younger kids. As a result, very little attention is put on older kids and what they need for Christmas.

For our shop’s Thanksgiving special, we offer you a choice: get $15 off a repair or service, or donate that $15 to Teen Christmas, a charity that provides clothing to teenagers in need.

Please visit our website for our special – you can help brighten up Christmas morning for our Amarillo teens!

And if you would like more information about Teen Christmas or wish to donate, please visit the Amarillo Teen Christmas website. You can also read the Teen Christmas mission below by DJ Stubben, owner of Welcome Pardner!, a marketing company based in Amarillo. DJ Stubben created Teen Christmas in 2006, inspired by her own experiences growing up in a household where her mother passed away in her teen years and she felt what it was like to be overlooked at Christmas.

You can see for yourself how Teen Christmas has given hope to the teenagers of Amarillo on Teen Christmas’ Media page. 

Have a wonderful holiday season!

Robert & Lynda

—

Here is DJ’s Teen Christmas mission:

Teen Christmas

This Christmas you can make a difference in a teenager’s life by joining us in sponsoring a teen for our 8th annual Teen Christmas.  Right now in Amarillo there are hundreds of teenagers in need. Thankfully, this Christmas, YOU can make a difference.  There are many great organizations helping those in need and I encourage you to continue to support them. However, many of these programs have a gap for children between the ages of 13-18–our teenagers.  This is where Teen Christmas steps in.

Teen Christmas was established in 2006 to provide clothing and/or shoes for our needy teenagers during the Christmas Season. Last year we were able to provide clothing and shoes from Walmart for over 400 teenagers. Unfortunately, this only accounted for about half of those in need.

This year we are hoping to increase sponsorship so we can help all of the teenagers. Your sponsorship will help us achieve this goal!

A $50 donation will sponsor a teenager and enable him or her to purchase needed clothing and/or shoes this Christmas. 100% of your donation will go to the teenager in form of a Teen Christmas gift certificate. Each teenager who qualifies will receive this gift certificate and redeem it at the Walmart located on the corner of Coulter & 45^th, We invite you join us during this time to see how your generous donation has touched the life of an Amarillo teenager.

Please help us make a difference in a teenager’s life by being a needed sponsor this Christmas Season.

You may send your donations payable to:

Teen Christmas/Generation Next Worship Center

c/o Welcome Pardner!

PO Box 30926

Amarillo TX 79120

If you have any questions or need more details, please contact DJ Stubben at 356-1555, Ext. 5.

We have plenty of teens to serve, and we need to raise the funds to give them a great holiday.

Thank you for your sponsorship and have a Merry Christmas!

-DJ