(Video) Helping people helping themselves

The car ministry at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church wants to help people get around.

In 2015, the ministry donated around 20 cars to individuals in need. On Dec. 17, the ministry was able to give away three of those cars.

Ashley Curry, a volunteer who has been with the car ministry since its start around five years ago, said their goal is to help provide transportation for working individuals.

“The whole purpose is to help people who are trying to help themselves,” Curry said.

The ministry receives referrals about individuals in need of a car through social services and other churches, Curry said, and then those applicants go through a vetting process. The applicants will go through a phone interview and in-person interview to determine their need for a car as well as to gather information on what car would fit their needs.

Most of the time, the individuals who receive cars are relying on public transportation or even community members to get to work, Curry said. The unreliable mode of transportation can sometimes be a strain on their work schedules and lives, he said.

VHUMC Director of Outreach Denise Williams said placing an individual with a car means taking into account family size as well as other needs. When determining which car Kerry Timmons, a single father and family-friendly DJ, would receive, Williams said they determined a donated Volvo would be best.

“He has had to rely on his community to get to these jobs, and he is a DJ for family and children,” Williams said. “He needs something that can transport his [equipment] and be able to get to the places.”

As he accepted the car, Timmons thanked VHUMC for their help. He said the car will help keep him on track and get him to the jobs he enjoys doing.

“My son, he’s 5 years old … and he motivates me to stay focused and go for the kids and go for the families, as opposed to going for the clubs and going for the streets,” Timmons said.

When he didn’t have his own mode of transportation, Williams said Timmons had to pay other people to drive him places. Now, she said he hopes having his own car will help out financially.

“God is good,” Timmons said, as he drove off.

Many of the cars the ministry gives away are donated, but they will also purchase or fix up cars for those in need. Curry said oftentimes, the cars they received are donated by elderly individuals who no longer drive.

The ministry also accepts donations, and if someone donates, they will be able to introduce that donor to an individual they have helped pair with a car.

“Every dollar we get goes to the cause, goes to the need,” Curry said.

For more information about the car ministry, visit vhumc.org.