The Thrasher Group, a Bridgeport-based civil engineering firm, has donated two vehicles to Good News Mountaineer Garage, a nonprofit whose mission is to provide transportation to those in need.
Thrasher Group gave a Chevy Suburban and Dodge Durango to The Garage, which will send the vehicles to Rides to Recovery, a pilot program in Huntington that helps recovering addicts get to and from work and appointments. That program is funded through the Appalachian Regional Commission.
“When people seeking work are unable to secure stable employment, it hurts individuals, families and the entire state,” said Chad Riley, CEO of the Thrasher Group. “It’s a huge problem and we thought we could pitch in.”
Good News Mountaineer Garage, based in Charleston, was started in 1999 to help needy West Virginians become independent. Since its formation 20 years ago, The Garage has helped 2,527 families in West Virginia with transportation needs.
“These vehicles can changes lives in West Virginia,” said Jennifer Thacker, executive director of The Garage.
People who donate a vehicle that is accepted by the program are eligible for income deductions on their federal income tax. In some cases, state tax credits are available.
Riley said Thrasher, one of the state’s largest engineering forms, has a fleet of 300 vehicles that it rotates. The two vehicles that went to The Garage were part of the Thrasher fleet, he added.
People who receive a vehicle through The Garage are trained how to perform maintenance.
All vehicles accepted into the program are repaired and tuned up by a reputable mechanic. Those vehicles deemed too costly to fix are sold for parts. And vehicles too expensive for The Garage to maintain are sold to the public. All proceeds are put back into The Garage.
Woody Thrasher, founder of Thrasher Group, is seeking the Republican gubernatorial nomination in West Virginia.
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