JACKSON Tenn – . Raymond Moore, who works at Donation Express Centers in both Lexington and Jackson, is the beneficiary of Goodwill’s Wheels-to-Work Program. Life’s bumpy road will be a little smoother for the Goodwill donations attendant, now that he is riding in a reliable car he got for free.
Wheels-to-Work Program was established to help Goodwill employees and clients who need reliable transportation to get to work.
Goodwill President and CEO Matthew Bourlakas presented Moore with the keys to his “new” car — a 1999 Honda Accord — during a ceremony Friday morning at the Goodwill Career Solutions Center on West University Parkway.
Moore said the car is a huge step up from his 1992 Chevrolet Lumina. He has been fighting a losing war to keep the old car on the road, being forced to make expensive repairs, such as replacing the water pump, head gaskets and the engine. He couldn’t even drive on the interstate without the car overheating.
Moore said, “Now I can get to work and church without needing to get towed and having to call somebody to pick me up,”. It’s a big deal to me,” he said.
Moore said he moved to Tennessee in 2009 to look for work after losing his job in Wisconsin. Two months after arriving in the Lexington area, he remained jobless. Moore said his uncle suggested he visit the nearest Goodwill Career Solutions office for help. He did and was hired as a donation attendant.
According to Goodwill spokesperson Chris Fletcher, applications were accepted. A selection committee made up of Goodwill employees from various departments helped to determine who was eligible to participate. To qualify for the program, participants had to meet certain qualifications such as being employed at least 30 hours, having a valid driver’s license and good driving record. After being notified of acceptance into the program, participants had to complete training classes on budgeting, defensive driving and car maintenance. There are several employees and clients currently on a waiting list for the program, so if you have a vehicle you’d like to donate, know that it will be put to good use.
