Cars Changing Lives: Transforming Communities One Vehicle at a Time

In the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, Bill and Sandy Long of the Auto Care Clinic have been making a lasting impact through their non-profit organization, Cars Changing Lives. What began as a simple idea to fix up a donated van and give it away has turned into a foundation that’s given nearly 60 vehicles to families in need across five counties. With support from local communities and a passionate team, Cars Changing Lives reflects the power of a small idea that grew beyond its founders’ wildest dreams.

The journey started a few years ago when Bill, with a deep-rooted connection to his community, received a donated Toyota Sienna van. Instead of selling it, he decided to repair it and gift it to someone who needed reliable transportation. But how would they choose who to give it to? Bill and Sandy decided to involve the community, asking for nominations from people who knew of families needing a vehicle.

“We got about 40 nominations,” Bill recalls. “I didn’t want to be the one to decide who got the car, so we formed a small board to choose. That first year, we ended up giving away four cars.” A friend donated one vehicle, and two others came from board members. The idea of a single-van giveaway had suddenly grown.

Since then, the Longs have made it their mission to give away cars to people whose lives would be transformed by the gift of reliable transportation. They didn’t stop there—they became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, allowing them to expand their reach and continue changing lives.

The organization’s impact extends far beyond the number of cars given away. Bill and Sandy emphasize that every vehicle represents a family whose life has been altered for the better. “Transportation is such a huge need in our community,” says Bill. “When you don’t have reliable transportation, it affects everything—work, school, doctor’s appointments, even something as simple as participating in after-school sports.”

Barbara Way joined the organization as executive director, helping to streamline operations and manage the growing demands of Cars Changing Lives. With her leadership, the nonprofit has flourished, surpassing its goal of giving away one car per month. “We’re already beyond that,” says Barbara proudly. “It’s not just about giving away a car; it’s about changing someone’s life.”

Bill recalls one of the most touching moments when a young boy brought a flower to Sandy to thank her for giving his family a car. “His mom had never had a car before,” Bill explains. “Now he can go to after-school sports and activities because they have transportation.” Such stories highlight the ripple effect of providing a vehicle to a family. It helps the direct recipient and impacts others in their lives, like the person who no longer has to give them rides or the children who can now participate in activities.

With over 170 cars donated so far, Cars Changing Lives faces the challenge of managing vehicles that aren’t roadworthy. About two-thirds of the cars donated are too far gone to be fixed, but the organization still accepts them, using parts or scrapping them to fund other cars’ repairs. “We take every car we can get,” says Bill. “And we’re always looking for partners to help us tow vehicles to our shop.”

The organization primarily serves five counties in the Shenandoah Valley: Warren, Shenandoah, Page, Clarke, and Frederick. However, the need is so great that Bill and Sandy constantly expand their reach. “We’re even working on opening a service location in Frederick County,” says Bill.

For those looking to help, Cars Changing Lives accepts car donations and monetary contributions. Beyond that, they’re eager to get the word out to case managers, pastors, and social workers, who often work with families who desperately need a vehicle. “We don’t work directly with the recipients,” Barbara explains. “We rely on case managers to vet the candidates and ensure they’re ready for the responsibility of car ownership.”

Bill and Sandy quickly point out that Cars Changing Lives is more than just a charity—it’s a ministry rooted in giving back to the community. “We don’t do this for the recognition,” says Bill. “We do it because it’s the right thing to do, and we’ve been blessed to be able to help others.” He hopes other auto repair shops might join the cause or start similar programs in other areas. “There’s such a need for transportation. We don’t want to be the only ones doing this.”

With upcoming community events like the Rockland Church Community Fair and a Connect and Serve event in Winchester, Cars Changing Lives continues to spread the word about its mission. It’s always looking for new partners, donations, and people who can help carry the load.

As the Longs look toward the future, their vision is clear: continue expanding their reach and provide even more cars to needy families. “Maybe next year we’ll be at 159 cars,” Bill muses with a smile. “You’ve got to dream big.”