WOODBURY — A Woodbury native who at the age of 12 lost his mother to leukemia, and currently commutes up to an hour on public transportation each day to go to school, received an early Christmas gift in the form of much-needed car from Bogg's Auto Collision on Wednesday.
Robert Kennard, now 19, lives with his aunt and uncle in Northeast Philadelphia. He travels to the Universal Technical Institute in Exeter, Pennsylvania, five days a week, where he is training to become an auto and diesel mechanic. Being in the top 10 in his class, Kennard has been invited to attend a three-month course in Texas once he graduates in March.
Until Wednesday, he had no way to get there. Now, he has a road trip to plan.
"Right now, I take the bus to the train, which takes me to Center City, where the school has a bus that picks me up," said Kennard, just after learning he would be receiving a newly refurbished car for free. "It feels great, and I'm truly thankful."
Wednesday marked 11 years that Bogg's Auto Collision, owned by father and son Jim and Jason Boggs, has participated in the Acoat Selected Benevolence Program, which sees auto repair shops across the country take in cars written off as useless after accidents, restore them, and then donate them to a local individual or family in need.
The charity was founded by paint company Azko Nobel 15 years ago. This year, according to Jason Boggs, 200 vehicles will be given away through the program across the United States.
Kennard's new car, a 2001 Honda Accord, was brought in to Bogg's Auto in February 2013, after an accident rendered it "undrivable," Jason Boggs said.
According to the elder Boggs, employees at Bogg's Auto and Tarrach's Service Center, which also located in Woodbury, put in approximately 30 repair hours — all donated — to restore the vehicle.
"This time of year, it's nice to help a deserving person or family in the community, and the program helps to build camaraderie among the people working on the car, because they're all working together for a great cause," said Jim Boggs. "I particularly like the program because I don't think the average person could imagine not having an automobile available to them to get to work or school."
The owners at the repair shop found Kennard through his church, Southwood Baptist Church, in West Deptford, whose leaders knew the Boggs' would be looking for a new recipient of the charity this year.
Joe Lightfoot, senior pastor at the church, said Wednesday he "could not think of a more deserving person."
In a letter submitting Kennard's name for consideration in the program, another church leader, Tina Marie Dischinger, described him as someone who "still strives to honor the memory of his mom."
"Bob could have been a statistic, as he has grown up without his mom due to her lost battle with leukemia, as well as having a birth father who has chosen to no be apart of his life," wrote Dischinger. "Bob could have grown into an angry and nasty young man. He did not. He is trustworthy, honest, caring, dedicated and so very hard working."
Other local companies and individuals who donated parts and other support for the project this year included Till Paint, Rossi Honda, Allamby Properties, Pep Boys, EL&M Auto Recyclers, Dave's Mobile Diagnostic, Kevin Bullock, Addison Quinn Development, Smitty's Auto Upholstery Shop, Paul Heston of the 3M Auto Division, New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission West Deptford Agency Manager Jeff Sanders, and Bob Rosemiller.
In addition, Woodbury insurance company Cettei & Connell are providing Kennard with one year of free auto insurance on the vehicle.
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Jason Laday may be reached at jladay@southjerseymedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonLaday. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
Source : http://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/index.ssf/2014/12/woodbury_auto_repair_shop_gives_restored_car_to_student_with_hourlong_public_transit_commute.html
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