Single mom gets reliable vehicle in Giving Back Campaign

May 1, 2020 | 1:22 PM

A Vernon mother says it’s amazing to have such a huge source of stress and worry lifted off her shoulders.

Sara White is the first winner of the Giving Back Campaign by Bannister Honda where she received a pre-owned Toyota Corolla to help get her and her four-month-old daughter Isla around safely.

The dealership launched the program in early April to help people affected by Covid-19 and had over 100 entries.

“It was clear from talking to our customers that this crisis was hitting hard and hitting fast. There’s a lot of need in our community, and I wanted to do whatever I could to help,” said Pat Loehndorf, general manager and partner.

Loehndorf looked at his inventory and chose two vehicles to give away.

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“We know that reliable transportation can be hard to come by during a public health crisis. That’s something I can help with, and we started with a safe, reliable Toyota Corolla to give away to a family who needs it.”

Bannister Honda received over 100 nominations after announcing the campaign on April 1.

A panel of employees went through the entries, eventually deciding on Sara White.

“It was incredibly hard to narrow it down,” said Loehndorf,“ and yet, I know that this vehicle will really benefit Sara and Isla. Their story really hit us hard.”

That story, says White, started last fall when Isla was born.

“I had a very complicated pregnancy followed by a very traumatic birth that. My baby girl and I had a really tough start, and both of us almost died. We are so thankful to the incredible doctors at Vernon Jubilee Hospital and Vancouver Children’s Hospital who kept us alive and together today.”

The single mom’s introduction to motherhood was further complicated by the Covid crisis shuttering support groups and ctivities that new moms rely on, and making it hard to get to necessary doctors appointments without a vehicle.

“I can’t describe how much this is going to change our lives. To have such a huge source of worry and stress lifted of my shoulders is just so amazing.”

On Wednesday, White picked up the vehicle from Bannister Honda, accompanied by Isla and Sara’s mother Wendy, whose nomination had caught the attention of Loehndorf and his staff.

“My mom has been such a huge help to me through my life,” said White, “and this is just the latest example of what an incredible woman she is.”

After signing the papers and securing Isla’s car seat safely in the back seat for the first time, White turned the key on her new vehicle for the first time.

As she drove off the lot, with Bannister Honda’s staff cheering her on, Loehndorf could not contain his smile.

“I’ve had thousands of happy customers drive off the lot, but this one…this one is special. I can’t wait to do this again in May!”

Nominations to receive a vehicle remain open until May 27, as Bannister Honda has a 2008 Honda Civic to give away to another family in need.

If you know someone who can use a reliable vehicle, nominate them at bannisterhonda.com/givingback/

by Vernon Matters Staff/Bannister Honda

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