Three area families receive cars as part of charity

Sherika Holland was overwhelmed Wednesday when she got her 1995 Pontiac sedan.

It's the first car the 36-year-old Carol Stream resident has owned in two years.

Now she no longer has to walk to the grocery store in bone-chilling winter weather. And the first thing she and her daughter plan to do is find jobs.

"I needed a car because I had no way of getting around," Holland said. "I had no means of transportation. Period."

Holland isn't the only happy driver.

Chana Bernstein, president of the Glen Ellyn-based SARET Charitable Fund, arranged the donations of cars to Holland and two other area families desperately in need of the vehicles.

Still, there are 85 others on the waiting list, and Bernstein said she considers every case a life-and-death situation.

"I especially start my begging and pleading in the winter," she said. "It's the worst time for any charity."

Three different area families donated their cars to SARET.

From there, Bernstein took the vehicles to Car Clinic in Warrenville where they were repaired at low costs. By Wednesday, three lucky women were able to pick up their new vehicles.

John Durachta donated the 1995 Pontiac sedan that's now in Holland's ownership.

"I donated it to help out the organization as well as the families," the 23-year-old Naperville resident said.

Durachta recently bought a new car. Instead of trading in his old vehicle, he figured he could help someone out by donating it.

"It's all about love and service," he said.

Compared to previous years, SARET's list of residents in need of cars is very high. Volunteers are anxious to see the numbers drop.

Bernstein said she believes vehicles bridge people to becoming financially independent.

"Without a car," she said, "you just cannot survive in the Western suburbs."

For more information, call Bernstein at (630) 842-8876 or e-mail her at chanabern@aol.com.