This Local Garage Helps Families Get Back on Track
Hours of behind-the-scenes volunteer work done by people and businesses in these small towns, Des Plaines and Mount Prospect, give struggling people a needed lifeline - a car. So far, 70 donated vehicles have gone from the Des Plaines-based Good News Garage to those in need, including one this week to an Afghan refugee family who has been in the U.S. since 2021.
On Monday, Aug. 7, smiles were all around as three Afghan refugees received the keys to a donated and upgraded 1998 Ford Econoline conversion van with a wheelchair lift from Good News Garage (GNG) founder Frank Hauser. The GNG is affiliated with and located next to Trinity Lutheran Church in Des Plaines. Hauser and his team had taken the donated van and upgraded its engine and interior. Then through a network of churches a family in need was found to receive the van.
The owners donated the van after they were guaranteed it would go to a family with a handicapped member. Abdullah, who came with his cousins, has a 10-year-old son who is in a wheelchair.
"He is our sunshine and is always smiling," Abdullah said after showing his son's picture on his phone. He said the van is a lifesaver for his family.
Hauser said the van's former owners' son had been handicapped and passed away at the age of 32. It was extremely hard on the family, Hauser said, so they waited a few years before donating it.
As Hauser showed the group how the van, including the wheelchair ramp, worked, Abdullah said he and his cousin had worked for the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. He and his family are doing well, he said, and living nearby. The escape from Afghanistan in 2021, was difficult, noting the handicap van features will also help him. He raised his left pant leg to reveal his prosthetic leg. He lost his left leg in the war. When they escaped Afghanistan in 2021, they were airlifted to Washington, D.C., then moved to Illinois about six months later, he noted.
"We really like it here in Illinois, especially the parks," he said. His young cousin told us he starts ninth grade soon and was excited about returning to school. Due to safety reasons, they asked that their last names not be used.
Hauser then took them on a test drive and made sure they were comfortable driving it. He helped them put the new license plates on the van and explained how the handicapped placard worked.
Hauser, of Mount Prospect, began the GNG 11 years ago. During this time, 75 cars have been donated by people and businesses in the community. From Cadillacs to Mercedes to Camrys, cars and vans of all types and makes are donated to the GNG to help those in need and they keep on coming as Hauser and his wide range of team members give them needed upgrades before they hit the road again.
"We just received several more donations so we can help even more people," Hauser said. "It does take us time and expertise to fix up these cars, but once completed the look on the recipients faces and knowing that we have provided a valuable tool to help them with their lives is a great reward for us.
"People have big hearts," he said. People and businesses recently donated five more cars. Trinity Church, headed by Pastor Linda Thurston, plans a celebration of the GNG efforts when car 75 is finished and turned over to its new owners soon.
These are not your weekend car mechanics. Hauser ran his own garage for 52 years. Today he gets help from neighborhood repair shops and local volunteers. Mount Prospect's Busse Automotive and MB Auto always step in providing pivotal help to the GNG, he said. ASE Master Mechanic (for 30 years) Cliff Schirmer, an Audi employee; experienced mechanic Jean Raquel Francois from Haiti; and "newbie" Ken Chesney, an engineering college student, all volunteer their time helping Hauser prepare the donated vehicles for the recipients.
Car recipients hit challenging times before receiving their GNG vehicle. The next car will be painted and have its front fender and headlamp replaced before going to a family from Zimbabwe. The father has applied for citizenship as a refugee, is living with his family of two kids and wife in his brother's apartment. He works as a home health aide, borrowing his brother's car to go to work, Hauser said.
Hauser recalled the time a couple of years ago when one recipient really hit tough times.
"Troy was unemployed and homeless, sleeping in his car in a Walmart parking lot. Then his car with 216,000 miles stopped running," he said. "Good News Garage had it towed to Trinity Lutheran. We attempted to repair it only to find the engine had failed. Troy had multiple job interview offers, but no way to get to them.
" When all seemed bleak, a car was sent to the church out of the blue," Hauser said. "The car had $2,000 in repairs done to it. Then, again, unexpectedly came a partnership with St. Edna's Catholic Church to pay for all expenses to transfer title, plates and pay for a year of car insurance. Troy got his car on Tuesday morning and job interviews lined up by Wednesday afternoon."
The giving goes both ways. Hauser said he hears back from some recipients of donated cars with stories of thanks and more.
"Some car recipients will call and write thanking us, saying their car has greatly helped them," Hauser said. "Some people even bring cash or checks to say thanks. Recently a man gave $400 cash as a thank you while one man came back and fixed all our gutters and downspouts."
One can contact the Good News Garage at (847) 827-6656 or office@trinitydesplaines.org.