A Full Circle Moment – Laura’s Story

Written by: Laura M., Vehicles for Change Car Donor

As 2020 came to a close, I found myself reflecting on how incredibly fortunate my family had been throughout the pandemic. Both my husband and I held jobs that were not negatively impacted, and we had the added joy of raising our toddler while anticipating the arrival of our second baby in 2021. In a year filled with uncertainty and hardship for so many, we were acutely aware of our blessings.

My 2011 Honda Civic had been a reliable and steady companion for our family, carrying us through multiple moves, including an overseas assignment in the Middle East and back to the U.S. Life as a military family means constant relocation, and this car had been part of many chapters of our story.  The most special memory was driving our first baby home from the hospital.

One day, I came across an article about how the pandemic disproportionately impacted people who relied on public transportation. For individuals who were immuno-compromised, every bus or subway ride posed a serious health risk. The story stayed with me — especially as a new mom — because I knew firsthand how much easier life was when you had reliable transportation, especially with a baby in tow. I kept thinking, what would I do without a car?

At the end of the year, we received word that we’d be moving overseas again — this time to Japan, where bringing our car wasn’t an option. We started making the usual preparations for an international move, and I realized I had a choice to make about our car. I could sell it or do something more meaningful with it.

The more I thought about it, the clearer it became — I wanted this car to become a lifeline for someone else. I couldn’t shake the thought of a mom like me, someone who just needed a reliable car to get to work, to daycare, to the grocery store — and how having access to a vehicle could change her entire trajectory. I imagined how empowering it would feel to know that this car, which had served my family so well, could now open doors for someone else.

One late-night Google search led me to Vehicles for Change. It felt like fate when I realized they accepted donations from Virginia, where we were living at the time. Without hesitation, I knew this was exactly where my car was meant to go.

We held onto the Civic until just days before our departure overseas. Driving it to its final destination felt bittersweet — after all, it was still in great condition and had been such a constant in our lives. But I also knew the power of what I was giving. This car wasn’t just a vehicle; it was an opportunity. It was independence. It was hope.

I may never know the full story of the person who received our car, but I like to imagine them driving it with joy — the same way I did for all those years. I hope it’s helping them get to work, drop their kids off at school, or simply find a little more freedom in their daily life.

***Vehicles for Change was delighted to inform Laura that her Honda Civic was donated to a single father raising two young children.