‘This has changed our lives’: Families receive Christmas gift of a lifetime

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Lives were changed as families in need received a car and truck full of toys.

This is all part of Cars 4 Heroes, which gives free cars to veterans, first responders, active-duty military, and families in need.

Fifteen local families were handed keys to their new cars Friday morning at Fowling Warehouse.

What started back in 1996 is all thanks to Terry Franz, Car Santa, and his team. The event keeps growing every year. They gave out 30 cars this season and are giving away hundreds in different cities year-round.

It changed the life of Ashley Bland, a firefighter and single mother who has a 7-month-old baby girl named Ember.

“Ember sustained an injury at birth, and this gets us to specialist appointments over an hour and a half away,” Bland said. “We didn’t know how we were going to get her there. We were kind of playing car juggling with the rest of my family, just kind of guessing who gets what car.”

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Tears streamed down her face when she took her new car keys; she no longer has to worry how she’ll get Ember to her appointments.

“It was scary, this has changed our lives,” Bland said.

It’s a team event that so many local organizations and people play a huge role in to make these families feel the love they deserve. Toys from Heart to Heart filled the trucks or the cars. Gas cards were also given out by Elks Club, while Price Chopper provided them food.

This year’s event was dedicated to Brian Adams, former beloved KC radio DJ known as ‘Slacker,’ who partnered with Car Santa for 16 years before ing away last year due to cancer. He helped give away thousands of cars in Kansas City.

To donate, apply, or get involved, go to Cars 4 Heroes.

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