鈥淲e got picked! I wish you were here!鈥�
Silver Creek鈥檚 Nicole Newton was overwhelmed with tears of joy as she shared the news with husband Levi via cellphone that they鈥檇 been selected for the 6th annual Shuswap Christmas Car Giveaway, held at the Salmon Arm Kal-Tire at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023.
Nicole arrived at Kal-Tire accompanied by children Belle, Damon, Abbie and their youngest, Vinnie, along with their uncle Kyle Newton (Nicole鈥檚 brother-in-law) and friend Sonya Budd, who nominated the Newton family for the giveaway. To keep it a secret, the plan was to bring the kids into Salmon Arm to see Santa, with Budd having to make a stop at Kal Tire.
鈥淚n my 74 years on this planet, I鈥檝e never seen a such a deserving family,鈥� said Budd.
At Kal Tire, the Newtons (with Levi at home) were greeted by manager Chris Swinburn, who had the honour of sharing the good news.
鈥淲e went through, I think it was 96 nominations 鈥� a record, the most so far 鈥� and just, given their circumstances and how they contribute to the surrounding area and how they contribute to their own community, they鈥檙e trying their hardest and I feel like this is going to be a good hand up to help them out,鈥� said Swinburn prior to the Newtons arrival.
The annual giveaway is the result of an partnership between Braby Motors Ltd., SASCU Financial Group, Kal Tire and Fix Auto Salmon Arm. This year鈥檚 vehicle, a 2015 Chrysler Town and Country minivan, was in tip-top shape courtesy of the businesses, included $1,500 from SASCU for insurance, gift cards and other surprises.
鈥淲e also got a whole bunch of Christmas presents for the children so they can have a nice Christmas as well,鈥� said Fix Auto general manager David Sziker.
During a group photo, Nicole began to explain how when she heard about this year鈥檚 giveaway, she began messaging friends.
鈥淲e give, I love to give, I don鈥檛 want to take, but I messaged a whole bunch of close friends and said we鈥檙e stuck, we need help鈥�,鈥� said Nicole. 鈥淭his is a鈥� blessing.鈥�
Nicole said she and Levi had two vehicles die on them and had been borrowing a friend鈥檚 truck. Recently, they were able to acquire a truck for Levi to use for work. However, Nicole said she needs a vehicle at least four days a week to get the kids around to appointments and other errands.
鈥淭he kids on the way here were like, 鈥業鈥檓 glad daddy didn鈥檛 come because we didn鈥檛 have to squish in the truck.鈥� Now we don鈥檛 have to squish, we all can fit!,鈥� said Nicole.
Braby Motors hosted the first car giveaway and for Justin Braby, the event makes for one of his favourite days of the year.
鈥淚t will change their lives and it sounds like they鈥檝e got a lot going on, so hopefully this will help this Christmas,鈥� said Braby.
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