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Students' training provides transportation for needy

At Withlacoochee Tech, students fix up cars in need of a little work for families in need of a reliable vehicle.

By PAULETTE LASH RITCHIE
Published February 8, 2007

INVERNESS

There is a 1999 Silhouette van in the Withlacoochee Technical Institute auto technology workshop in need of repair.

It needs electrical work, new tires, new brakes, transmission service, a tune-up and some body work.

When the WTI students are done with it, the van will make some local family very happy.

This van is the first project in a new program at the institute called "Cars That Care."

School assistant director Mike D'Angelo said WTI will solicit cars twice a year from local dealers.

Auto tech students will get the car into good mechanical shape, then send it to auto repair students, who will make it look good. The madeover vehicle will be turned over to a community organization, such as the United Way, for distribution to a local family in need of dependable transportation.

The Silhouette was donated by Steve and Jewel Lamb of Crystal Chevrolet. There will be other businesses involved as well.

D'Angelo said the shop will get auto parts from AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts and NAPA Auto Parts. Jim's Discount Muffler will provide exhaust systems. LKQ Crystal River will provide items for body repair work. Tires will come from Tire Kingdom.

The partnership will benefit the students as well as the recipients of the cars.

"We're excited about it at WTI because it gives us newer models to work on, gives the students a sense of ownership and (a way) to give back to the community," D'Angelo said. The last of those three benefits is "probably the component WTI feels most proud of," he said.

Another benefit to students includes making contacts outside of the school with companies that could provide future employment.

D'Angelo pointed out the advantages to the participating businesses. Besides a tax write-off, the companies will have a say in the curriculum and will be contributing to the community.

The two teachers overseeing the program are auto tech's Mike Awe and auto body's Al Persavich. The students currently working on the van are Joe Freeman, Chris Baughman and Robert Owens. Baughman, 18, said they did a lot of electrical work and indicated he is glad to be helping someone less fortunate get a car.

"I feel pretty good," he said.

[Last modified February 7, 2007, 20:57:55]