Contact:
Melody Sagnella, Auto Way, (727) 423-2224; Susan Jacobs, Wheels of Success, (813) 995-5040, or, Jonathan Browy, Wheels of Success, (813) 625-4761

AUTO WAY’S LEXUS OF TAMPA BAY DEALERSHIP LAUNCHES '13 CARS OF CHRISTMAS' GIVEAWAY WITH WHEELS OF SUCCESS

TAMPA, Fla. (Dec. 8, 2009) – For Tammy Payne and her family it was becoming increasingly difficult for her to get to her job on time at University Community Hospital and, without a vehicle, rely on public transportation and also be able to get her children to and from school, not to mention run errands like grocery shopping. All that changed on Tuesday.

Tammy was handed the keys to a 2002 Hyundai Elantra that was completely reconditioned and now looks like a brand new model. Joe Petrillo, market president for Auto Way's Florida region, said his entire staff had a hand in transforming the car from worn and weather-beaten to showroom-shiny and polished. The total makeover took about a month with all kinds of automotive technicians donating their own time on every inch of the vehicle and they had the before and after photos to prove it.

And, he's just getting started. "We wanted to make a difference at the local level to families in our store's communities," and that's how the 13 Days of Christmas Car Give-Away came about. Beginning December 8th and for the next thirteen days (except Sunday) in December, one family in each community where AutoWay has a dealership will receive a reliable pre-owned vehicle.

Susan Jacobs, founder and CEO of Wheels of Success and many of its board members were on hand to applaud Auto Way's commitment and generosity.

"We are so glad that you became aware of what we've been doing and that you saw the potential for a great local community partnership," Said Jacobs. She noted that the Wheels of Success program is not a "hand out" but "a hand up" that helps people continue to work, advance themselves and strive for a more secure future for themselves and their children.

To date Wheels of Success has given away over 280 vehicles and provided more than 280 additional transportation services. 89.7% of every dollar raised goes directly back into their program.

Wheels of Success (www.wheelsofsuccess.org) is located at the Family Justice Center, 9309 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, FL. Incorporated in 2003 to help families obtain or continue work by delivering reliable transportation solutions, WOS is Tampa Bay's only 501(c)3 nonprofit organization providing a full range of transportation solutions including vehicle replacement, car repair, licensing, car payment and down payment assistance to low and moderate income working families.