Students at Louisa County High School in Mineral, Virginia, spent months repairing and refurbishing a 2007 gold Prius before handing the keys to Jessica Rader, a single mother of three. Even though she knew a car was coming, Rader couldn’t hold back tears when the moment arrived.
“It’s not just about the car,” said Rader, 40. “It’s about community.”
The vehicle was restored through the school’s automotive technology program in partnership with the local nonprofit Giving Words. Since the organization began, more than 60 cars have been donated to single mothers in need, with high school students working on about half of them. The Louisa County program alone restores around five cars each year.
“Kids who never met me cared about me enough to put hard work into a vehicle to make sure myself and my kids were safe,” Rader said. “I got to meet all of them; it was breathtaking.”
Automotive teacher Shane Robertson said the project gives students hands on experience while also teaching empathy. “It’s a great learning experience,” he said. “It’s gratifying.”
Giving Words founder Eddie Brown said the idea grew from his own struggles with transportation as a single parent. By partnering with schools, he said the impact reaches far beyond the cars themselves, helping students see firsthand how their work changes lives.
For Rader, the gift meant reliable transportation to work, daycare, and school, and helped her regain custody of two of her children. “It helped me in so many ways,” she said. “Seeing that kind of generosity was just awesome.”
- One Man With Kind Words and Meta Glasses Is Quietly Turning Toronto Commutes Into Moments of Human Connection - January 20, 2026
- Wiggly Butts And Happy Hearts As Jacksonville Animal Shelter Lets Dogs Choose Their Humans In Real Life Moment - January 20, 2026
- A Love That Lasts Forever Inside a Hospital Chapel A 31 Year Old Connecticut Woman Marries Her Soulmate Surrounded By Love - January 20, 2026
