Today was a big day for the Randall Reed family. We were part of an amazing community contribution presentation from SpringCreek Church who worked in tandem with the community and local businesses to raise funds for two much-needed 2013 Ford E-350 14-foot box trucks for New Beginning Center and Good Samaritans of Garland, Texas.

The New Beginning Center, which helps victims of domestic violence and the Good Samaritans of Garland took place at Randall Reed’s Prestige Ford in Garland. This project began as an identified need within the local community for transportation needed by the two non-profit organization. So, Pastor Keith Stewart and Pastor Wes Helm and the Springcreek Church membership body led the way to begin raising funds.

Both organizations also reached out to Katie Koberg, the Community Relations Coordinator at Randall Reed’s Prestige Ford (serving the greater Dallas Fort Worth area), who had sponsored past events for both charities. Prestige Ford was able to locate two new 14-foot box trucks for the project. A wrap and magnets were created for the box trucks to help spread the word about the organizations as they drove around town helping those in need.

Serving in our community provides valuable networks for businesses, non-profits and individuals to connect. If it is serving our non-profits, supporting our local police and fire departments, or working within our school districts, the American dream is accomplished by many more if we choose to work together. I am proud of our community, my staff, and loyalty of our customers.

For the non-profits, the box trucks are more than a mode of transportation; the trucks serve is a lifeline for their charity and its clients.

“Our ability to pick up food for the nearly 400 families each month we feed every week was a great struggle as we had a simple truck to make the pick ups from the local donation locations. With the new truck, we are better prepared, and more able to serve the hungry in our community,” said Jim Griffin, Executive Director of the Garland Good Samaritans.

“We serve families affected by domestic violence through education, prevention and intervention services and programs. With this truck we are able to do things more efficiently, it allows us to pick up food donations for our shelter and our food pantry, pick up large donations for our re-sale store, and also help our clients relocated to a safer place to live. This gift has a tremendous ripple effect across Garland and the DFW,” said Cindy Turek, CEO of the New Beginning Center.

Both organizations are always looking for additional support and donations so they can continue to help those in our community. “Everybody has gift,” said Mr. Griffin. “We want you to use those gift to help us and others in Garland who are in need.”If you would like to make a food donation to the Good Samaritans, Mr. Griffin says, “We invite you to bring your donations to 214 N. 12th Street at the big white painted sign.” Mr. Griffin points out the painted sign was thanks to the gifts of I am Second Garland High School Students.

The New Beginning Center has a resale shop that is always in need of clothing, household items, children’s items and more. If you would like to make a contribution, Colleen Jamieson, the Chief Operating Officer said any and all donations are welcome and appreciated. You can drop them off at 120 West Kingsley Road in Garland. I would also like to invite anyone with community donations to bring them Prestige Ford located at 3601 S. Shiloh Rd., Garland, TX. We will make sure they get to the specified charities.

Those in attendance at the new truck presentation included (in order from left): Randall Reed, Owner of Prestige Ford;  Colleen Jamieson, COO of the New Beginning Center; Cindy Turek, CEO of the New Beginning Center; Jim Griffin, Executive Director of the Good Samaritans of Garland; Pastor Keith Stewart, Senior Pastor at Springcreek Church; Jim Aswegan, President of the Good Samaritans of Garland and Pastor Wes Helm, Missions Pastor at Springcreek Church; Justin Wright, General Manager and Operating Partner of Prestige Ford.

To learn more about New Beginning Center, visit NewBeginningCenter.org. To learn more about Good Samaritans, log onto GoodSamofGarland.org. You can read more about SpringCreek Church at SpringCreekChurch.org. Read all about Prestige Ford at www.PrestigeGarland.com!