Kelowna

Photo: Contributed

The Carma Project vehicle two.

Several Kelowna businesses and one unique charity have stepped up to provide something that every family needs: reliable transportation.

By taking used vehicles, fixing them up, and giving them to low-income families and individuals in the community, The Carma Project, a sort of vehicular version of Habitat For Humanity, has one goal in mind, and that is for the community to come together.

“This Kelowna-based non-profit group has a goal to make a difference and to assist families who need a reliable source of transportation, essentially, a way to get to work, to take kids to school, overall, to get by to accomplish their day-to-day needs,” explains Bruce Stranaghan, founder of The Carma Project.

Carma, founded in 2011, says the vehicle-dependent world we live in can make life very difficult for families, who have daycare, work, school, and community activities to attend. Some families are left with no choice but to rely on public transportation, which can take hours of time away from family, especially in the case of single-parent homes.

“The Carma Project will assist low-income families obtain a source of transportation so they can avoid those types of situations,” says Stranaghan.

Several Kelowna businesses have stepped up to make the 2012 Carma Project possible. They include: Integra Tire and Auto Centre Kelowna, Tweet4Ok.com, Crema Communications, Impact Events, RauDZ Regional Table, Jason Neumann Century 21, Kelowna Insta Print, Okanagan Limo and Tie the Knot Hair Design.

“When I read about the first project and how a small group of people had come together to give back, I knew I wanted to be involved in the next initiative,” says Rod Butters, chef and co-owner of RauDZ Regional Table. “Being a part of this group, all of whom care about giving and making someone’s life easier, falls within my belief of a community.”

Carma is currently accepting applications from individuals in Kelowna for its second project vehicle. One vehicle has already been donated. Selectees will be provided with a reliable vehicle obtained by The Carma Project through donations and, sometimes, purchased by Carma itself. The deadline for applications for the second Carma Project vehicle is October 15, 2012. For now, Carma says the goal is to provide one car a year, or more, depending on donations. 

“We have been really pleased to see the support coming from individuals and businesses in the community,” adds Stranaghan. “Kelowna is filled with a lot of people who want to give, and knowing that we all have come together to help support an individual or family in need really warms the hearts of each of us.”

The Carma Project asks those wishing to make a  donation, which will help offset the costs of restoring project vehicles, drop off donations at Integra Tire and Auto Centre Kelowna, 2160 Enterprise Way, Kelowna. All funds go directly to support this program.

Learn more about The Carma Project online or visit Facebook or Twitter.