Who wants a free van?

Photo: Danika Koch

Danika Koch is giving away this van.

Danika Koch knows how challenging life can be when you're a single parent.

So the Vernon woman is giving away her minivan to a single mother or father who could use a bit of a hand up.

Koch posted her desire to give away the 1998 Ford Windstar on the Vernon and Area Community Page, and she said the response was overwhelming.

Valued at more than $2,500, Koch had work done to the van including new brakes, tires and other maintenance.

She said she is now in a place where she can afford a newer vehicle so she wants to bless someone with her former van.

“I thought what better to way to help a single parent out than with transportation. I know it can be tough trying to bus around with a little kid and kids in general, so I thought instead of me selling it, why not give it away so they can use it as much as I did,” she said. “It's an older van, but I did a lot of work on it to make it safe.”

Koch made a post on Facebook and she received more than 300 responses.

“It's hard, because I wish I could give everyone a van,” said Koch, who is going through the messages to decide who she will gift the van to.

Koch has also learned there are some less-than-honest people out there claiming to be a single parent in need of a vehicle when they are not.

Once she makes her decision, Koch will contact the lucky person.