I'm at the Erie Auto Show at the Bayfront Convention Center watching a special presentation. Erie Ford Dealers just handed over the keys for a brand new van to the Sarah Reed Children's Center. It's a wonderful donation. The Erie Ford Dealers have donated a new van to a non-profit every year since 2013. It's called the Friendship Express Giveaway. The Sarah Reed Children's Center plans to use its new vehicle to transport the young people the agency serves.

"We are so excited that we have been chosen and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to receive this wonderful and valuable gift,” says Adrienne Dixon, the executive director of the center.

How wonderful and valuable is this gift? Well, it's a gift that keeps on giving. Of the twelve vans given away by the Erie Ford Dealers, nine are still in full operation. That total includes a van donated to Erie Habitat for Humanity in 2014. Most non-profits use their vans to transport people, however the Habitat for Humanity van has no back seats. The agency has been using its van to transport tools and supplies to and from the houses it builds for families in need. I’m heading to Habitat for Humanity headquarters to take a look at that van. I am greeted by Dr. Roche' Vermaak, the agency’s executive director.

"So you can imagine, from here to the build site, about 15 miles every day, we transport stuff. All the equipment, all the tools, because you can't leave everything on site, You have to bring it back,” he says.

The mileage on Habitat for Humanity van is rather low considering it is in its twelfth year of service. But, the vehicle is driven practically every day because construction of Habitat for Humanity houses is year round. The van transports something very important during the winter.

"We can't have our volunteers freeze while they're building inside the house. So we transport the propane tanks and the hot air blower to the build site every day,” says Dr. Vermaak.

Yes, the old van is still a valuable part of the Habitat for Humanity program and the agency is very thankful. Now, the latest donated van is ready to hit the road to serve the Sarah Reed Children's Center.
The Friendship Express logo will be proudly displayed.

"We're excited about being able to showcase that as we drive that van and continue to further our mission,” says Dr. Dixon.

The Erie Ford Dealers van giveaway program receives around 30 applications every year from local non-profits. Mark Winkler, Selection Committee Chairman, says it's a difficult decision to choose only one agency. By the way, the ceremony where the keys are handed over is always the official kick-off of the Erie Auto Show.