We Got Our Mini-Van!

Atlas Automotive Owner: Ben Rodriguez, Executive Director: Cindy Wood, and Board Member: Mike Irwin

Family Promise of North Idaho (FPNI) has finally gotten the mini-van we have wanted to supplement the passenger van. Our new guest vehicle is a 2000 Toyota Sienna purchased at Atlas Auto for $1989.00.

This is a two year story in the making! The staff at FPNI realized two years ago that it would benefit us and our guests to purchase a mini-van. It would benefit us by having a vehicle that saved on gas and the wear and tear of our larger van. More volunteers will be able to drive the mini-van as the larger van is a bit intimidating! It would benefit the guests by having a convenient van, that didn’t look institutionalized, to take the children to their schools and the adults to their appointments.

We began to seriously brainstorm ways to raise money or a donation of a mini-van. We asked for donations, wrote to car dealers; put ads in church bulletins requesting used vans. We even went on Craigslist requesting a van.

At the end of 2013, as we were assessing our finances, FPNI realized what a blessed year it had. If we found the right van we could find the resources to purchase it. Atlas Auto had the right van for the right price. Board member Mike Irwin and Chairman of the Transportation committee checked the van out and found it sound. The Finance Committee crunched some numbers and knew we would have some money coming in from the online fundraiser “Avenues of Hope”. We could not pay the entire amount now, so a board member stepped forward to loan the $1200.00 needed to complete the purchase. We will continue to be fiscally responsible and have some small fun fundraisers to help with the cost of our mini-van while continuing with our three major fundraisers each year for operation costs.