Garrett Mitchell
Fredericka Davenport was given the keys to a refurbished 2004 Ford Explorer in a ceremony at D & D Motors by Skip Davenport, President/GM.
The usually reserved single mother of three teenage children was presented with the keys to a refurbished 2004 Ford Explorer in a ceremony at D & D Motors on Friday morning.
Fredericka's gift was made possible by Family Promise, an upstate foundation, which works to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged families through employment and housing opportunities. Fredericka came to the foundation in the fall of 2014, homeless and needing help.
"I started with Miss Armilla (Family Promise director Armilla Moore) back in August of last year in the Family Promise program because we were homeless," Davenport said. "We stayed with them for six months, they helped me find a house, and that's why I'm in Pendleton now."
The Easley native was on the road to stability with a new home and new job when yet another roadblock came her way. Its owner reclaimed the car, which she had been borrowing to drive to work. That's when Family Promise stepped in to find a solution.
"She basically had a job but she had a car that she was using that belonged to someone else," Moore said. "The person who had loaned their car took it back so she was living in Pendleton, which is kind of rural, and had no way to get to work."
Fredericka's name was put on a waiting list, though it was believed it could take a year for her to receive the transportation she desperately needed. Moore received the call saying a car had been found for her after two weeks. For Davenport, it was a true blessing.
"It means a lot," she said. "I've been without a car for several months and have been having trouble getting back and forth. They have been working with me to find a car. We've just been waiting and it means a lot. Transportation is a big issue for me right now."
D & D Motors, Charity Cars and Esurance Insurance Services, Inc provided Davenport’s new car. Through the Recycled Ride program, D & D motors reconditioned the 2004 Explorer and Davenport was chosen as the recipient.
"Helping provide the opportunity that someone needs to have a vehicle is just huge," said GM and President Skip Davenport. "Dependable transportation a lot of people take for granted. Until you haven't had it, and you're having to bum rides to get to work … it's just a fantastic program to be a part of."
"(Family Promise) has been wonderful," Frederika Davenport said, her smile as bright as ever.