Rydell gifts three cars through fourth-annual Angels on Wheels event – Grand Forks Herald

GRAND FORKS – Receiving a free vehicle after being without one of her own was both “amazing” and “overwhelming,” according to Desiree Freadrich.

“I’m really overwhelmed, but I’m very happy and proud that there’s people like this in our community to do stuff for people like me,” she said.

Freadrich was one of three clients of the Community Violence Intervention Center to receive a free pre-owned vehicle from Rydell on Friday, Dec. 19, as part of the fourth-annual Angels on Wheels program. She said having a new car is going to help her get to appointments and other places on her own without needing to find a ride.

The Angels on Wheels program was created to assist and empower CVIC clients who face transportation barriers of some kind, according to a news release from Rydell.

“Each year, Angels on Wheels reminds us of the profound impact reliable transportation can have on someone’s life. These vehicles are more than a means of getting from place to place — they are tools for healing, stability and new beginnings,” Rydell General Manager Ben Cahalan said in the release. “We are honored to stand alongside CVIC in supporting community members as they move forward with confidence and independence.”

One vehicle was donated from each Grand Forks Rydell location: Rydell GM, Rydell Honda Nissan and Rydell Toyota.

Sheila Morris, CVIC’s vice president of advocacy, said the center is “super excited” to be able to match clients with vehicles to provide more independence and support.

“These are individuals who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking or stalking, so they’ve had some extreme trauma in their lives,” she said. “Transportation has been a huge barrier for them, so today, matching them with a vehicle is going to be a really important step in their self-sufficiency.”

Vehicle recipients also received Rydell gift cards for future oil changes or other service needs, $300 gas cards donated by Northdale Oil and baskets with gift cards to other local businesses, including Darcy’s Cafe, L&M Meats, Happy Joe’s Pizza and HudSun Wellness Center and Tanning. Safe Kids Grand Forks also supplied car seats for children and offered on-site installation.

Cydney Richards, another Angels on Wheels recipient, said she was also shocked to get her new vehicle.

“It feels really good,” she said. “It’s mind-blowing, actually. I’m just so excited, and I’m really appreciative.”

She added she has previously been using Uber to get to her job and to other places and is grateful to have her own transportation, especially now that it’s the middle of winter.

“I can’t wait to take it for a spin,” she said.

Both Richards and Freadrich also expressed their gratitude for CVIC, Rydell and the other people who made this year’s Angels on Wheels event possible.

Morris said CVIC works with Rydell to pair clients with vehicles that match their needs for their jobs, where they live, their family situations and other factors. CVIC clients must have a driver’s license and enough financial resources to afford car insurance to be recommended for a new car.

She also said these new vehicles will help the three women who received them get to their jobs, take their kids to school, travel to medical appointments and generally give them the added layer of self-sufficiency that they haven’t had without a vehicle.

“Without transportation, things can become extremely difficult, and this really makes a momentous impact on their lives,” she said.