Local Business Spotlight: Creating Community Together
When we think of our supporters, we don’t just mean volunteers and donors and residents of the communities in which we locate SafeLots. We must include local businesses who step in and offer their services to benefit the SafeLot guests indirectly through monetary donations or directly by offering their services at low or no cost to the folks we serve.
We think of people like Jeff and Annemarie Smith, who own and operate Christian Brothers Automotive in 29 locations throughout Colorado.
At a recent Day of Giving Event mid-October in Littleton they generously offered 15 guests an oil change, and for some a variety of maintenance or small repairs for their cars, at no cost to the vehicle owner. As you may know, one of the few requirements for staying at a SafeLot is that all vehicles must be operational. Not to mention the vehicles must be in working condition so that the owners can get to work, bring a child to school, or attend meetings with support services that can help them as they work toward being rehoused.
People signed up in advance, and they even were able to accommodate some last-minute needs because they are truly empathetic to the situation the SafeLot guests find themselves. Jeff and Annemarie offered complimentary oil changes for local SafeLot guests but went above and beyond by providing service for brakes, power steering, batteries, wipers and more.
CSPI received innumerable expressions of gratitude from SafeLot guests overwhelmed by the generosity of Christian Brothers Automotive and the wonderful efficient and caring service from everyone from the owners to the service team.
It is almost impossible to explain how valuable this support was for these folks who have had to resort to living in their vehicles – which serve as their home, office storage, and transportation.
People like the Smiths have a generosity and compassion that makes a huge difference in the lives of SafeLot guests as well as CSPI staff and case managers. Businesses that support all members of the community in which they operate are businesses we should all support in return.
The Smith family value of being of service to their community, helped CSPI provide extra support to our clients. The event was such a success, another collaborations in 2024 is being discussed.
