Kelowna moms get new lease on life thanks to ‘Carma Project’

KELOWNA — A pair of single moms have a new lease on life thanks to the generosity of the Okanagan community.

A limo pulled up to Integra Tire in Kelowna Monday and inside, the two young women, about to get the surprise of a lifetime: keys to a free car, fixed up just for them.

It’s all thanks to the Carma Project, collecting donated cars since 2010 and fixing them up to give to people who need them most.

“We are humbled we are able to help them this way,” says Penny Stranaghan, founder of the Carma Project.

The passion project is fueled by Integra Tire, with the help of many community supporters.

“To these families, women, and children, it’s a life changing event and to know we have such a large impact on them, we get overwhelmed by it as well,” says Stranaghan.

Life hasn’t been easy for Kalista Copes and Lena Jung; both young moms, struggling to get by.

“Thank you so much you have no idea how much it means, how much it helps. Just amazing,” says Copes, choking back the tears.

For 19-year-old Jung, it means going to night school to get her post-secondary education just got that much easier.

“This is just a once in a lifetime opportunity, it just doesn’t seem real at all,” says Jung.

Now both moms have a safe, reliable mode of transport so they can concentrate on what, and who, really matters: their children.

One of the vehicles given away on Monday was actually from a Global Okanagan viewer who saw the story on our station a few years ago.

If you want to help by donating your old vehicle, you can call Integra Auto at 250-860-3155.