Sometimes, just one act of kindness can change lives and a local business in Creston has stepped up to be that change by gifting a car to a family in need.

鈥淲e come across decent cars every once in a while, so we bring them back to a better state of condition where they are sound and safe,鈥� said Karl Folvik, owner of Kootenay Euro Shop.

鈥淚t could be dependable for someone that needs it - a single mom, single dad, or a family. Transportation can be a barrier to employment or just a better quality of life.鈥�

Folvik had recently serviced a courtesy car that was no longer needed at the shop, but still reliable for getting around town.

He reached out to Leon Rogers, a local pastor and member of the Creston Firefighters Society, to find out who would benefit from being gifted the vehicle.

Rogers served as the liaison with Kootenai Community Centre Society, a safe home for women fleeing abuse, and learned that a mother of four had been without her own transportation for quite awhile.

鈥淭he vast majority of our population of clients is low income and vulnerable,鈥� said Rebecca Gidney, executive director of Kootenai Community Centre Society.

鈥淟ots of them don鈥檛 have vehicles or have left a relationship where they鈥檝e lost everything. Housing is a major struggle, but I would say transportation is the next biggest barrier because people can鈥檛 get to work if they don鈥檛 have a vehicle.鈥�

While Creston is a small town, there is no access to public transportation. It can be difficult to walk everywhere throughout the seasons, even more so with four children.

鈥淚t will make a really big difference in her life for certain,鈥� said Gidney. 鈥淪he鈥檚 so grateful and excited to have some more independence.鈥�

The owners of Kootenay Euro Shop would like to continue this initiative by donating a vehicle to the community doing on a semi-annual basis.

鈥淚t feels good just knowing someone鈥檚 gonna be better off because of it,鈥� said Folvik.

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