Berthoud Weekly Surveyor | Covering all the angles in the Garden Spot

Car care by people who care

April 20, 2023 | Community News

By Terry Georgia
The Surveyor

Just before Diana and Jordan Austin moved to Berthoud about nine years ago, they brought a wonderful tradition with them, the Car Care Clinic. The couple, along with a dedicated band of other volunteers, gather a few times a year to provide free oil changes for single mothers and widows. The next Car Care Clinic is scheduled for Saturday, May 6. Every oil change comes with a 40-point safety check to ensure the cars and child car seats are safe and roadworthy.
Clinics usually take place at least twice a year — in the spring, to get cars ready for summer and just before Thanksgiving to prepare cars for holiday travel. The Austins also try to organize an additional clinic in the summer months if schedules allow.

Diana Austin had participated in a similar program sponsored by her church in Lakewood. When she and Jordan moved to Berthoud, she approached Grace Place with the idea. Members of the congregation at both Grace Place and New Freedom churches support the Car Care Clinic with donations of oil and money as well as volunteer mechanics, both professional and experienced DIYers.

The idea to help single moms and widows was inspired by a verse in the Bible, James, 1:27, which says, “Looking after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unspotted by the world make for pure worship without stain before our God and Father.”

Born of a desire to provide tangible help to women who may not have the ability or resources to provide their own car maintenance, Clinic volunteers give more than just an oil change. They provide a safe space for women who may have been victims of unethical mechanics in the past. “It’s the biggest-hearted group you’ve ever seen,” says Jordan Austin, “these big, sometimes gruff men with calloused hands, who rarely come face to face with clients in their regular jobs, get to help women who really need them. They truly love being able to give back.”

The original plan was to have the Car Care Clinics take place in the parking lot at Grace Place, but Karen and Jim Fate of B-Town Automotive stepped in to offer the use of their garage instead, saving the volunteers from a frigid sleet storm on their first outing. Since then, the Fates have continued to provide their B-Town garages and mechanics in support of every clinic.

Single moms, widows and single women who have no mechanically-inclined support system are welcome to sign up for the free oil change and inspection. Registration is provided through the Grace Place website: https://grace-place.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1538744

The Austins ask that women do provide an oil filter for their specific car, as the wide variety needed is difficult to keep on hand. Everything else is free. If they find any mechanical or safety issues during the service, the volunteers work with the women to find reliable, affordable repair options.

Anyone wishing to help support future Car Care Clinics may make donations here: https://grace-place.churchcenter.com/giving. Additional volunteers are welcome to contact the Austins as well.

 

 

 

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