Sam’s Club provided four wonderful, hardworking volunteers that helped set up, cook, serve and clean up. Free2B presented Sam’s Club the 2011 Partner of the Year award. Sam’s Club employees volunteered so many hours of service that Free2B received a check from Sam’s Club corporate offices for $5,000 for their volunteer service. We can’t thank these wonderful employees enough.

Michael and Cathy Bishop were awarded the Free2B 2011 Volunteer of the Year award. These two have been consistent volunteers for years and come to our Car Care Saturdays to clean and wash the vehicles that Free2B donates. Previously, this job was known as “dust angels”; now it is known as “make ready engineers”!

For an organization to be successful, many people are needed to make that happen. For Free2B, it just would not work without all our volunteers. Many of our volunteers are seen on a regular basis repairing one car a month free of labor, providing food or assistance at a fundraiser, or at a Car Care Saturday, repairing cars for people in need.

We always strive to fulfill our mission of “Providing Car Care to Enable Independence”. If you have a car you want to donate visit us on the web at http://freetobeinc.org/, or call us at 763-717-7755.

“Restoring Hope One Car at a Time”, a documentary produced in 2009 collaboratively by Twin Cities Public Television and Free to Be, Inc with funding from the McKnight Foundation and the following sponsors: Gold Sponsor, John’s Auto Parts; Silver Sponsors, Building Sites Inc, Cotten’s Napa, and Sannerud, Savarese & Associates, P.A. will be aired on TPT MN at the following times:

• Tuesday, April 17, 2012, at 5:30 am
• Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at 11:30 pm

For information on upcoming broadcasts and quick access to viewing this programs online, visit the following page at http://www.tpt.org/?a=programs#19100.

You can also see a seven minute version of this video by going to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCTpeBcKlxw

Before donating the 2001 Ford Escape, Precision Frame & Alignment of Elk River donated approximately five hours labor repairing and replacing spark plugs, ignition coil, intake gasket, brake booster, master cylinder and battery. We list Precision Frame & Alignment as one of Free2B!’s One-A-Month shops. Our One-A-Month shops repair one car a month, free of labor. Our car donation program depends on the generosity of these shops. They have saved Free2B! thousands of dollars in labor repair costs.

Free2B! currently has a waiting list with many families in need of transportation. They are in desperate need of a donated vehicle that can be repaired and given to them. To donate a car to Free2B!, call 763-717-7755, or simply bring your vehicle and title to Victory Auto Service and Glass in Ham Lake, Fridley, Brooklyn Park or Chanhassen.

You can check out Free2B! at www.freetobeinc.org.

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Pictured is Cherita Tenhoff receiving the keys from B.J. Flayton, General Manager of the Sam’s Club in Fridley, Minnesota.

The seventh annual Taste of Blaine was a huge success, netting almost $30,000. Over 900 people were in attendance enjoying all the wonderful foods the restaurants had to offer. Without the support of our attendees, the restaurants, and all our volunteers, this would not be possible. Special thanks to Al Sannerud for all the ticket sales he made.

The $5,000 or more sponsors were ECM Publishing, John’s Auto Parts, Cotten’s Napa, Victory Auto Service & Glass, and Customgraphix. The $1,000 or more sponsors were Connexus Energy, Mercy Unity Hospital Foundation, Sysco, Thrivent Financial, and Tidbits. The $500 or more sponsors were Abra Auto, Balloons Galore and More, Central Bank, Community Pride Bank, Cub Foods (Blaine East), Ronald Bradley, Attorney at Law, Bill Erhart, Attorney at Law, Financial One Credit Union, M & I Bank, Metro North Chamber of Commerce, Nationwide Insurance, North Star Towing, Rasmussen College, Sannerud, Savarese & Associates, P.A., and Signs Now. Other sponsors are Laborers Union Local #563 and Print Central.

Balloons Galore and More provided a festive atmosphere for us at the Schwan Center, and 29 restaurants served up great food. The restaurants serving were The 46th Hole (Majestic Oaks), Acapulco Mexican Restaurant, Axel’s Bonfire, Baker’s Square Restaurant & Pies, Big Dipper Ice Cream Parlor, Bricks American Pub, Buffalo Wild Wings, Buona Sera Ristorante, Carol’s Restaurant, Chili’s Restaurant, The Club, Costco, Cub Foods, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Dixie Blue BBQ, Dunn Brothers, Grand Casino Hinckley & Mille Lacs, Harvest Grill, Hot Wok Delivery, Irish Pub, National Sports Center Catering Division, Noodles & Company, Ole Piper Inn, Panera Bread, Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, Sam’s Club, Subway, Truffles & Tortes Dessert Café, and Two Stooges Sports Bar & Grill. We sincerely want to thank all the

A very heart felt thank you to Sam’s Club and Cummins Power Generation for providing almost 30 volunteers to help with set up, table cleaning, coat check, paper product distribution, soda and water table, take down, and other activities.  Without their help, this fundraiser would not be possible.

Free2B! was able to give a car away at the event. For the first time, we were able to showcase this exciting part of the night indoors. The recipient, Nubia Fernandez, was very excited and grateful to receive a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix.

We want to thank all our supporters who attended the Taste of Blaine and helped Free2B! make this fundraiser a success.

http://abcnewspapers.com/2011/11/24/korkowski-set-to-retire-from-free2b-levine-to-succeed-him/

Pictures from Cliff’s retirement party at Majestic Oaks! 

Jackie Riddle of Circle Pines who is raising three grandchildren received a 1994 Chevy Blazer from Free2B! and three bikes from the Robert and Wilma Burbach Bike Foundation.  The boys were just amazed at the three bikes they received. Jackie said, “The bikes looked brand new and the boys had a chance to drive them before it snowed.”  Jackie said, “I did not tell the boys about the bikes because I didn’t know what to expect but I was overwhelmed.” Pictured is Gary Levine, Executive Director of Free2B! presenting keys to Jackie Riddle.

PJW Automotive of  New Brighton repaired the 1994 Blazer that Jackie received.  PJW replaced the upper and lower ball joints, idler arm, a transmission mounting bolt, a lower body mount, a fuel pressure regulator, did a transmission flush, repaired a heater vacuum line, and the passenger window.  This is the eighth car that PJW has repaired for Free2B! as a One-a-Month repair shop, repairing the vehicle without charging for the labor to do the repairs.

Eliza Newell, a mother of four from Columbia Heights received a 2001 Pontiac Montana with only 85,000 miles, but also received three bicycles and a tricycle for her four children. Pictured from the left is Eliza Newell receiving keys from Judy Lucas with Gary Levine, the new Executive Director of Free2B!

Judy Lucas, Commercial Consultant for HOM Furniture and a member of the Metro North Chamber of Commerce heard about the Free2B! program at the Chamber networking events.  When Judy’s family talked with her mother about the concern that it might be better for her to not drive anymore, a donation to Free2B! was their choice.  Judy said, “I get goose bumps every time I hear about how Free2B! helps people.”  When she was offered the opportunity to hand over the keys for her mom’s car, she said she only hopes that it goes to a single mom with kids.  Well, this single mom has four kids.  Everyone is happy.

If you know of a vehicle that needs a new home and can make a family happy, contact Free2B! at 763-717-7755 of check out the website at www.freetobeinc.org. The mission of Free2B! is, “Providing Car Care to Enable Independence.”

 Pictured is Eliza Newell with Lowell Kutches, President of the Robert and Wilma Burbach Bike Foundation with the three bikes and trike she received for her children.

Scott Schulte, owner of Hi Ten Service Center in Coon Rapids and a member of Epiphany repaired the car that was donated at the Car Care Saturday.  Hi Ten repaired the 1993 Oldsmobile Achieva by doing an oil change, a coolant flush, replaced the battery, serpentine belt, transmission cooler lines, power steering line, windshield washer line, headlight and rear view mirror.  This is the fourteenth vehicle that Hi Ten has repaired for Free2B! as a One-a-Month repair shop.  As a One-a-Month repair shop, the labor to repair the vehicles is provided free of charge and the parts are billed directly to Free2B!  Free2B! is always looking for more shops that are willing to provide that needed service to the community.

Joyce Lemmer, a member of Epiphany was present at the Car Care Saturday to present the keys for the 1993 Olds Achieva to the recipient. 

The mission of Free2B! is “Providing Car Care to Enable Independence.”  To sponsor a Car Care Saturday, to become a One-a-Month repair shop, or to donate a car, contact Free2B! at 763-717-7755 or check out the web site at www.freetobeinc.org.

Over 200 people enjoyed the Free2B! Fall Festival at the Coon Rapids Dam on September 15, 2011.  One of the attendees said that the highlight of the event was seeing someone get a donated car from Free2B!  Watch a video of the car being given away and the reaction of the recipient at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hy3-d4sCGA&feature=youtube_gdata_player 

Carol Borreson and her family couldn’t say thank you enough.  Carol received a car from Free2B! that was donated by Karen Siewert.  Karen was present at the Fall Festival to personally give the keys for the 1996 Chevy Lumina to Carol.  Carol is a working single mom from Coon Rapids and has had to walk home several miles from the bus stop in the dark.  Carol took the mike at the event to say thank you to everyone for helping out her family in ways that we can’t even imagine.

Acapulco provided three food lines with tacos, a pasta bar, fruit,  and a cheese and veggie line to satisfy all taste buds.  Acapulco also provided the five wines for the wine tasting.  Pies were donated by Sam’s Club, Costco, Perkins, and Baker’s Square, individuals and served with ice cream that was donated by Kugler Financial Services.

Thursday, September 15, 2011
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, Lot #3
9750 Egret Blvd.,  Coon Rapids

Recently, Don Sibbel repaired a 1996 Honda Accord that was then donated to Rachel Slepica of Coon Rapids. Rachel thanked Don and Carol Sibbel, owners of UltraTech Automotive for their contribution so she can now get to work without worrying about how she was going to get there. Don replaced the front and rear brake pads and rotors and replaced the front wheel bearings. UltraTech also did the oil change that is completed on all Free2B! vehicles before they are donated.  The Free2B!  Board also decided that all donated vehicles leave with a full tank of gasoline.

To be a One-a-Month repair shop or to donate a vehicle to Free2B!, call 763-717-7755 or check the Free2B! web site at http://www.freetobeinc.org/.

PJW recently repaired a 1993 Toyota Corolla by doing an oil change, replacing the brakes front and back, replaced the left front wheel bearing, brake and fuel lines, wiper blades, lights and ignition lock. PJW also did a coolant and brake line flush.  The donated labor exceeded $1,100. 

 Holly Lee, from Hilltop, brought her son Braxton to PJW and personally thanked him for his part in helping her with her lack of transportation and repeatedly told Pat Whalen how much she appreciated her car.

 Auto related businesses that are interested in joining the One-a-Month group should contact Free2B! at 763-717-7755. To learn more about Free2B! check the website www.freetobeinc.org

Holly Lee from Hilltop, MN received a silver 1993 Toyota Corolla that was repaired by PJW Automotive of New Brighton.  PJW Automotive is one of Free2B!’s One-a- Month repair shops and replaced the front pads, rotors and calipers, replaced the read drums and flushed and bled the brake lines.  They also replaced the front wheel hub and bearing assembly, flushed the cooling system, replaced the stabilizer bar links, wiper blades air filter and bulbs all at no cost to Free2B!

Rachel Slepica from Coon Rapids, received a silver 1996 Honda Accord that was repaired by Ultra Tech of Coon Rapids, also a Free2B! One-a-Month repair shop. Ultra Tech replaced the front brake pads and rotors, the right front wheel bearing, replaced the rear brake pads and rotors and did an oil change, again at no cost to Free2B!

Gwen Van horn, Coon Rapids received a silver 1998 Buick LeSabre

Chuck and Sue Kempf, volunteers from St. Philip’s Lutheran Church in Fridley provided lunch for the eight volunteers who repaired three vehicles, the recipients of the repairs as well as the three single moms who received silver donated cars at the Free2B! Car Care Saturday.

You could put a silver lining on someone’s transportation challenge by donating a car to Free2B! We can pick it up if you call us at 763-717-7755 or you can bring it in with the title to Victory Auto Service and Glass in Ham Lake, Fridley or Brooklyn Park.  For details or more information, check our website at ‘www.freetobeinc.org’

Jeff Matt, owner of Victory Auto Service & Glass and Free2B! Board member received the 2011 Eleven Who Care Award. Jeff named Free2B! to be the recipient of the donation.  To see the story on Kare11 go to:

http://www.kare11.com/community/11whocare/article/920279/454/Businessmans-500K-gift-makes-him-an-Eleven-Who-Care-winner

The story was also printed in the local abcnewspapers.com for the article go to:

http://abcnewspapers.com/2011/04/22/victory-auto-owner-one-of-the-eleven-who-care/