Shop Gives Car To Man Working To Become Guardian Of Siblings After Mother's Death
POMONA (CBSLA.com) — It was a bittersweet birthday for a young man still healing from the death of his mother, who was set on fire Christmas Day.
Following her death, Nigel Hensley has been working tirelessly to get his siblings back under one roof after they were placed in foster care.
Hensley sacrificed school and works several jobs just to be able to see his family.
"Right now, we're just trying to stick together," Hensley said. "I'm trying to do anything possible so whether it's in school, another job, parenting classes. I'm doing anything and everything possible to be with my brothers."
It's no easy task with money tight and resources limited.
Since their mother's death, Hensley and his sister Corrin have only seen their brothers a handful of times largely due to a lack of reliable transportation.
But when Caliber Collision-Claremont heard about the family's struggle to be together, the auto body repair and paint shop began to work on a car for Hensley in order to facilitate visits with his brothers and keep him in school.
"This means a lot to me just to be able to get around," he said. "Not only hat but to be there for my family and make my mom proud."
Hensley's car is part of the National Auto Body Council's Recycled Rides where auto body shops take in donated cars, refurbish them, and give them to families in need free of charge.
The gift comes on the heels of Hensley's 20th birthday, but all he really wants is to have his family back home.
"Just to be together, that's the best gift I could possibly have," he said. "This car is just unbelievable, I just thank everybody."
Hensley is hoping his new car helps him get his brothers out of foster care.
His first trip in the car, though, will be a little simpler.
He says he's going to take his brothers to the park to play some basketball.