Local Vo-Tech Teacher, Students Fixing Up Car To Donate Through Recycled Rides Program
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Students at Forbes Road Career and Technology Center in Monroeville are raising a 2011 Toyota Corolla to new heights to make a difference.
"Our goal is to give it away to a family in need," Collision Repair Instructor Josh Krentz said.
Josh Krentz teaches collision repair at Forbes. He's working with a program called Recycled Rides, a nationwide program he learned about during a conference in Michigan. Krentz decided to get his students involved in all the repairs, from spray painting the car, to taking measurements.
"It had to have less than 50,000 miles. It had to be less than 5-years-old," Krentz said.
Krentz got $7,000 worth of parts donated to his classroom.
The car needed about $11,000 worth of repairs when his class got it in late October. The front ride side of the car was smashed, making it undriveable.
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The condition of the car made it more of a challenge for his students to fix.
"I did some of the welding and I was surprised how much welding you have to do when cars get into accidents," student Bethanee Shorthouse said.
Shorthouse came to the school because she wants to be an appraiser and felt it was necessary to learn everything she can about a car. But, she feels especially honored that her blood, sweat and tears will go towards a family in need.
"We'll have customers' cars and they're very important, but this one has a special meaning to it," Shorthouse said.
"Once I knew about this project, I was thrilled. I like helping out any way I can. It feels good," student Tim Shoben said.
Krentz prefers to donate this car to someone who doesn't have one. This is why fitting the criteria of the application process is a must.
"We want to see that you obviously have an income. You have a steady job and maybe relying on public transportation to get you to work and this is going to help you out," Krentz said.
The car will be awarded to the winner at the 2016 World of Wheels show at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center downtown on Jan. 24. The application process is open until Jan. 9. You can apply by clicking on this link to the ForbesRoad.com website.