Indy Auto Man is pleased to announce that our company with the support of its employees and our partners, has delivered another IAM 4 INDY car to a deserving Indianapolis resident! During this important time of the year, we were honored to meet Mrs. Allean Porter, our IAM 4 INDY recipient, and to learn of her personal journey. Mrs. Porter, although retired, works hard taking care of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also is the primary caregiver for a relative who suffers from a chronic health condition.

Mrs. Porter is 100% dependent on others for any and all transportation. Because she had no vehicle, it made it very difficult to go to the store, the pharmacy, medical appointments, and to provide those important needs for the people who are dependent on her. In spite of her own adversity, Mrs. Porter’s number one reason for wanting to own a car was so that she “could volunteer to feed the hungry and be able to get a part-time job” to help support herself and her family.

Mrs. Porter epitomizes what it means to “pay it forward” and provides her labor of love with joy in heart. Mrs. Porter exemplifies what it means to be a good citizen in Indianapolis and because of her unselfish service to others and her good citizenship Indy Auto Man is proud to call her our friend and to present her with a FREE automobile to continue her good works!

Indy Auto Man delivered its third IAM 4 INDY car on Wednesday March 8, 2017. Employees and contractors from Indy Auto Man joined together for the delivery of this refurbished vehicle to Ms. Shameka P. and her 3 children. Shameka has worked hard to provide a safe, loving home for her children and other kids in the neighborhood. Shameka has not had a car for quite some which make it difficult for her to find permanent work and support her family. Now that she has her own car, Shameka is planning on furthering her education so she can begin a career in nursing. Shameka encourages her children by emphasizing education, sports, and community involvement.

Indy Auto Man and its partners and contractors, including Maaco Collision Repair, provide refurbished, reliable vehicles through its IAM 4 INDY program. Eligible central Indiana residents who exemplify excellent community standards are chosen via a program listed on our website. Indy Auto Man believes that a free reliable vehicle can be the perfect tool to help good people maximize their potential and pay it forward in our community. Congratulations Shameka!

Indy Auto Man’s 4th IAM 4 INDY vehicle delivery took place on April 28th, 2017. Mr. Michael P. of Indianapolis was presented with a car that will help Michael continue his service to others. Many thanks to the hard work of the employees, contractors, and partners at Iny Auto Man, including MAACO, because their efforts make this program possible.

Michael P. is a very quiet, unassuming gentleman. He is simply an ordinary guy who contributes to his neighborhood in a positive and meaningful way. Michael is retired and disabled and he was the only person in his apartment building who had a car. Recently his 18-year-old van broke down and it could not be repaired. When this happened, it meant that not a single person in his building had any transportation. At 66, Michael is the youngest resident of his building. Michael has been the only one to drive his elderly neighbors to medical appointments, church, and the grocery store. His van also provided a means for him to earn a little extra income by finding odd jobs to do. Due to the changing condition of his neighborhood, the nearest grocery store is nearly 3 miles away which made it out of reach without a vehicle.

Now, thanks to the IAM 4 INDY program Michael and his neighbors have reliable transportation! This car provides for more than just one person, it allows many people the ability to lead independent lives and to give back to the Indianapolis neighborhood in which they live and serve.

On May 31, 2017 Indy Auto Man presented Allen H. with a beautiful Toyota Corolla! Allen H. is the 5th recipient of our IAM 4 INDY program. Indy Auto Man created this community outreach opportunity to give back to the greater Indianapolis area by providing free, reliable, used automobiles to people in need who display good character and are community-minded. Allen H. is exactly that kind of person! Allen works up to 90 hours a week to make ends meet as a single parent of a 4-year-old. In spite of the fact that he had no car, Allen was still able to find meaningful employment as a caregiver for a community group home. Allen works 10-12 hour days and walks to and from work. Rain or shine, Allen knows the people living in the group home depend on him being there so he trudges along to make sure he arrives on time to cook, clean, teach and help every day. Allen desperately wants to go back to school to earn his G.E.D. but due to lack of transportation has not been able to do this. He made it clear to all of us at Indy Auto Man that with his new car, that’s one of the first things he plans to do!

Indy Auto Man is grateful to Allen H. and many, many other central Indiana Hoosiers for their hard work, dedication to good values, and willingness to give back to others in our community. Because of Allen’s perseverance and his good character, the employees and contractors at Indy Auto Man were pleased to present Allen with a vehicle to help him continue to take care of himself, his child and the people he supports every day at the group home. Thank you, Allen, for all you do to help make Indianapolis a better place!

Indy Auto Man’s IAM 4 INDY program is pleased to present a reliable vehicle to A. Fidder! Ms. Fidder works two jobs and supports herself, her daughter and her father who is disabled. While holding down both jobs and managing her family takes a lot of time, she also finds time to volunteer at a local food pantry. “Feeding the homeless and others who have fallen on hard times is important,” says Ms. Fidder. She continued, “I am so grateful that I have a roof over my head and food in my pantry, so many people don’t have that security”. When Indy Auto Man received this request, we knew immediately that this was exactly the kind of person we want to support. Indy Auto Man developed IAM 4 INDY as a way to say “thank you” to central Indiana residents who are making a difference. This program is designed to help, on a limited basis, people who are supporting themselves and contributing to the greater Indianapolis area. Indy Auto Man provides used but safe, reliable transportation through this program for free to people who qualify when the dealership has an available vehicle. Congratulations to Ms. Fidder, keep up the great work Indy Auto Man is proud of you!

T. Harris is a single mother of two who lives in Indianapolis. She is a Certified Nursing Assistant and enjoys working to support herself and her daughters. Ms. Harris was injured while working 2 years ago and had to find new employment that was able to accommodate her injury. She was lucky to do so, unfortunately, her new job is in Lebanon and she does not have a car. In order to get to and from work, she must rely on her parents and friends. There is no bus system that runs to Lebanon. In addition, Ms. Harris would love to be more involved in her daughters’ school. She wants to attend their extracurricular events and volunteer like other parents. “I want to pay it forward and help those in need,” said Ms. Harris. There is so much more I could do if I had reliable transportation. “My daughters and I would be so blessed if we were fortunate enough to receive a car”, she said. Congratulations T. Harris!! Indy Auto Man is happy to present you with an IAM 4 INDY car! We know it will help you support your family and give back to your community.

Chrissy C. is Indy Auto Man’s newest IAM 4 INDY recipient! Chrissy is currently a full-time college student studying business @ IUPUI while working and volunteering throughout the greater Indianapolis area. Chrissy divides her time between teaching at the Jewish Community Center (JCC), the “Love Indy” project which provides food for low-income families and a host of other volunteer activities through Heartland church. Previously, Chrissy also volunteered for (BITS) which stands for Bulldogs into the street where Butler students organize and volunteer in many different capacities throughout Indianapolis. Chrissy also has been involved with Butler’s Dance Marathon raising money for Riley Children’s hospital.

Indianapolis is lucky to count Chrissy as one of its thousands of awesome young people who are actively learning as well as working toward making our community a better place in which to live. Because of Chrissy’s hard work and volunteerism Indy Auto Man is happy to present Chrissy with a refurbished vehicle, at no cost, to help her continue her education while giving back to the community she loves. Please join all the hard-working and dedicated employees and contractors at Indy Auto Man in wishing Chrissy the best with her future endeavors. We are thrilled to award an IAM 4 INDY vehicle to Chrissy!

On Monday, August 13, 2018 Indy Auto Man and its employees, contractors and friends joined together to present Zimere, known by his friends as “Z” a 2002 Honda Civic. Indy Auto Man’s program, IAM 4 INDY, provides refurbished cars to people in the greater Indianapolis area who exemplify strong values. These individuals also are committed to continued learning and service to others. Z recently graduated high school and completed a welder’s program. Z’s mom and dad have worked hard to instill in Z, and his siblings, the value of a solid education and the importance of hard work. Z, through his actions, is proving he has taken those lessons to heart. In addition to earning his diploma and a welder’s certificate, Z helps his mom, who has been successfully battling breast cancer for 10 years. Z does a lot more around the house than the average 18-year-old. Over the years Z has shown tremendous love and support to his mom and dad as well as his brother and sister. Z has overcome difficult and extraordinary challenges due to his early childhood. Z has earned the respect of many of his teachers, coaches, and other adults who have come to know him. In recognition of all of his hard work and perseverance Indy Auto Man is proud to offer an IAM 4 INDY car to this outstanding young man. We wish you and your family the very best as you continue your life’s journey!

Indy Auto Man befriended Sara H. and her son Camden today! They are the latest recipients of Indy Auto Man’s IAM 4 INDY car program. The employees, owners, and contractors including Car Medic joined together today and provided a completely refurbished Honda Element to Sara and her son. Sara and Camden both have significant medical needs and were wholly dependent on others for their transportation. There is no public transportation available where they live. Sara has demonstrated tremendous courage and fortitude by obtaining her medical assisting education and is excited about looking for work now that she has a reliable car. Camden is working hard as an 8th grader and is very helpful to his mom. They are an inspiring family and all of us at Indy Auto Man are honored to call you our friends! It was an honor to meet such hardworking people and we wish them success in all future endeavors.

On July 3rd, 2019 Indy Auto Man and it’s staff, owners, family and friends gathered together to complete our ELEVENTH IAM 4 Indy donation! We were so happy to have met Kyla and hear her very moving story filled with love, loss, heartbreak, and her willingness to overcome all obstacles that had been placed before her. Kyla is an aspiring photographer, an amazing mother to two beautiful children and now a lifelong friend of Indy Auto Man.

Receiving this vehicle will allow her to continue to follow her passions and continue to help her family and give back to her community. We wish her the very best in all that she does.

GiGi’s Playhouse Family Awarded with Car from Indy Auto Man

Program Designed to Help Families Who Give Back to the Community

(Indianapolis) Monday, April 27, 2021 – A local car dealership is helping a GiGi’s Playhouse family in need by providing them with a new-to-them car.

The past year has been especially difficult for Vickie Hewlett. She lost her job during the pandemic. Two people were shot in her neighborhood. And the engine on her car blew. The single parent of an adult son with Down syndrome, Hewlett is desperate to move to a safer neighborhood, but not having a reliable vehicle has made it hard for her to even get to her new job.

“I’m borrowing a car whenever I can,” Hewlett explains. “My son has therapy appointments to get to and the isolation has been hard for him. I love him with all of my heart, and I want to provide the best life for him.” Enter Indy Auto Man. The used car dealership sponsors a program called IAM 4 INDY designed to provide safe, reliable vehicles to deserving people in the community. The dealership donates a refurbished car to one deserving person each month. It’s team of mechanics inspects, repairs, or replaces the vehicles’ tires, brakes, suspension, and exhaust as well as any belts, hoses, and necessary body panels.

“It’s our great honor to share our success with the community,” says Victor Figlin, General Manager of Indy Auto Man. “Families like the Hewletts share our values of self-motivation, initiative, and hard work. Vickie and her son have overcome many difficulties and by giving them this vehicle we will help them make an impact in their community."

Denisse Jensen, executive director of the Indianapolis GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center where Vickie’s son receives many of his services, nominated Hewlett for the program. “Vickie is a humble and selfless person. She always has a smile on her face and is always willing and eager to help the hundreds of children with Down syndrome in our community.”

Indy Auto Man presented Hewlett with her car Tuesday, April 27th at 4:30 p.m. at 3Up in Carmel. When asked what it would mean to have a reliable car with no payments Hewlett says, “I always knew God had a plan for me, so I can’t wait to pass on the love and bless someone else. This will allow me to volunteer again at GiGi’s and my church. Having a car will also allow me to drive some of my elderly neighbors to their doctors’ appointments and volunteer with the homeless shelter in Indianapolis.”

About GiGi’s Playhouse:

Serving children and adults of all ages, GiGi’s Playhouse Indianapolis provides educational and therapeutic programs at no charge to families in a format in which individuals with Down syndrome learn best. We will never let cost deter our families from participation or impede the achievement of our children and adults. In helping individuals with Down syndrome achieve their Best of All, we also advance our larger vision of global acceptance for people of all abilities. All programs aim to maximize self-confidence and empower individuals to achieve their greatest potential. GiGi’s Playhouse Indianapolis is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization. Learn more at http://gigisplayhouse.org/indianapolis.