When single mother-of-two Kattrill George moved to Mooloolah after losing all of her possessions in the Lismore floods, one selfless gesture “changed her life.”
Not long after her brave move, Mooloolah Community Centre organised a meeting with local resident and Cans for Cars president Sam Tucker, who had selected Ms George to be his next candidate and recipient for a much-needed car.
“I burst into tears when Sam gifted me that car,” Ms George said.
“I couldn’t believe it. It bridged many gaps for me.
“My life was on the rocks during that period – I had my kids and I’d lost everything – it changed my life and I could move forward.”
Ms George said she’d also made a friend out of the good deed.
“Sam is an amazing person, I’m so grateful,” she said.
Cans for Cars is the brainchild of Mr Tucker who came up with the idea three and a half years ago after being given a few cars (by some parents) of children he was teaching how to drive in the community.
Some of the cars where too good to throw away, so Mr Tucker said he thought to give them to someone in need – people either disadvantaged or suffering from a disability.
“Then I started collecting cans to cash in at the Beerwah depot to save up for my first car to give away,” Mr Tucker said.
At 10 cents a can, Mr Tucker said it took 40,000 cans over a year and a half to purchase the first car to give away.
So far, he’s given away nine and is saving up for his tenth.
“I’ve been donated 15 cars in total,” he said.
“We’ve only had to purchase one vehicle … all the rest have been donated by the public once they heard of this story,” he said.
Last week Mr Tucker had the privilege of giving car number eight to Sunshine Coast residents Kat and Tim.
“Both are on disability and the opportunity to save for a car was not in their reach,” Mr Tucker said.
“But from Cans For Cars I was able to supply them a great little vehicle for the next couple of years.
“From a simple can to car number eight, I couldn’t be more proud of my hard work and dedication, and with all the support of so many businesses, we are now able to create something amazing with a huge ripple affect on the Sunshine Coast.”
Now Mr Tucker mostly relies on car donations from the public but is still collecting cans for his non profit organisation as well – to go towards buying cars, parts, and registrations.
“I want to give back to community,” he said.
“Three receivers were shell shocked, they couldn’t believe it.
“It’s been amazing and humbling knowing I make a difference.”
An ADHD sufferer himself, Mr Tucker said the non profit organisation was a tool toward a bigger goal.
“I am also trying to create what I want for my future – more support and awareness around ADHD, mental health and suicide,” he said.
“I have a goal for 2027 to open up my own ADHD and dyslexia learning facility.
“I want to be another person on the Sunshine Coast making a noise about mental health and suicide prevention awareness and trying to break the cycle.”
When it comes down to the process for choosing his next candidate, Mr Tucker said it was a case by case scenario and different stories come through to him through different channels.
He said the Mooloolah Valley Community Centre and Lily House at Nambour help to find him candidates.
“I also have Mooloolah Mechanics and Caloundra Repco helping it all come together,” he said.
“I’m very grateful to all the businesses involved.
“It’s such a great way to connect with people in the community too … they call me up and ask me to collect their cans. I’ve driven all over the coast to pick up can donations, but it’s all worthwhile.”
With most people in need only having an automatic license Mr Tucker said he was currently in need of some more automatic car donations.
To get involved in Cans for Cans head to the Facebook page or his Sam Tucker Facebook Page.
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