During her interview with CAM, Singer learned that she qualified to enter the Summer 2017 Drive & Thrive Car Giveaway sponsored by Elite Auto Experts, a Cypress-are auto repair and body shop that had recently partnered with CAM in support of the organization's annual school supply drive.

"I never dreamed I would win a car," Singer said. "That's always something that happens to somebody else. When I got the call that I was selected, I was really shocked and in disbelief."

But win she did! A committee comprised of Cypress-area business and community leaders chose Singer's entry from around 40 nominations and entries for the car giveaway. On August 23, a crowd of local business owners, along with representatives of CAM and the Cy-Fair Chamber of Commerce, cheered as Elite Auto Experts owners Moufid and Moe Rabieh presented Singer and two of her children with the keys to a Hyundai Elantra.

"I can say with confidence that the car went to the right person," Moufid said. "It makes me feel so happy that it went to deserving people in need."

As for Singer, she could hardly believe her luck. As a newly-minted benefits consultant for a health care company, she spends a lot of time on the road, visiting senior citizens. Her old car registered close to 250K miles.

"I didn't know how long the old car was going to last. We were just praying it would," she said. "Having a car that's dependable, it makes me feel a lot more secure when I'm out on the road."

Elite Auto Experts had purchased the 2012 Hyundai Elantra at auction, then restored the vehicle inside and out until it looked (and drove) like new. Over the next 12 months, Singer will receive free oil changes and, should any repairs be needed, the auto repair and body shop will cover those at no charge, too.

THE BUCK DOES NOT STOP HERE!

With a new job, the oldest daughter in college, and two more children in the Cy-Fair ISD school system, Singer has her hands full. Thanks to CAM's school supply drive and the community's contributions to the effort, her youngest two are now also guaranteed to have a great start to the school year. The trunk of the giveaway car contained school supplies and clothing for Singer's youngest children, entering 7th and 1st grade.

"The school supplies, too, are so on time, because I need that for my children," Singer said. "I feel so blessed and excited. It releases a lot of the burden that's on me."

Altogether, CAM so far outfitted more than 700 children with school supplies and clothing this summer. The need is great, according to Janet Ryan with CAM, but once again the community and local businesses have stepped up to ensure that children of all walks of life are primed for academic success.

"We feel very strongly that education is the best way to alleviate poverty," Ryan said. "In order to have a good education you have to believe you're capable, but if you start the school year missing things that your classmates have...if you're dressed less nicely, if you don't have the needed materials...you start out not feeling very confident. The first days of school matter so much."

Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union was one of the local businesses that also rose to the occasion with a $400 donation. The credit union was originally formed by educators, and the financial institution is happy to give back.

"Cy-Fair Independent School district is at the hub of our community," said Valerie Britton, VP of HR and Compliance. "The children they educate help grow our community. They're our future leaders, our future employees, so we're pleased to help those children succeed. "

Moufid said Elite Auto Experts is far from done supporting its community. The first two runner-ups in the car giveaway contest will receive help getting their existing vehicles in road-ready condition - for free, of course. Plus, the car giveaways will continue.

"This will be part of the culture of our business," Moufid explained. "We will do this again for Christmas, and again next year for back-to-school, then again for Christmas, and so on. We look forward to partnering with the leaders of this community who help us achieve this goal in the future."

Ryan said CAM will surely be on board for any future initiatives Elite Auto Experts may sponsor to benefit the community it serves.

"The owners, Moufid and Moe, have worked so hard to be successful, and they're taking their success and using that to help other people in our community who are struggling," Ryan said. "This is out of the generosity and kindness of their hearts. I'm proud to know them and I'm so happy to work with them."

Amid exclamations of wonder, cheers of joy, and rounds of congratulations, Singer inspected her new car and reflected on her family's unexpected good fortune.

"What they're doing is a wonderful thing," she said. "I'm really glad they're thinking about the people in their community - people like me, single moms, children. This is life-changing."

WE HAVE A WINNER!

Elite Auto Experts and Cypress Assistance Ministries (CAM) are excited to announce that the Hyundai Elantra we restored to like-new condition is about to get a new home!

The winner we selected is a Cypress-area single mom of three kids-one in college, and the little ones 6 and 12 years old. Fredericka recently started a new job visiting seniors, an occupation that puts her on the road a lot. Her current vehicle has almost 245K miles on it, and we think Fredericka deserves a reliable vehicle that keeps her safe on the road as she provides for her family.

Congratulations, Fredericka!

Check back later this month for photos of the award ceremony when we hand Fredericka the keys to the Hyundai Elantra!

PLEASE NOTE: THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED. NO NEW ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Elite Auto Experts is excited to announce the Summer 2017 Drive & Thrive car giveaway and school supply drive. That's right! We are giving away a fully restored 2012 Hyundai Elantra to one lucky single parent from the Cy-Fair area this summer! We have also partnered with Cypress Assistance Ministries (CAM) in hosting a school supply drive we hope will benefit a great number of local disadvantaged children.

WHY WE'RE DOING THIS

At Elite Auto Experts we're more than technicians and managers. We're mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. We're single parents. We know what it means to be down on your luck, and we understand that life doesn't always go as planned. We're people who care about our customers. We're people who care about our families. And we're people who care about our community.

"We want to give back to this community that has done so much for us over the years through its patronage, trust and loyalty."

~ Moufid Rabieh, owner, Elite Auto Experts

But we can't do it alone. That's why we count on the goodwill and generosity of our community to lift up as many of our children as we can so they can get the best possible start to the upcoming school year. There are many ways you can help!

ABOUT THE CAR GIVEAWAY

Elite Auto Experts recently purchased a 2012 Hyundai Elantra at auction with the goal of restoring the vehicle to its original beauty and performance level. We're pleased to say that our paint and body team lived up to the challenge and has exceeded all expectations — this vehicle looks and drives like new! Thoroughly inspected for safety and worry-free driving pleasure, the Elantra features a sun roof and leather seats. Plus, the lucky winner will receive a full year of complimentary oil changes! Tax, title and registration fees (TTL) will also be covered by Elite Auto Express.

"As an extra bonus, we plan on filling the Elantra to the brim with school supplies!"

~ Moe Rabieh, owner, Elite Auto Experts

After all, reliable transportation can guarantee access to health care, nutrition and education, but a backpack filled with goodies and a solid set of shoes builds confidence and readies students for the academic challenges ahead.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED. NO NEW ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED. WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN AUGUST!

To be eligible to win, you:

• are a resident of zip codes 77065, 77095, 77429, or 77433
• are a single parent of a child or children entering grades K-12 for the 2017/2018 school year
• your current vehicle is 10 years old or older
• are 18 or older
• are in possession of a legal, valid driver's license
• complete the official application

Submit your own entry or tell us about a friend or family member who could really use a ride! Nominations are accepted!

HOW TO ENTER

Fill out the form at the link below and maybe you'll be the lucky winner!

The deadline for entries and nominations is July 25. Winners will be announced the second week of August.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED. NO NEW ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED. WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN AUGUST!

THE SMALL PRINT

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY to enter or win. Void where prohibited. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply.

Read the full car giveaway rules here.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Let's fill the Elantra to the brim with school supplies! We appreciate all donations of the following items:

• Pens, markers, pencils, highlighters, and crayons
• Backpacks
• Rulers and calculators
• Notebooks, folders, binders, etc.



ABOUT THE SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE

Studies show that, on average, parents spent nearly $500 for back-to-school clothing, accessories, school supplies, computers and other electronics for their children in 2016. Even if you bypass the pricey electronics, which is difficult to do in an all-digital world, clothing and basic supplies still set parents back at least $50-$100 — not exactly chump change for a lot of folks.

"At Elite Auto Experts, we believe that a parent's income bracket should never be a qualifier for a child's success."

~ Moufid Rabieh

All children deserve the chance to do well in school, and a set of pencils and binders, warm socks and decent shoes, just happen to make all the difference when it comes to the opportunity to succeed.

WHAT'S NEEDED

• Tennis shoes and sneakers for boys and girls
• Undergarments and socks
• Pens, markers, pencils, highlighters, and crayons
• Backpacks
• Rulers and calculators
• Notebooks, folders, binders, etc.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

1. BE GENEROUS: Donate school supplies by dropping them off in the lobby of Elite Auto Experts, 17130-B FM 529, Houston, TX 77095
2. FIX YOUR CAR, HELP A KID (OR THREE): Bring in your car to Elite Auto Experts for paint and/or body work! For every vehicle that comes in between now and July 20, Elite Auto Experts will outfit up to three local students with clothing and school supplies.
3. TREADS FOR TREADS: Get a FREE tire alignment if you donate a pair of tennis shoes by July 20!

Donated items will be delivered to CAM on July 21, 2017.

ABOUT ELITE AUTO EXPERTS

We are a family-owned, family-operated automotive repair business located in northwest Houston. Earlier this year, we moved to a new location (just next door to our longtime home!) and added paint and body repair services to our list of offerings in an effort to deliver a complete tool chest of services for your vehicle. We pride ourselves on first-rate, honest service provided by top-of-the-line technicians.

ABOUT CAM

Elite Auto Experts is honored to partner with Cypress Assistance Ministries, an established and trusted local charity organization dedicated to lending a hand to those who need it. For more information, please visit http://www.cypressassistance.org/.