By Heidi Roman
C & G Staff Writer

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Imagine one parent with eight kids and no car to help her get them to school, daycare, doctor’s appointments or friends’ houses — not to mention getting herself to work or the grocery store.

That’s the reality 43-year-old Debbie Rodgers has been living with. Since her daughter died in a fatal car accident, Rodgers has been caring for three of her grandchildren in addition to her own kids, all ranging in age from 3 years old to 17 years old.

The family is living in a church member’s home while they look for a larger, more affordable place to live. In the meantime, getting around town has been a struggle.

But Rodgers and four other single mothers were chosen to receive like-new cars in the Wheels of Hope Benevolence program last week. Collex Collision Experts in Clinton Township partnered with the Traffic Safety Association of Macomb County to bring five cars into near perfect condition and present them to single mothers who are trying to make a better life for their families.

“This is our second year,” said Julie Gagliano, community relations director for Collex Collision Experts. “Last year we gave away two vehicles; this year we’re giving away five. We’re taking this to the next step”

Different agencies and nonprofits in the area recommend single mothers who are either working or going to school, who then go through an interview process before actually receiving the cars.

“I’ve never had anything like this happen to me,” said Emily Duckworth of Clinton Township, one of the mothers chosen. “It’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”

For Duckworth, 31, finally owning her own car will pave the way for new opportunities for her. Not having her own transportation has made it tough to get her kids where they need to go, and to secure a job.

“After I get this car, I’m going to get a job,” said Duckworth, mother of three boys ages 1, 5 and 11. “I’ve been working on it, but it’s tough without a car.”

Duckworth is attending Baker College of Clinton Township in hopes of becoming a teacher, and is currently living with her sons in an aunt’s house. She attends class full time while making sure her boys get to school.

“It’s been complicated,” she said. “My mom — and I’m lucky to have her — has got really bad arthritis.” That makes finding a ride to class or the kids’ school more difficult.

“I planned to succeed with or without the car; it’s just going to make it a lot easier with the car,” she said.

Rodgers has been providing for her eight children by working at Robbie Hall Parker Elementary School. She gave up her old job to take a position at the school, where some of her kids attend, so she could be close to them. She just received her driver’s license this past month, in anticipation of the car.

The Wheels of Hope program also presented like-new cars to Eastpointe mother Elaine Harris, Amy White of St. Clair Shores and Sharlene Bette of Lake Orion.

In addition to the car — a lifesaver on its own — the families each got their auto insurance paid for one year, and other local businesses have chipped in to provide wheels and tires, gas cards, car wash coupons, restaurant gift certificates, grocery store gift certificates and AAA Road Service.

“They walk away with a package that is just unbelievable,” Gagliano said. “And it’s all from the donations made in our community.”

You can reach Staff Writer Heidi Roman at hroman@candgnews.com or at (586) 218-5006.