Today we’d like to introduce you to Terry Franz.
Hi Terry, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 1996 I owned a used car lot and specialised in Special finance for people with credit issues. Some people just couldnt finance a vehicle but still needed transportation. I asked Randy Miller on Q 104 if he would like to award cars on Christmas. I took 7 cars that were mechanically sound and took applications from the public. We gave them away on Christmas Eve morning and all 4 major TV stations showed up to see us give the cars away. We called it Cars 4 Christmas. I switched to Max Tanna and Moffit on 99.7 Ky for 9 years every Christmas, (Max Floyd the Rock and Roll general gave me the nickname of Car Santa) , We called the recipients for an on air interview then tell them they would receive a car at our event. and I got it up to 50 vehicles we awarded and decided we would give a car away every week after that. Many applications were coming in from people serving in the gulf war and it didn’t sound right “Cars 4 Christmas in June and July so we decided to focus on veterans and call it Cars 4 Heroes. We were on 101 The Fox for 18 years with Brian (Slacker) Adams. He passed from cancer , we them concentrated on awarding cars nationally. In the last 6 months we awarded vehicles on Colorado Springs, Indianapolis, Tampa, Florida, Columbia, mo, Topeka, and Kansas City.
We have awarded thousands of cars over the 30 years. Awarded cars with Celebrities like Alice Cooper in Phoenix, Kiss ( Paul and Gene) twice, Ted Nugent 3 times and been featured on CBS On the Road with Steve Hartman, History Channel with Larry the Cable guy (Only in America) Drs, Show , NBC Making a difference, BYU Channel. Venues like Dallas Stars game, Nashville Predator’s, Columbus Blue jackets, Arrowhead during a Chiefs game.
This Year we will award 20 vehicles on December 18th at Ward Parkway Center, Te cars will be filled with Groceries, Toys for all the children, Child safety seats will be supplied and the Highway Patrol will install them. Gas Cards from Local Elks and VFW’s. This will be officially the 30th event we have held. Over 11 local businesses have joined us to make this event a special time of giving.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We have struggled through many obstacles. Cash for clunkers took many of the vehicles off the road and destroyed instead of the cars being donated. The need never slows down, we receive over 200 applications a day from all over the nation. We don’t receive any state or city or federal government funds this is all people helping people.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Cars 4 Heroes inc.?
Mission; Cars 4 Heroes provides transportation to veterans and First responders and families who are unable to Obtain one on their own.
We assist many organizations like VCP (Tiny Homes) St Michaels Veterans home. Hud -Vash awarding to local heroes along with any veteran or first responder that served honorably.
Many charities take in donated cars and apply the funds toward their cause but only 4 organizations nationally actually give vehicles to those in need. We are the biggest and award the most cars.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Grew up In Spokane Washington until I was 18 and moved to Kansas City
Pricing:
- There is no cost to any of our recipients
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Cars4heroes.org
- Instagram: Cars_4_Heroes
- Facebook: Terry Car Santa Franz
- Twitter: Cars 4 heroes
- Youtube: Cars4heroes20
