The Heiser Boys and Girls Club in Dumfries is getting a new van.
The club has been having significant challenges with transporting the hundreds of children that take part in their programs, and Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire decided to step in and lend a hand.
“We found out the Dumfries Boys and Girls Club – the Heiser Club…they’ve started to come up short on vans being able to bring kids back and forth,” said Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire owner ST Billingsley.
According to Billingsley, a van was donated to the Heiser Club by another donor, but when it was determined that the van wasn’t driveable because of frame damage, he began to look for a van to donate.
The van can seat 10 passengers, and even includes a wheelchair lift.
“Now if there are any kids with special needs that want to the Boys and Girls Club, they now have a vehicle that will allow that,” said Billingsley.
According to Regional Vice President for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington Jim Almond, Steve’s Auto Repair & Tires’ donation will allow the Dumfries club to serve an additional 20 children per day.
“It’s huge for us…because we have been scrambling. We have such a large influx of kids at the Heiser Club…it’s been a real challenge trying to serve all of the kids with the depleted fleet that we [have]. So this means the world to us,” said Almond.
The Heiser Club has had its fair share of challenges over the years. According to Almond, the club was shut down 4 years ago for a time, but now the club is more vibrant than ever.
“We’re at capacity – we have a waiting list…[the club] has really taken off – it’s done some great things,” said Almond.
Several businesses in Prince William have helped to get the club off the ground, providing donations and support, according to the Heiser Branch Manager Judy Moore.
“This will be a tremendous help…I am just so thrilled,” said Moore.
According to Billingsley, the van will be delivered to the club in the beginning of January.
