The Ryan Nece Foundation’s Power of Giving has teamed up with Wheels of Success to raise funds to keep working families working. Last year, Wheels of Success took $55 gifted to them by an initial Power of Giving recipient in order to generate $15,000 in cash and vehicle donations. These donations helped get 20 families on the road at the 4^th Annual Wheels of Success Labor Day event. This year, the Ryan Nece Foundation and Wheels of Success are hoping to raise enough funds to get 55 families on the road by providing donated vehicles to applicants who have been “waiting for wheels” and to assist others by paying for needed repairs to vehicles they already own.

Without reliable transportation, maintaining employment and covering basic family needs is extremely challenging. To help raise funds to meet the transportation needs of Tampa Bay’s lower income working families, the Ryan Nece Foundation and Wheels of Success are kicking off the $55 Saves Lives fundraising and awareness campaign. The campaign runs through the end of August and will culminate in the 5^th Annual “Working Wheels Keep Families Working” Labor Day event to be held on Monday, September 6, from 9 am – noon at the Family Justice Center parking lot in the Floriland Office Center, 9309 North Florida Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33612.

With an average cost of $1,200 per car for repairs and refurbishing, the fundraising goal is $66,000. The $55 Saves Lives campaign will allow individual supporters to set and reach personal fundraising goals in any amount of $55 or more by displaying a $55 Saves Lives donation box at their place of business. To obtain a $55 Saves Lives donation collection box—or to make a cash donation—please contact Susan Jacobs at 813.417.1090. To make a vehicle donation, please visit www.wheelsofsuccess.org or contact Lisa Ferrer: 813-417-1820. When donating, please indicate you heard about this project through the Ryan Nece Foundation’s Power of Giving Web page.

Founded in 2003, Wheels of Success is Tampa Bay’s only 501(c)3 nonprofit organization providing a full range of transportation solutions, including vehicle replacement and car repairs, as well as licensing, car payment and down payment assistance.  To date, Wheels of Success has provided 346 vehicles and an additional 365 car-related services to low and moderate income families.  For more information, please visitwww.wheelsofsuccess.org or call (813) 490-9443.

The Ryan Nece Foundation is excited to partner with Wheels of Success for this impactful program. Thank you to the two lead sponsors on the campaign, Casper’s Company McDonald’s and Tampa General Hospital. Please donate today and spread the word so we can all experience the Power of Giving in a major way this Labor Day!