Annual giveaway will help children and grandmother make ends meet in light of loss
By Josh Bootsma
HOMEWOOD, Ill. (December 24, 2020) – Homewood Chevy continued its annual tradition of giving away a car every Christmas Eve morning this year by donating a 2020 Chevy Sonic to Dollena Colvin, who is taking care of four grandchildren after her daughter and son-in-law died in a tragic car accident in October.
Tragic circumstances
On October 6, Michelle and Jeremy Steward—Colvin’s daughter and son-in-law—borrowed Colvin’s car and were involved in a car accident that killed both of them, leaving their four children without parents.
“[The accident] left them with me now,” Colvin said of her grandchildren, one of whom is recovering from brain cancer, and another of whom is only ten months old.
“This is such a blessing for me” the Blue Island resident said as she touched the car. “It will never replace my daughter. Never. But I tell everybody she’s looking down like, ‘Y’all better get my momma a car!'”
Colvin was nominated for the car by her niece, DeAnna Taylor, a South Holland resident. “She kind of inherited a new life,” Taylor said of her aunt, “If an accident like that happened to me, I would want someone to support my mom.”
A tradition of helping those in need
This is the sixth year Chevy of Homewood has donated a car on Christmas Eve, though this year’s donation was done with less fanfare—and less people—than in years past, due to COVID-19 concerns. Homewood Chevy staff were present at the event as were some of Colvin’s family, including the four grandchildren whom Colvin is now taking care of. The crowd was small in comparison to previous years’, which filled the room.
Over 700 submissions were made in this year’s giveaway, far surpassing the roughly 400 that were received last year. Homewood Chevy owner Steve Phillipos attributed the increase in submissions to the toll that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on so many families. “They’re all touching stories, they really are,” Phillipos said, “it made it very difficult for us to pick these nice folks. But we think it’s a great thing.”
“These are beautiful people,” Phillipos said as he stood with Colvin and her family. “I know they believe in miracles, and we believe in miracles.”
The sales tax on the vehicle was paid for by the dealer, as was the first six months of insurance on the car. “All you have to do is drive your new car,” Phillipos said.
“Give me them keys!” Colvin exclaimed in response.
After Homewood Chevy staff fitted the Chevy Sonic with a license plate, Colvin and her grandkids drove off in their new car.
Chevrolet of Homewood is located at 18033 Halsted Street, Homewood, IL.
Related
- Homewood Chevy gifts car to elderly couple raising disabled great grandchild (December 25, 2018)
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Food and toy drive brings Christmas to families in need (December 19, 2020)
