VISTA, Calif. — If you know a high school senior who needs a free car this story is for you.
In this Zevely Zone, I went to TJ Crossman's Auto Repair in Vista to learn about his free car giveaway.
At CBS 8 we are 'Working for You' and in this case, it means letting you know that your high school graduate could win a car in the first week of June. TJ Crossman has given away more than a dozen cars in recent years. "I am doing it again," said TJ. "I want to reward a student that's been working hard."
In the first week of June, a graduating high school senior will drive off in a beauty. "She's a great car. This is a 2002 Volkswagen Passat. It's got about 146,000 miles, it was given to us by a generous customer," said TJ. Fix Auto Body Repair Shop in Vista painted the car for free.
TJ is asking every applicant to write an essay.
Here are the qualifications he is looking for. "Why do they deserve a car? Why do they need a car? How will the car change their life?" said TJ.
I've watched this big-hearted mechanic and single father do this over and over. In 2018, TJ gave a car away to Mathew Haynes who is a multiple open-heart surgery survivor. One of my favorite car giveaways was to special needs teacher Amy Spoelstra who never saw it coming. "No, no no!!" yelled Amy. "I have a car!"
So will a high school senior, just as they graduate. "New paint job, it's going to have new tires it's going to be fully serviced. The brakes are going to be great. It's going to have new shocks and struts all the way around," said TJ who is also throwing in six months of free service. "I want this car to be stress-free, worry-free and reliable for them."
For our viewers reading this article who may want to help out with the car giveaway. TJ always throws in some extras such as gas cards and cash for the winners. One year a viewer from La Jolla paid for the winner's car insurance for a year. If you would like to help out all you have to do is call or email TJ's Auto Repair in Vista.
The phone number is (760) 842-1633. The email address is TJ@TJCrossmansAutoRepair.com.
High school seniors can nominate themselves or have a loved one do it. The deadline to enter is Friday, May 31st and remember because TJ is giving a car away to a minor, he will need parental consent. "I love matching the right car up with the right person," said TJ. "After my first car giveaway I learned that the magic happens when you hand over the keys."
Again, the deadline to enter the car giveaway is Friday, May 31st. To enter all you have to do is submit your essay to TJ@TJCrossmansAutoRepair.com.