It was a lunch outing James Dyck won鈥檛 soon forget.
The Salmon Arm man was the recipient of this year鈥檚 Shuswap Christmas Car Giveaway, an annual event in which local businesses Braby Motors, SASCU, Kal Tire and Fix Auto Collision partner to provide a nominated Shuswap resident with the gift of a refurbished vehicle.
Dyck, a former Emergency Medical Technician with Chase Fire Rescue, was nominated to receive the vehicle by friend Chris Welyk. To keep the giveaway a surprise, Welyk invited Dyck out for lunch on Monday, Dec. 13, with a stop at Braby Motors supposedly to check out a Dodge Charger Hellcat.
鈥淗e went through some real tough times in his life and he鈥檚 helped the community a lot too on his end as an EMT, and you know, I think sometimes it鈥檚 just nice to give and help someone out who is in need,鈥� said Welyk.
Dyck, accompanied by daughter Cadence Trottier, was overwhelmed by the surprise.
鈥淭here are things that I have out of town now for what I鈥檓 going through 鈥� it鈥檚 going to make it a lot easier; I don鈥檛 have to worry about it,鈥� said Dyck. 鈥淎lso, just doing things with my kid, especially when I have those rough days, it鈥檚 always nice to go out and pick up my daughter and go out and have fun.鈥�
Included with this year鈥檚 vehicle, a 2012 Jeep Patriot, is a year鈥檚 insurance provided by SASCU, fuel cards and winter and summer tires on rims.
鈥淭he reason that we do it is we obviously want to change a family鈥檚 life, give them safe, reliable transportation,鈥� said Braby Motors鈥� Justin Braby. 鈥淏ut we also want to inspire others to do kind things this time of the year or any time of the year.鈥�
In a related media release, Dan Burt, general manager at the Salmon Arm Kal Tire, explained while it鈥檚 difficult to choose among the nominees, he looks forward to being part of the giveaway each year.
鈥淓veryone faces hardships in their lives,鈥� said Derick Miller, general manager of Fix Auto. 鈥淚t鈥檚 great for our team to see the work we do make such a difference.鈥�
鈥淭his annual event truly reflects the spirit of community in working together to help make a difference in the lives鈥� of others,鈥� commented Barry Delaney, SASCU鈥檚 chief executive officer. 鈥淲e wish James and his family a bright holiday season and all the best in the new year.鈥�
Each November, the partnering businesses put out a call for nominations of someone whose life would be meaningfully impacted by the gift of a refurbished vehicle. One story is selected by a committee of the sponsors whose businesses share in the process and cost of getting the vehicle ready for the giveaway.
Read more:
Read more:
lachlan@saobserver.net
Like us on and follow us on
to get Salmon Arm stories in your inbox every morning.
James Dyck
EMT retired first responder for Chase Fire Rescue
