By Mark Ambrogi
Christian Brothers Automotive Fishers added a new twist on the annual National Service Day.
This is initiative for all the Christian Brothers Automotive shops, but Jared Seaman said all the franchise owners decide what they want to do.
“Our name comes from a faith-based organization, and we to try to give back throughout the year,” said Seaman, a Noblesville resident who owns the Fishers franchise with his wife, Mandy. “But one big way is to have a National Service Day. It’s a day we give free oil changes to single mothers and widows, mostly, who are struggling to try to get ahead. This is a small way to give back. We partnered with Good Samaritan Network, and they helped us facilitate the families in need that could benefit from a free oil change.”
Seaman said the shop decided to do more this year by fixing up a car and giving it to a single mother on its Oct. 15 National Service Day. A 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier was given to Shayna Cummings of Westfield.
Seaman said the shop sometimes gets cars that the owners don’t feel are worth fixing due to the cost of the repairs and the value of the vehicle.
“Some of the people don’t have a way of getting rid of the vehicle, so we have a way that they can donate the car to us,” Seaman said. “Through a local vendor, we can fix up the car at a cost-effective rate and give the car to a local individual or family.”
Good Samaritan Network interviewed different candidates for the vehicle.
The shop is typically closed on weekends, so Seaman opened the shop for the event.
“My seven employees volunteer their time and work for free for the day,” Seaman said. “They look over the cars and make sure they are safe.”
Seaman said there were 70 free oil changes given, the most of the three years his shop has held the event.
“We put on a fun day of food and entertainment, which is of no cost to the participants,” Seaman said. “They are encouraged to bring their families and kids. This year we had a bounce house, ice cream truck, a face painter, pony rides for kids and adults.”
