Written By: Heather Hunter, Synergize, Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Initiative, honesty, hard work, continued education, self-motivation to improve, and a passion for paying it forward; these are the qualities Indy Auto Man seeks in the recipients of their IAM 4 Indy car donation program.
This month, they found all of them in Vickie Hewlett. On April 26, Indy Auto Man presented Hewlett, the 12th IAM 4 Indy recipient, with a refurbished car. Hewlett was nominated by Denisse Jensen, Executive Director at Gigi’s Playhouse and close friend of Hewlett and her son.
Carmel-based professional group Synergize helps Indy Auto Man, a Synergize Ripple of Impact partner, by nominating recipients. Kelly Ulm, who works between Indy Auto Man and Synergize to coordinate the program, joined Jensen to surprise Hewlett with the news at Gigi’s playhouse. They celebrated with happy tears and hugs.
“Vickie displays so many qualities valued by both Synergize and Indy Auto Man,” explained Ulm. “She’s invested in relationships in her neighborhood, in her church, and at Gigi’s. She goes above and beyond to volunteer and help others whenever she can. Over the last year, COVID-19 has hit her and her family pretty hard. This car will be a huge help to her and her son.”
Hewlett will be featured on an upcoming episode of Circle City Success podcast, co-hosted by Synergize members Drew Feutz and Jason Ulm. Each month, the new recipient will join the podcast, sharing their story and their new car’s influence on their future goals.
On their end, Indy Auto Man is gearing up for their next giveaway in June. “We plan to give away a car as often as once a month, as long as we have enough applicants,” says Victor Figlin, General Manager at Indy Auto Man. His team, who refurbishes each car before donating it, also provide 12 months of free repairs to each recipient.
Although Indy Auto Man partners with Synergize, anyone from Indianapolis and the surrounding communities can nominate a recipient. For more information about nominations, email Victor at victor@indyautoman.com.
