Virginia High School Students Repair Used Cars to Gift to Single Moms

A community program is empowering teens to help local mothers in need with transportation.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:22pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A group of students from Louisa County High School near Richmond, Virginia, are repairing used cars to donate to single mothers in their community through a partnership with the local non-profit 'Giving Words'. The charity was founded in 2018 to provide transportation assistance to single moms, and now the high school trade program is helping fix up donated vehicles so they can be gifted to families in need at no cost.

Why it matters

Access to reliable transportation is a major barrier for many single mothers, limiting their ability to get to work, school, and medical appointments. This community program is addressing that need by empowering local high school students to develop valuable trade skills while also making a tangible difference in the lives of struggling families.

The details

The students enrolled in the high school trade program are repairing used cars donated to the 'Giving Words' non-profit, which was founded in 2018 by Eddie Brown and his wife Ginny. The charity has received over 60 donated cars to date, which are then gifted to single mothers at no cost. Two students, Owen Yarrington and Stephen Smith, are among those helping to ensure the vehicles are properly repaired and ready for their new owners. While the work comes with high stakes and pressure, the students find joy in the meaningful impact their efforts have on the recipients.

  • The 'Giving Words' non-profit was founded in 2018.
  • The charity has received over 60 donated cars to date.

The players

Louisa County High School

A high school in Virginia that has partnered with the 'Giving Words' non-profit to provide a trade program where students repair used cars to donate to single mothers.

Giving Words

A non-profit organization founded in 2018 by Eddie Brown and his wife Ginny to provide transportation assistance to single mothers in the form of donated and repaired used cars.

Owen Yarrington

A student at Louisa County High School who is part of the trade program repairing used cars to donate to single mothers.

Stephen Smith

A student at Louisa County High School who is part of the trade program repairing used cars to donate to single mothers.

Shane Robertson

A teacher at Louisa County High School who is an alumnus of the school's trade program and now leads the students in repairing the donated cars.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“What we learned was transportation was the first thing. Without transportation you don't have access to a job, you don't have access to education, you don't have access to medical needs.”

— Eddie Brown, Co-founder, Giving Words

“So it is a lot of pressure because you had to do it right and you have to make sure everything's torqued to spec so nothing falls apart.”

— Stephen Smith, Student, Louisa County High School

“When they tear up and cry it makes you want to tear up and cry.”

— Owen Yarrington, Student, Louisa County High School

“It's not just a car. It's not just nuts and bolts. It's literally the difference between someone making it and someone not.”

— Shane Robertson, Teacher, Louisa County High School

“I can further my education now. I can go to college, I can get a better job. Just all of it, more time with my family.”

— Jessica Williams, Single Mother

What’s next

The Giving Words non-profit plans to continue expanding its reach and partnering with more high schools in the Richmond area to provide transportation assistance to single mothers in need.

The takeaway

This community program is a heartwarming example of how high school students can develop valuable trade skills while also making a meaningful difference in the lives of struggling families. By repairing used cars to gift to single mothers, these teens are empowering local women to access new opportunities and spend more quality time with their children.