WTSP: Charities Keep Wheels of Success Turning by Awarding 3 Cars on Jan. 28

Hands Across The Bay is teaming up with Wheels of Success for a fundraiser to benefit full-time working families who need reliable transportation to get to their jobs.

They’re throwing the “Biggest Aquarian Birthday Bash” on Friday, Jan. 28 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Centre Club, 123 S. Westshore Blvd. in Tampa.

At the event, five women will have their lives changed. Three will receive the keys to cars, so they will no longer have to rely on friends or public transportation to get their children to school, and themselves to work. Two recipients who were awarded cars at last year’s event will joyfully receive the titles to their automobiles, having completed the program successfully.

It will be an emotional event. One of the women is a single mom with a 15-month-old son who, despite her full-time position with an insurance company, ended up homeless. Metropolitan Ministries is helping her find transitional housing, and referred her to the Wheels of Success program to help provide reliable transportation.

Since its inception in 2003, the Wheels of Success organization has awarded more than 400 vehicles, and another 400 families have received services such as automobile repairs and/or assistance with car payments, tag and title, or insurance, said Susan Jacobs, the founder and CEO of Wheels of Success,.

CNN named Jacobs one of its “CNN Heroes” in 2009 for her efforts to keep working families working.

Advance tickets are $40 each or two for $75. All Aquarians (born Jan. 20 to Feb. 18) receive FREE admission with a paying guest, or pay just $20 if solo. Tickets cost $50 on the day of the event. Purchase tickets through PayPal at www.wheelsofsuccess.org or call (813) 417-1090.

Beth Gaddis | WTSP