Judy Rendon, who works with Rappahannock Council on Domestic Violence, recently won a car from Easterns Automotive. Those who work with her at the shelter nominated her for the giveaway. Christopher Wehling/The Free Lance-Star

Worker at a women's shelter gets a free car for herself--and to help those who've been abused

Date published: 12/19/2007

By CATHY DYSON

Judy Rendon needed a vehicle, not just to get herself to work but also as part of her job helping abused women.

A Reston auto dealership made it possible for the woman--who others say deserved a free car more than anyone they know--to do both.

Rendon is the in-house manager of a shelter operated by the Rappahannock Council on Domestic Violence in Fredericksburg.

She drives women to court and doctors' appointments and makes sure they have food and personal items. "Sometimes, they come in and all they have are the clothes on their back," she said.

Rendon, 66, knows what that's like. She lived through an abusive relationship and didn't know where to turn for help. She also has been homeless.

Rendon moved to Fredericksburg from Texas in 2000 to be near her granddaughter. When the younger woman joined the military, Rendon ended up homeless, and living at the Thurman Brisben Center for three months.

That eventually led to her job at the women's shelter. She's "house mother" during the day and does the same job at night at a transitional program in Bealeton.

Rendon had been driving an old clunker that had problems, but at least got her to work each day.

Then, in mid-October, Rendon had surgery to put stents in her arteries for increased blood flow. She was driving herself home the next afternoon when she apparently passed out and flipped the car.

She totaled the vehicle and had no money to replace it.

As Rendon recovered, her co-workers wondered how they could help her and get her back to the job she loves.

Stephanie Horii, the council's support services coordinator, was getting dressed one morning when she heard about a special giveaway. This holiday, Easterns Automotive Group is working with Fox 5 Morning News in Washington to award new cars to eight people in need.

Horii brought up the idea at a staff meeting and asked those interested to write letters on Rendon's behalf.

"The staff agreed it was worth a shot but I don't think anyone knew that this could actually be a possibility," Horii said.

Less than a month later, Fox 5 called the council to arrange a surprise visit with Rendon.

When the Fox reporter told Rendon she'd won a 2008 Hyundai Accent, Rendon started crying.

Judy Rendon got a 2008 Hyundai Accent, worth about $15,000. The two-door hatchback is black with a gray interior. Easterns Hyundai of Leesburg will provide free oil changes on the car for 200,000 miles. "I feel like a queen," said Rendon, who kept the big red bow attached to the hood of the car. This is the seventh year Easterns Automotive Group in Reston has given free cars to needy people. This year, the group--which has a dealership in Fredericksburg--will award eight 2008 Hyundais to area people. Nominations are submitted online, then sent, without any names or geographic information attached, to students at several metro-area high schools. Students narrow the list to 10, then officials at Fox 5 Morning News pick winners. Judy Rendon, who works at a Fred- ericksburg area women's shelter, is the only Virginia resident to win a car so far. The giveaway ends this week.

Date published: 12/19/2007

Most recent reader comments: