My name is Liane, and I’m reaching out because I recently experienced something I never expected—my car caught fire as I was pulling into work. I bought this used VW Bug in September 2025, hoping it would be a reliable way to get to my job and take care of my kids. As I arrived at work one morning, the car suddenly burst into flames. I called 911 right away and tried to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher from the parking garage, but I ended up with smoke inhalation and had to miss two days of work to recover. I am extremely thankful that the car caught on fire after I pulled into work and not on the freeway or, even worse, with my kids in the car.

Since losing my car, daily life has become a real struggle. My husband and I only have one other vehicle, which he needs for work, picking up the kids, and running errands—especially since I work 12-hour shifts. Sometimes he has to get up two hours early just to drop me off, which makes mornings tough for our kids and has even caused them to be late for school. Every other weekend, I need to travel to pick up one of my kids for parenting time, and I have to borrow vehicles because my husband’s truck costs too much in gas for the long drive. We’ve been through a lot—last April, we had to move unexpectedly, and it’s been a tough road ever since. We just need some help to get back on our feet.

I’m not looking for a brand new car—just something safe and dependable so I can get back on my feet. I’ve even taken a second job to try to help, but the stress of juggling two jobs without reliable transportation has taken a toll on my health, my family, and my peace of mind. Any support you can give, whether it’s a donation or simply sharing my story, would mean the world to me and my kids. Thank you so much for reading and for any help you can offer.