Embrace Iowa helps grandmother replace tires to drive grandson to medical appointments
The last couple of years have been tough for Christine Maire. Her long-term partner died in May 2020, and she and her 11-year-old grandson – who she’s been raising since he was born – had to move into a smaller place.
As she was both grieving and dealing with the financial stress of moving, Maire realized the tires on her truck were going bald and she needed new ones. She and her grandson both have disabilities and travel frequently from their home in Independence to Iowa City for medical appointments. She knew she needed new tires to safely make the two-hour round trip, but she couldn’t afford them.
That’s when Embrace Iowa stepped in with a grant to cover about half the cost of her new tires.
The Embrace Iowa campaign — sponsored by the Ames Tribune, Burlington Hawk Eye, Des Moines Register and Iowa City Press-Citizen — helps Iowans with grants of up to $750 to pay for things that fall outside of standard assistance programs – like car repairs, beds, working appliances or medical expenses.
More: Donate to Embrace Iowa to help Iowans meet basic needs
“It was such a stressful time in my life,” Maire says. “Before my partner died, I didn’t really have to deal with finances and car repairs, and now I do.
“These Embrace Iowa grants really do help people in their time of need, and I appreciate the help so much.”
Embrace Iowa applicants apply through 16 local Community Action Agencies serving all 99 counties across the state. First-time applicants are given priority in the review process, and applicants must be at or below 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines.
How you can help
This holiday season, you can make a difference in the lives of your Iowa neighbors by helping Embrace Iowa raise $410,000 in the 2021 campaign.
You can donate to Embrace Iowa online at iowacommunityaction.org/about/donate. Or checks can be mailed to Embrace Iowa, P.O. Box 41608, Des Moines, IA 50311.
One-hundred percent of donations are used to help the applicants, not to pay staff or agency costs. Following your donation, a letter will be mailed for tax purposes.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Embrace Iowa helps grandmother replace tires to drive grandson
