Through a Partnership with Ames Ford Lincoln, Families Are Gaining the Keys to Independence
June 2025
Emma was juggling a lot between working night shifts and bringing her daughter to newborn appointments. Without her own car, she often had to ask for rides from family or friends or find another way around town. Now, searching for consistent transportation can be crossed off her list. After applying and being approved for the Wheels for Work program, Emma got the keys to a 2005 Mercury Sable earlier this month. Emma’s reaction said it all —relief, gratitude, and excitement shining through as Nick Johnson of Ames Ford reflects on the unforgettable moment.
Removing Roadblocks
Many people in Story County face transportation barriers, making other needs, such as food, a steady income, and childcare, less accessible. While Ames offers several forms of public transportation, many needs still go unmet—especially for those with specific work schedules and for residents of other Story County communities where options are far more limited. However, since beginning the Wheels for Work program, more than 80 families have been able to achieve long-lasting independence by having their own vehicle.
It didn’t take long after arriving in Ames for Johnson to realize that Wheels for Work could offer real, lasting impact in Story County. “We had seen the impact that it had in Webster County, heard the stories about changing people's lives, and knew there was likely a need here as well. After communicating with the team at United Way, they indicated that there was [a need] but there wasn’t really a way to address that, so it felt like a good fit.”
Miles of Impact
Dozens of success stories have happened since Ames Ford and United Way of Story County brought Wheels to Work to the community. Johnson shares another: “We recently heard a story about an individual who received a car, and their son wanted to be in band, but the bus didn’t get to school in time for band practice. I spoke with her about six months after they received the car and she was over the moon that she could take her kid to band practice before school, that he was really excelling, finding his way, and meeting new friends. Her kid was happier.”
For over a decade, Ames Ford’s unwavering generosity has helped drive meaningful change in our community- a partnership United Way of Story County is proud of celebrate and continue. “United Way’s impact on Ames and the Story County community is just so broad and immense. [The] many different things in our community that need to be addressed, they are tackling head-on. We are super proud to be a partner of United Way of Story County and look forward to continuing to work with them,” Johnson adds.
He believes Wheels for Work is creating “freedom for a lot of people to be out in the community, to go to the store, to get to work on time, or not have to rely on someone else for transportation.” Emma’s car and over 100 other Wheels for Work vehicles have been donated by community members. Anyone interested in making a tax-deductible car donation can contact Nick or Casey Johnson at Ames Ford at (515) 233-1913.