Two needy students, two new modes of transportation. Brittany Williams, an Academic Transfer student at Southeast Community College, became the second SCC student in two months to receive a vehicle through a partnership between the College and St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Lincoln.

Williams, who is 21 years-old was presented the keys to a Chevrolet Cavalier October 9th during a brief ceremony on SCC’s Lincoln Campus.

Rhiannon Volk, a Business Administration student, was presented a 1992 Pontiac Grand Prix in August.

The October 9th donation was part of a program St. Mark’s created four years ago titled “Transportation for Humanity.” Since its inception, the church has received occasional donations of vehicles that are suitable for repair. The vehicles are fixed and then given free of charge to people in the community who have demonstrated a need for reliable transportation but cannot afford it. Larry Haughton, a 1964 graduate of SCC’s auto body program in Milford and a member of St. Mark’s, presented Williams with the keys and title.

Brad Swiggart, a financial representative with Northwestern Mutual Insurance and a member of St. Mark’s, was instrumental in starting “Transportation for Humanity” and keeping it going.
“I’m a real car guy,” Swiggart said. “We acquire suitable transportation from just about any means we can get it. Then we try to match the car up with needy people.”

SCC students are among several beneficiaries of the program, Swiggart said. Other recipients of vehicles include People’s City Mission, Friendship Home and Fresh Start.

“It’s a great program,” Swiggart said. “We’ve given vehicles to some international students at SCC. You talk about people who appreciate something. There are so many needy people who are deserving of these cars. It makes a huge difference in their lives.”