11-12-2026 5:01am

10 Lives Changed

Ten Maryland veterans received vehicles Monday through a partnership between Heritage MileOne Autogroup and nonprofit Vehicles for Change. The fifth annual event was held at Heritage Toyota Owings Mills.

In 1999, Vehicles for Change was founded on a simple but powerful idea. Access to a reliable car can transform a person’s life. For many families, a lack of transportation is one of the biggest barriers to employment and long term financial stability. Without a car, getting to work, taking children to school, or accessing essential services becomes a daily challenge. Public transportation often is not enough, especially for those working multiple jobs, nontraditional hours, or living outside major transit routes. Vehicles for Change exists to remove that barrier.

State Senator Shelly Hettleman said: "

It was such a pleasure to attend yesterday's 5th annual Vehicles for Change and Mile One Auto car giveaway to a veteran in need. I was honored to present car keys to Gregory who served in the U.S. Army and is looking forward to using his new car to drive to the grocery store to shop for his family."

Vehicles for Change is such an incredible asset in our community, training incarcerated individuals to repair cars, giving them skills to use on the outside where they are then eligible for well-paying jobs.

VFC is launching a new program to train youth in juvenile detention facilities (and others) auto repair skills using virtual reality. Mile One is a family owned business in Owings Mills that gives away thousands of car seats each year and trains drivers on the dangers of texting/drinking while driving, in addition to repairing these vehicles for its annual giveaway near Veterans Day. Many thanks to everyone involved!