Since 2024, a group of Lithia & Driveway stores in Spokane, Washington, have been donating quality, used vehicles to local families in need through its annual Lithia Community Driven Program. With each car giveaway, the program is creating positive, heartfelt outcomes for the deserving recipients and securing the stores’ reputation as valued, active community partners.
Getting the Idea Rolling
The program got its start when multi-store General Manager, Jim Baughman, was brainstorming ideas to increase his dealerships’ involvement in the community.
“I wanted to find a way to help families who needed a reliable car but couldn’t afford one easily,” said Baughman.
He then asked Erin Bowers, business manager at Lithia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Spokane, to form a Community Relations Committee and give life to his idea for a car-giveaway program. Bowers and the committee got to work quickly, giving the program its Community Driven title and outlining the nominating process to find deserving families.
As part of the program, the following dealerships take turns donating a reliable used vehicle throughout the year:
✓ BMW of Spokane
✓ Camp Chevrolet
✓ Lithia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (CDJR) of Spokane
✓ Subaru of Spokane
Accelerating Community-Driven Outcomes
There’s no doubt that the program is changing lives for the better and gaining traction within the community. In 2025, the Spokane stores gave away three vehicles with a total monetary value of over $47,000—in addition to including an extended warranty and a lifetime oil-change contract with each donated vehicle.
In 2025, the Community Driven Program gave a free vehicle to the following three families:
1. Quillin Family—2017 Dodge Journey
A single mother of three, Samantha lost her only means of transportation due to a car fire at her apartment building, leaving her without reliable transportation to commute to work and support her family.
2. Tucker Family—2017 Chrysler Pacifica
Two of the family’s three children have a terminal neurological disorder that requires ongoing, life-sustaining treatment every two weeks, which is located hundreds of miles away in Seattle. They were experiencing vehicle-reliability issues during these long road trips, creating a significant hardship for the family.
Watch this video of the Tucker family receiving their free vehicle:
3. Wylee Family—2019 Dodge Journey
After tragically losing their son, the parents struggled managing their grief while also caring for their two young daughters. Living outside of town, they relied on an older vehicle that they could not afford to repair or replace during this difficult time.
As part of the stores’ partnership and sponsorship with the Spokane Chiefs, they presented the Wylees with their new vehicle live at a Spokane Chiefs hockey game, offering support as they worked to rebuild their lives.
Gearing up for 2026
Baughman and Bowers plan on enhancing the Community Driven program by offering four total giveaways—one each quarter.
To ensure recipients receive vehicles in the best possible condition, the stores will be increasing the maximum vehicle value, allowing the program to offer newer and more reliable options.
Following the success of the December 2025 giveaway in partnership with the Spokane Chiefs hockey club, they will be actively exploring opportunities to host future giveaways in similar public settings to increase community engagement and program exposure.
