WORCESTER, Mass. - Katherine Doyle describes her first spin in her new car as "awesome" and "nerve-wracking." 

She is now the proud owner of a 2006 Chevy Impala.

Good News Garage is a non-profit organization in the business of fixing up donated cars. They partner with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Center to give those cars to deserving people like Doyle. To get a car, you must be a MRC member, employed or working towards getting a job. 

"It helps them keep a job. It helps them do the things that we take for granted. Maybe just getting to the grocery store after a long day at work, even if you have access to a bus," Cash Cranson, GNG's director of operations, said. "It just simplifies life so much. I think that's awesome."

Even before she was handed the keys, Doyle said it was hard to contain her excitement. 

"Even when I woke up this morning, I was like 'Why did I get up so early?'," Doyle said. "'Oh wait a minute, I'm going to get a car today.' It is very exciting and a lot of things are going to change." 

What You Need To Know

  • Katherine Doyle was gifted a free car from Good News Garage
  • Doyle hasn't owned a car since 1999 and has been getting around by walking, public transportation or rides from friends
  • She gave up driving over health concerns in 1999, but is in a better place and working at a local family shelter
  • GNG is a non-profit organization in the business of fixing up donating cars and gifting them to deserving people like Doyle

Doyle gave up driving because of health reasons and has been getting around by walking, public transportation and rides from friends. 

"I'm on new meds. I have a job now," Doyle said. "Things are just moving forward so fast."

Looking back on the last 23 years she has spent without a car, she said it almost caused her to miss important events like her uncle's funeral. 

"I didn't know how I was going to get there," she said. "I mean, this is your uncle. but you might not get there."

Now, she can get anywhere she wants all by herself. Doyle said she plans to pick up more hours at the family shelter she works at. 

"I love helping people," she said. "I plan to pay this forward in many ways."

Her new freedom is going to take a little getting used it. She said it will make simple tasks like grocery shopping not as complicated. "I was like 'Wait a minute, I'm going to have a car today,'" Doyle said. "I can go to the store and get it myself."

Doyle said there's just one thing she needs to learn. In all her years as a passenger, it's never something she needed to worry about until now.

"How do I get home from here?," she joked.

​Good News Garage donates 150 to 200 cars each year to residents in New England.