LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – A Lubbock auto shop spent more than a month completing $3,000 worth of repairs on a customer’s car — and charged her nothing.
Reliable Automotive Services selected Adriana Marquez as the latest recipient of its “Pay It Forward” program, which provides free vehicle repairs to a person in need each month.
Marquez said the help came at one of her lowest points.
“I thought, this is it. I lost my job and then my car messed up… you know, I really just thought that was it. I’m forever grateful. Forever grateful for Lee,” Marquez said.
Timothy “Lee” Alderman, owner of Reliable Automotive Services, said the program is rooted in his own history with hardship.
Timothy “Lee” Alderman, owner of Reliable Automotive Services, said the program is rooted in his own history with hardship.(KCBD Video)
“I struggled with drug addiction most of my life. I got clean, found God, changed my life. I wanted to stay close to my roots and give back, I believe everyone deserves a second change,” Alderman said.
The Alderman family moved from Utah in January and set up shop off of University Avenue, south of 114th Street.
Alderman says he feels connected to the Lubbock spirit of giving and community.
His company only hires ex-convicts, recovering addicts, and others he believes deserve a second chance. Alderman says his full staff is made up of people working to improve their lives.
“One thing I’ve learned since I’ve been to Lubbock is everybody’s been great. Everybody’s been nice. The people out here, they care about each other. And I love that,” Alderman said.
The Pay It Forward program launched a couple of months ago. A previous recipient was a sober living house, which received free repairs on their van.
Alderman said a committee reviews cases and selects recipients. Marquez was chosen after walking through the door.
Marquez said she went without a car for more than a month while the repairs were completed.
“I can’t wait to get in my own car and go to the grocery store by myself and get my own groceries. Like, it’s just been hard. Really, really hard,” Marquez said.
Alderman said the emotional weight of the program stays with him.
“I get a little choked up myself because it’s close to me. No matter how hard life seems, no matter how low somebody gets, everybody can change…everybody can make a difference… I had help. I had a lot of help. We got to extend that out to everybody else. And that’s what we do,” Alderman said.
Alderman said the shop welcomes volunteers and donations to keep the Pay It Forward movement going. You can find more information on how to help, or nominate someone for the monthly gift, here.
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