At Mission Auto Repair, we don’t just look at our work as repairing vehicles; we see it as serving people. That’s why, for the last several years, we have proudly been a supporter of the Bright Futures Backpack Program. This local organization, which equips area students with more than just pencils and notebooks, provides them with a little more dignity, stability, and a big dose of knowing that somebody cares. Because for us, that’s what community is all about.
What Is Bright Futures?
Bright Futures is more than a school supply drive. It is a year-round organization that, with the help of the community, provides backpacks full of items such as notebooks, pencils, food, hygiene products, and seasonally-appropriate clothing for students who are in need because their families have difficulty providing these necessities.
The backpacks are packed and delivered discreetly through the schools so that students do not feel singled out or stigmatized. They simply receive the backpacks, which are filled with care, respect, and understanding.
And that’s why this organization means so much to us.
Why It Matters to Mission Auto Repair
We have been a supporter of Bright Futures for several years now, and each year it means a little bit more to us.
Because when you get past the backpack and all of the tangible things that it represents, there is a story.
- A fifth grader who had been cutting her lunch in half at school so that she could save some for her family, because there was nothing in the refrigerator to eat at home.
- A middle school student who had to walk to school in the rain without a jacket.
- A student who couldn’t concentrate in class because they were worried about what would happen when they got home that night.
Bright Futures changes those stories. It does it quietly and with great respect, but it changes those stories by providing for those students’ most basic needs in the most dignified manner possible.
That’s why we don’t just support Bright Futures; we are devoted to it.
We set aside space in our shop for the backpacks and supplies each August. We ask our team to pitch in, we ask our customers to help, and we get to be part of something bigger than ourselves.
Why It’s Personal For Us
We are parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and neighbors, and we have had our own kids, grandkids, and nieces and nephews get out of the car at the start of the school year and cross the schoolyard toward their classroom. We have waited in the car and hoped that they had a full belly, a sturdy pair of shoes, a jacket, a confidence in themselves, and a knowledge that they had what they needed to start the year strong.
Our staff members know that confidence at the start of the year can make all the difference in the world to students’ success, so it hits home for us when we see those same kids in the neighborhood, at soccer games, or in church, because those kids are our community.
And it is our community that gathers up a full trunk of backpacks to deliver to the Bright Futures distribution center each year. It is we, our team, and our customers who make a physical, tangible difference in the lives of these children and their families.
So it is personal.
How You Can Get Involved
We love that our customers and community support our causes throughout the year, and this year is no exception:
1. Drop Off Donations
Drop new backpacks, school supplies (pencils, crayons, notebooks, folders), or hygiene products off at our shop during business hours, and we will take care of the rest.
2. Book Service & Give Back
Schedule service or maintenance with us, and we’ll donate on your behalf as part of our effort. It’s car care that does double duty for Winchester area students.
3. Spread the Word
Tell a friend, share our posts, or mention Bright Futures to someone who might be interested in getting involved. Every share means more reach and more impact.
4. Bring the Family
Want to get your kids involved? Bring them with you to our shop and let them help you pick out a backpack to drop off. It’s a great way to teach your kids compassion, empathy, and the importance of giving back.
It’s About More Than School Supplies
We know that this is about so much more than pencils, notebooks, and backpacks. It’s about helping kids show up at the start of the school year with their heads held high. It’s about relieving even a tiny bit of stress for parents and families who are doing the best they can, sometimes with very little. And it’s about showing up not only as a business but as a neighbor.
We are proud to support Bright Futures, and we are even prouder to know that we have a Mission Auto Repair community that shows up year after year to make it happen.
You Don’t Have to Be a Teacher to Shape the School Year.
Sometimes it starts in the garage.
Sometimes it starts with a box of crayons.
Sometimes it starts with you.
Thank you for being part of a shop and a community that cares.
Stop by. Drop off. Schedule a service. Let’s give these kids the strong start that they deserve.
Mission Auto Repair
Community-Focused. Family-Driven. Always on a Mission.