Wheels of Hope gives car to mother of 3 at Grizzlies game

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A lucky mom was handed the keys to a car Monday night at the Fresno Grizzlies Game.

Essence Chatmon had been without a car for about a year and half after her previous car broke down. Her own mother entered the single mom of three into the "Wheels Of Hope" contest. The Fresno select group chose Chatmon to receive a 2008 Chrysler Town and Country van.

The member shops of the group purchased, repaired and inspected the van. All costs associated with the purchase, repair, and DMV transfer have been taken care of.

Chatmon says the gift was a surprise -- but she did have an idea something was going on. "The only thing that kind of gave it away was my older sister -- she was like, 'Would you drive a mini-van'? And I'm like why do you keep asking me that? And she's like 'Would you drive a minivan? And I'm like, if it's given to me of course I would."

Wheels of Hope is a bi-annual event intended to provide a dependable vehicle to a family or individual struggling due to circumstances beyond their control.