Annette Morales, a single mom in Southeast Georgia, recently took her 2010 GMC Terrain to Royalty Auto Service in St. Marys for a second opinion after being told it needed a new engine. The shop owner and his team discovered that while the SUV had some serious issues like bad wheel bearings, worn tires, and a rattling timing chain, it didn’t need an engine replacement. They also learned that the warranty Annette had bought wouldn’t cover the repairs.
Rather than send her away, the Royalty Auto Service crew replaced the unsafe parts to keep her and her daughters safe. Wanting to do more, they launched a crowdfund to help her get reliable transportation. Donations poured in within hours.
More than $165-thousand has been raised so far, enough for a new car and to help Annette with securing stable housing. What began as one mechanic protecting a struggling mother turned into a wave of generosity, giving Annette and her daughters a chance at a fresh start.