Mike's Auto Body in Antioch gives away cars during annual event

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Many people gathered Wednesday for an annual give-away event in Antioch where previously totaled and restored cars are given to people in need.

The event is put on by Mike's Auto Body, along with auto insurance companies, repair shops, and parts houses.

On Wednesday, they handed out their 59 set of keys over the last 15 years. "It puts them in a position where they can go to work, get their kids to school," Mike Rose said.

Rose's employees volunteer their labor, then each year they vote from a long list of applicants. "Just being able to help someone who really needs the help," technician Judy Willliams said.

For example, people like Nicole Cantu and her husband, Justin, support four kids by working four jobs often by force of will.

Nicole said she gets to work by taking public transportation and bicycles.

But in the 15 years of covering this event, ABC7 News has never met a recipient like Cami Veramontes.

In 1998, her then-husband held off police SWAT teams for almost two days before taking his own life, and those of their two young daughters.

Since then, Veramontes has traveled a long, windy, sometimes dark road.

But she's like an enabling beam of light. Never give up on anything because miracles happen every day," Veramontes said.