Kenny's Lakes Auto Experts deliver 500+ suitcases to charity for foster children

WALLED LAKE, MI - Kenny’s Lakes Area Auto Experts (Lakes Area Auto Experts) collected and delivered more than 500 suitcases to Foster Closet of Michigan’s Oakland county branch, Sunday, April 12. Foster Closet of Michigan, which provides clothing and other necessities to children in the state foster care system, will donate the suitcases to children in need.

Kenny Walters, owner and technician of Kenny’s Lakes Area Auto Experts, said he learned that in many cases, children in foster care transport their belongings from home to home in garbage bags. “It is stressful enough for these children as they transition into a new home without the added burden of having to move around without proper luggage,” said Walters. “Anything we can do to make it easier for them is important to us.”

Kenny’s Lakes Area Auto Expert began the collection drive March 16 and extended the original donation deadline from March 31 to April 10. Donors could drop off their gently used suitcases during business hours.

“The response was so great we extended it,” added Walters. “We had people dropping off suitcases and duffel bags all the way from Rochester Hills and Flint.”

The mountain of luggage was transported to Foster Closet’s Farmington Hills location during their open house. Foster families were able to shop (free of charge) for clothing, toys, luggage and other items. The Sunday afternoon event served 20 foster children and the remaining suitcases from the drive will benefit kids in Oakland and surrounding counties.

Michele Austin, Foster Closet of Michigan president, said the charity was formed to ease the burden on foster parents trying to provide for their foster children. “Instead of using the small stipend from the state for things like toys and suitcases, this allows parents to use more of it on educational and other needs,” said Austin. “We applaud Kenny’s Lake’s Auto Experts efforts that went above and beyond expectations. Our metro Detroit neighbors were extremely generous.”

Foster Closet of Michigan has locations in 13 counties and encourages youth to choose items themselves so they can express their personality and tastes.

Kenny’s Lakes Area Auto Experts, which was established in 2000 by Kenny Walters, is a family-friendly repair shop servicing all makes and models of vehicles. The auto repair facility is fully certified to service both foreign and domestic vehicles and is completely qualified to perform any vehicle service or maintenance while keeping factory warranties intact. It is the only AAA Approved Repair Facility in Walled Lake.

For 15 years, Kenny’s Lakes Area Automotive (formerly Mufflers & More) has been providing professional inspections, repairs, and preventative maintenance services to all makes and models of vehicles, including foreign vehicles. The full service auto repair shop is located at 490 North Pontiac Trail, Walled Lake, Mich, (248) 668-1200. Visit online at www.LakesAreaAuto.com, Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Lakesareaauto or on Twitter @LakesAreaAuto.