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Teen wins new car in The Shop giveaway

News Photo by Darby Hinkley Victoria Foco, 16, pictured in center, receives the keys to her very own car on Friday, donated by The Shop Auto and Truck Repair in Alpena. She was selected from a pool of applicants who were nominated by friends or family members. Pictured on the left is Geno Dohm, manager of The Shop, and on the right is Mike Newberry, owner.

ALPENA –“Surprised,” was the reaction Victoria Foco had on Friday afternoon when she was given the keys to her very own car.

The car, a 2001 Pontiac Sunfire, has been restored to good condition and donated by The Shop Auto and Truck Repair in Alpena.

“It came in here with some problems, and it was in surprisingly good shape, so we decided to put the parts into it, get it up and running, and then we were gonna give it away to someone who needs it,” said Mike Newberry, shop owner.

Foco’s mother, Jill Foco, nominated her for the car by sending in a letter.

“The prosecutor picked them out, and we ended up picking her,” Newberry said.

Prosecutor Ed Black went through about 25 letters, which were submitted to The News and given to him for final selection, based on need.

“We went through a rough time last year because of some stuff that I did, and I wasn’t able to buy her a new car like I did for her sister,” Jill Foco said, as she and her daughter both wiped tears from their eyes.

Victoria Foco will now be driving her own car to school and work.

“She kept her grades up,” Jill Foco. “She didn’t let what happened affect her negatively. She was understanding.”

The Focos live in Alpena.

“I wasn’t in a position, and I’m still not in a position to buy her a nice car,” Jill Foco added. “She’s grateful. She doesn’t complain. So that’s why I nominated her.”

Newberry said his shop has donated a few cars over the years, but that they are best known for donating bicycles to kids in need.

“We’ve given away over 500 to 600 bikes to foster kids,” Newberry said. “Just, basically, I like doing it. This is what makes it worth it. And if we can get another car donated, we’ll keep doing it.”

He said anyone who has a decent car that might need some maintenance or minor fixes can get a tax write-off for donating it.

To contact The Shop, call 989-340-2233.

Darby Hinkley can be reached at 989-354-3111 or dhinkley@thealpenanews.com

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