‘Uplift’ starts the engine on its first car giveaway

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someone in need when brainstorming ways to give back to the community. Given that Chappelle’s Towing specializes in the literal act of lifting cars, it only made sense to Senchilo they “uplift” a member of the community. 

It’s a slogan she hopes will catch on in coming years. Senchilo said that they plan to continue doing the Uplift car giveaway each year going forward, and she encourages people of the community to nominate someone in need of a car. 

This year, roughly 30 people were nominated. 

The inaugural big giveaway was kicked off with a barbecue and a giveaway of other items such as notepads, pens, key chains and teddy bears. 

By Jonathan Haukaas

jonathan@thereflector.com 

Celia Wilbur, 26, of Battle Ground, fought back tears last Friday afternoon as she was handed the keys to her new car. In front of around 50 people, including Wilbur’s friends and family, Elite Collision & Auto Spa and Chappelle’s Towing gifted Wilbur a 2007 Ford Taurus at Elite’s shop on West Main Street in Battle Ground. 

Polina Senchilo, who does marketing for Chappelle, came up with the idea to give a car to someone in need when brainstorming ways to give back to the community. Given that Chappelle’s Towing specializes in the literal act of lifting cars, it only made sense to Senchilo they “uplift” a member of the community. 



It’s a slogan she hopes will catch on in coming years. Senchilo said that they plan to continue doing the Uplift car giveaway each year going forward, and she encourages people of the community to nominate someone in need of a car. 

This year, roughly 30 people were nominated. 

The inaugural big giveaway was kicked off with a barbecue and a giveaway of other items such as notepads, pens, key chains and teddy bears. 

Of the 30 people nominated for a car, Senchilo said that Wilbur, who got her license in June, was chosen because they could see her motivation to build a better life for her son and family. Senchilo explained that in today’s world, for many, being “without wheels is being without legs” and that they know Wilbur will put the car to good use. 

This is the first car Wilbur has ever owned and she is grateful to finally have a means of transportation outside of public transit and catching rides with friends and family. She looks forward to the simple conveniences provided by a car, such as driving to work and picking up groceries.

But her son, 6-year-old Connor, has bigger plans. When asked what plans he has for the car, he exclaimed, “We’re going to Arizona!”