Phoenix, AZ - Wheels to Work, a donated vehicle program sponsored by the Department of Economic Security (DES), received the Governor's Spirit of Excellence Award on December 12, 2000, in ceremonies at the Orpheum Theatre.

Made possible by House Bill 2620 in 1998, Wheels to Work provides reliable transportation to qualified participants of the state's Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program. The vehicle donors receive a state income tax credit of $1,500 for each donated car or truck. TANF participants lease the refurbished vehicles for $20 a month for one year, after which they own the car.

To date, 363 recipients are driving vehicles as a result of the program, allowing them to get and keep jobs. Many are young mothers who had had to take their children to day care on the bus, and continue on public transportation to their jobs; others were women who could not get work at all due to lack of transportation.

"Wheels to Work has been a godsend to me and my family," said Antoinette Kelly, an apartment leasing manager. "Now my son and I can go to the zoo, and to buy groceries, and I can drive him to child care on my way to work."

Gov. Jane Hull presented the award to DES officials, Goodwill Arizona, and Michael Bolchalk Marketing. Goodwill administers the program for DES, and Bolchalk Marketing handles its marketing, public relations and advertising.

Goodwill Arizona Wheels to Work was one of four DES programs singled out for the Spirit of Excellence award. There were two recognition award winners.