Custom Collision collecting essays in second car giveaway

For the second year in a row, Custom Collision Repair in Havre will be giving away a rehabilitated vehicle to an individual or family in need of transportation.

Chris Preputin, owner of Custom Collision Repair on 1st Street Northeast, will award a tan 2003 Chrysler Concorde to the winner of an essay contest.

Entrants must say in their essay why they or someone they know should receive the vehicle.

The car was on display at last week's Great Northern Fair and at Custom Collision Monday. Preputin said that, to give the contest greater exposure, he is looking to display the vehicle in parking lots of several downtown businesses.

When the vehicle was donated last year by Wayne and Karla Bolken, the right side of the car had extensive damage, Preputin said.

The front and rear doors on the right side both had to be replaced. Preputin said he and his employees paid out $4,931.50 to make sure that the car is 'mechanically and visually sound."

Preputin said he and his employees began rehabilitating the car in January.

"Everybody in the shop worked on it a little," he said.

Preputin said people can enter themselves or someone they know to win the vehicle by submitting an essay which will then be reviewed by a three members of the Havre community. Preputin said Lorna Kirkpatrick has agreed to read through submitted essays. The other two have yet to be chosen.

Forms needed to enter the contest can be picked up or received at Custom Collision.

The winner will be revealed during Custom Collision's Customer Appreciation Day after the Havre Festival Day's parade Sept 17.

He said that, as of Friday, 20 essays have been turned in.

When Custom Collision began the giveaway last year, a total of 65 essays were turned in for the chance to win a renovated red 2003 Dodge caravan. Shad Huston, a friend of Preputin, also donated a Cadillac Coup deVille to be given to a second contestant.

Preputin said he started the contest as a way to give back to the Havre community, which he said has supported his business throughout the years.

Last year's contest garnered immense support from those in Havre. Preputin said he had hoped to get more sponsors for the effort, which would allow him to give away more vehicles.

"I hope eventually this grows to be able to include several cars from within the community from several different businesses every year," he said.