An 18-year-old Mississippi woman who relied on family for rides to work was blindfolded by a family friend and surprised with a free car after a local repair business stepped in to help

An 18-year-old woman in Biloxi, Mississippi, was blindfolded before being surprised with a car she could use to get to work. A family friend who knew about her circumstances contacted Classic Collision for help. The collision repair business had previously given cars to people in need. Rylee Brown was taken to the location blindfolded and asked to trust the people guiding her. When she removed the blindfold, she found a vehicle waiting for her there. The surprise took place on Monday, February 16, and left Brown expressing excitement and gratitude as she received the car. According to WLOX, the gift was arranged through the efforts of a family friend and the collision repair business.How a family friend helped arrange the surpriseLara Alley, a family friend, knew Brown long before the surprise was arranged. She said, “I’ve known Rylee since before she was born. Her mom was one of my best friends. We were next-door neighbors for about 40 years.”After learning about Brown’s circumstances, Alley reached out to Classic Collision for help. The company had previously provided cars to people in need. Her outreach brought Brown’s situation to Classic Collision, whose regional director, James Steed, said, “When you get that call that touches your heart, you jump in and you help.”No further details were provided about how Alley and the business arranged the vehicle or how long the preparations took before Brown was brought to the location.How does the company respond to requests for helpJames Steed explained that the company steps in to help when it hears about someone’s circumstances. Classic Collision had given cars to people in need before Brown’s case. The vehicle’s model, age and value were not disclosed. It was also unclear whether the car had been donated by the business, one of its employees or another individual.Classic Collision was described as a local collision repair business, but no details were given about a formal programme behind its previous vehicle donations. Steed’s comments focused on the company’s willingness to step in when people asked for help.A blindfolded arrival ends with an unexpected giftBrown later recalled the moment she was led into the location blindfolded and surprised with the car.She said, “Basically, I just got brought here blindfolded, and then, they were like, ‘Here, just trust me. Walk with me.’ Then, all of a sudden, they are like, ‘Take it off,’ and BAM! There’s a car, and I’m like ‘What!’ I was kind of hoping for a car, and I’m so glad I got a car because I need one.”Her comments also reflected the practical importance of the gift as she had depended on family members for transport, including trips to and from work.How did Steed respond to Brown’s excitementBrown drove away in her new car with her father sitting beside her in the passenger seat.Steed said he was pleased by her response after receiving the car. He said, “Pure excitement, pure joy, and it’s good to see that kind of reaction out of people because they’re grateful for the blessings that we’re given day to day.”Brown had earlier said she was ecstatic about the gift and grateful to have a vehicle she needed.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.