Gilmore Hero Foundation believes that the first step in changing these individuals’ lives is having a vehicle. Allowing them to go to and from employment, doctors appointments and other necessary destinations.Â
GHF is dedicated to assisting veterans to repair their existing vehicle or to obtain a vehicle for them. We help with the necessary work on the vehicle to ensure that it passes smog and is safe for road travel. We make sure all registration paperwork is completed, provide the first-year payment on insurance, and assist the veteran search for a job or other needs after receiving the vehicle.
GHF works with several veterans’ groups and law enforcement agencies to help find these veterans in need.Â
As a 501c3 nonprofit, your donations are tax deductible and we will provide a receipt at bluebook value.Â
Trailers and motor-homes in good condition are also accepted.
If you are in need of help or know someone who is, please email us at [email protected] or call us at 530-620-5143Â
Donate an Auto, Trailer, or RV (street worthy, needing minor repairs)
Donate Funds (One time, monthly, quarterly, annually)
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Please read some of our success stories below.
Greetings and salutations Chris, from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you and the Gilmore Hero Foundation for the Ford f150 truck. This truck is going to make my life easier and less stressful. Now I can get to my doctor appointments down at Mather VA without worrying about how I’m going to get a ride. I can go to the grocery store and get the groceries and essentials I need. The most important thing this truck will do is make it easier to visit my daughter and granddaughter.
I can’t be more blessed and thankful for what you have done to get me a vehicle. USMC simper fi!!!!!!!
Sincerely,
Andrew Fernandez
Please help us to continue changing these Veterans lives by going to our website and donating. We are also in need of running vehicles.
We are a registered 501c3 and can provide receipts for all donations. Thank you.
Thank you to Eagle Radiator and Muffler, VRST and District Church for helping us change this Veterans life.
Thank you to Gilmore Hero Foundation. You came to my aid when I needed it most.
This last year it has been a rough one including getting evicted from my home while I was starting my second round of chemo.
I lost my vehicle when my parked 2018 Toyota was hit by a hit and run driver. The county helped me find a place to move into and since then I’ve had to get rides to my VA appointments from many different places including Ubers and taxis. It was becoming very expensive to get around that way.
March 1, I had my last treatment of chemo.
I am so happy that I picked up the brochure for the Gilmore Hero Foundation. I sent an email and in less than a week, I received an email saying they had a car for me. Chris delivered the car on Monday, a 2002 Kia Spectra with 67,000 miles, interior clean and looks new, no body damage, runs well, new battery, new tires —just in time to start back on chemo.
Thank You Gilmore Hero Foundation from the bottom of my heart!
This car is just what I needed!
Dave McGee
Thank you to Wes Mitchell for this donation.
To the Gilmore Hero Foundation,
My name is Amelee Johnson, I served in the Army from 2008 to 2011.
I was a food service and stocking specialist. I worked 19-to-20-hour days stocking training and prepping food and supply items and was awarded a pin for service and support during Afghanistan peace missions. I received an honorable discharge at the end of 2011.
I have a child who was born several months later who is now 10 years old.
In the past several years I have worked as a housecleaner and care assistant in assisted living facilities. I would like to use this vehicle donation to launch our new program on Facebook.
This last winter my car broke down and the cost to fix it was  beyond my means since I could no longer get to work without transportation.Â
Due to the weather conditions in South Lake Tahoe, our trailer was deemed unsuitable by the county. We are now living in a transitional shelter in Pollock Pines hoping to get back on our feet. My daughter and I have been riding our bikes to school and the grocery store. The vehicle you donated to us means a great deal, we are now able to stay out of the cold weather and I can look for a job. We now have the option of living in the vehicle if we cannot find a place to live by summer. What your organization does for Veterans is invaluable. This is going to change our lives and we are so thankful that we were lucky to have encountered such an amazing group of people who care about people like me.
Thank you for all the work you do in the Veteran community,
Sincerely,
Amelee Johnson and Maya
My name is Anthony Santiago. I’m a 35-year-old, five and a half year disabled Army veteran. I have a 5-year-old, a 14-month-old, and now a one-week-old. All precious baby boys. I’m currently collecting disability and I take care of myself, my boys, and my disabled grandfather.
I do DoorDash deliveries to supplement my disability. I’ve had two major back surgeries and need to have a few more. We have been renting a car from Enterprise for over a year for about $1600-2000 a month depending on the rental and time of year. We have been trying to buy a car but cannot get approval because I was an idiot with my credit.
Renee, my case manager told me to reach out to you for assistance. If someone needs the help more, by all means help them first. I can continue to work hard and eventually I will get it taken care of; I always do! Either way, thank you for your time listening to my story.
I’d like to take this time and give you my sincere thanks. I am so grateful that you and your organization were able to help me with a beautiful, beautiful car. When you came to me, I was living in my car – it had broken down and you came in like angels delivering this vehicle to me where I was. I couldn’t have moved a mile without you.
Your assistance has, in its own way, led to my getting a permanent, amazing apartment that I would not have been able to secure without physically going to Sacramento multiple times. You probably don’t have any idea how instrumental you folks have been with helping me on my path to achieve sustainability and independence. The Gilmore Foundation has made a huge difference in my life.
I am now safe. I am now stable. Jake and I have a lovely home and a most reliable and beautiful way to get to the dog park every day.
All of you at the foundation are my heroes!
Always Grateful,
Jessie Wagster
I would like to thank you for coming to my aid when I thought that all hope was lost. I was referred to you by another veteran’s organization that said you were able to make things happen where some other groups might not be able to.
As a disabled veteran it’s been a challenging year for me. You folks provided me with warm clothes, a heater, and Home Depot gift card to help fix my trailer this winter. Helping me with money to buy my daughters Christmas presents was way more than I could ever hope for. This car you were able to give me will help me move into a new place to live and provide much needed transportation for getting my life back on track.
It all started with your generosity. Thank you so much and please continue helping veterans that are in need.
Justin Tucker
U.S. Army veteran
I just wanted to shoot Chris and the folks at the Gilmore Hero Foundation a really big thank you for helping my dad get a car so that he can get around and maintain some of his independence. It means the world to him, and it helps us not only to get to VA appointments, but it also gives dad a big sense of ownership and pride to be able to go out and detail the car, put his touches on it and tinker with it.Â
My dad is a disabled Army Vet. My husband and I moved him to California with us in Aug of 2021. He was previously in Michigan, as he has family there, but suffered an arm injury that left him needing day-to-day help. After spending some time in the Midwest to get him to a healthy travel state, we packed up and came back to sunny California where the standard of healthcare is much higher. He gets AMAZING care from the VA at Mather, and we love living here, but adding another human and dog to our family made it necessary to move out of the metro area and into the foothills.Â
We all know that living in California is expensive and how rough it is on a fixed income, so we really can’t thank you enough for taking on the cost of finding and providing a car to Dad. It’s an overwhelming amount of help while we’re in the midst of overwhelming change and we are truly, deeply grateful for the security and peace of mind you’ve provided for our family. We don’t have the words to properly express how much we appreciate you all!Â
Respectfully,
Quintana Galvan
I wanted to thank you for coming to my aid in a time of need. I cannot thank you enough. You have helped me fight this uphill battle of going back-and-forth from Lake Tahoe to Porterville to pick my son up every other week. This has put so much stress on not only me, but my livelihood and going to court and paying court fees while trying to focus on school. This is because I want to be in my son’s life. This is a fight I never saw coming. I wanted to say thank you for paying for my tires, as well as some of my court fees for the upcoming custody battle.  I would also like to thank you for assisting me with my dental fees, I am grateful and if there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know.
God Bless.Â
CJ Kieth
U.S. Army 3rd Squadron
89th Calvary 10th min Division 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
I would like to take this moment to personally thank your wonderful foundation and board of directors for approving my request for automotive repair assistance.Â
Having my car receive new brake pads and rotors tremendously aided during my hardship in these tough economic times. This will significantly help me continue to move forward in my night jobs as an Uber Eats and Instacart shopper/driver.
I would also like to thank you for helping me pay my vehicle registration, which was a tremendous weight off my shoulders. Once again, you saved me when I was in a bind.
I am especially thankful that the Gilmore Hero Foundation reaches out to First Responders and Veterans in El Dorado County and beyond. Humbly, I join the list of recipients who have been fortunate enough to receive this magnificent help.Â
With Much Gratitude,
Robert Curry
U.S. Navy Veteran
I’d like to thank Chris and his staff at The Gilmore Hero Foundation for my new car.
Thank you for caring for veterans that have no vehicle and getting us back on the road again. Now I don’t have to be a hermit any longer and I can get to all of my appointments.
Having a social life is very important as well as getting to and from work. You Rock Gilmore Hero Foundation!!
Spec 4 Vince Aleo US ARMY!!
First, let me start off by saying thank you to your organization and you. The things you guys do is life changing for veterans such as myself. With that being said I also want to send a sincere thank you to your donors and really all that is involved in the process of making veterans in need feel more human and granting them the opportunity to feel some semblance of independence.
Organizations such as yours so much without batting an eye or question just because, it seems to me, you feel the need to give to those that gave. For that, again, I want to say thank you.
I just want to share how much this gift has and will continue to impact my family and me. It will allow us to feel independent. No more asking for rides or borrowing vehicles. No more walking out kids to and from school. My wife can actually go to her in office days without worrying if she will be able to make it. Miniscule tasks such as grocery shopping or warrior events can now be done with ease. I can now help both my sons to practice driving before going off to college. I honestly feel more human and independent, something I struggle with daily. I’m not saying this is a cure, but it definitely helps in the right way.
With that said you have a battle buddy for life. I hope that someday I can pay it forward and follow your example on how a human should be. Your kindness and compassion for your fellow veteran is something to be admired and commended. I sincerely wish the best for your organization, and everyone involved, now and in future endeavors. Thank you for throwing out a lifeline to my family and me when no one else would.
Sincerely,
Timothy McRorey
We want to thank you for providing our family with a van. Not only did you provide us with a second vehicle, but you provided our family with endless opportunities. Most importantly, we can all go together as a family for outings, there are six of us and a dog and could not fit in my five-seater car.
We can’t express how grateful we are. You did not just provide our family with a vehicle, but with the ability to get our kids to medical appointments and to and from school, while the other of us are at work. Also now able to seek out PTSD treatment and therapy (that is long overdue after serving our country) and have a way to get there.
Our kids are able to be comfortable and car rides are more enjoyable now. We are forever grateful to everyone who came together in our community to make this miracle happen for our family.
Thank You from The McCormick Family!!
Jarrell, Jessica, Annalynn, Alexavier, Kaia and Jarrell JR
I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the generous donation of a vehicle to me through your organization. Your support is truly life-changing, and I feel blessed to have been selected to receive this gift.
I am so thankful to have benefited from your kindness. This vehicle will make a significant difference in my daily life, and I will always be grateful for your support.
Once again, thank you for your generosity and support. I am honored to have been selected as a recipient of your kindness.
Sincerely,
Christopher Perez
