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Wlaf1450Redemptive Automotive presents at Rotary
A NOTE FROM THE GRAND ON CENTRAL: “There is so much good going on in our community, and I want to share all this good with you every Monday here on WLAF in hopes that you will start your week in a grand way making each week a Grand Week,” said Olivia Lobertini, owner of The Grand on Central.
By Charlotte Underwood
LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- Mark Weaver with White’s Tire and Auto Care guest spoke at Tuesday’s Campbell County Rotary Club luncheon about the nonprofit he has started called Redemptive Automotive Ministries.
Weaver is from Knoxville and has been in Campbell County at White’s Tire for 10 years where he is the managing partner.
He talked about Redemptive Automotive, which is the nonprofit that was started last fall and officially received its 501c3 designation in February.
Redemptive Automotive Ministries “restores donated vehicles and provides reliable transportation to individuals striving for a second chance at life.”
“We provide reliable transportation for individuals in need to help people overcome challenges and get back on their feet,” Weaver said. He invited members of the Rotary Club to partner with the nonprofit and asked them to spread the word to help it grow.
Weaver explained that in rural East Tennessee and Campbell County, having a reliable form of transportation is what makes or breaks someone’s ability to hold down a steady job and provide income for them and their families.
“Redemptive Automotive exists because reliable transportation is a must have for individuals, that car is their lifeline, their security. I started out turning wrenches and God has blessed me,” Weaver said. After being a technician for 20 years, he said it had been on his heart and his mind to find a way to give back.
The program was launched last fall, with the first gift of a car to a Bridges to Recovery Program graduate.
“We had some vehicles that people just didn’t want to fix and we ended up acquiring them and rather than just fix them and sell them, we wanted to give back to the community that has provided us with a place to work and wages for our families; we just wanted to give back and pay it forward,” Weaver said.
He said it was something that God had led him to do.
“It thought, what if I could help and change the trajectory of someone who needs it like a single parent who is one car repair away from losing their job and one job loss away from losing their home. They need to see that people see them and care about them right here in their own community,” Weaver said, explaining that for some people “a car is not a want, it’s an invisible barrier.”
“We are trying to remove that barrier. We take donated vehicles that people are not going to repair and we fix them. Chance White was kind enough to donate the space, and I donate my time,” Weaver said. People are identified and nominated through community partners. Their application then goes before the non-profit board of directors.
“You can see God at work because he had this idea and God has moved to make this happen,” said Rotarian Cyndi Russell.
The non-profit has also partnered with Good Year Tires and Good Year is going to donate a free set of tires for every vehicle, according to Weaver.
“I want to use my skills to be the hands and feet of Jesus. As of today, we have given away two vehicles. There is no overhead, no salaries, just a give back to people who are trying to get back on their feet and deserve a chance. These vehicles are fixed and restored properly so they are safe. When you hand someone a vehicle that looks good and runs good, you are telling them they are worth helping. Their dignity is what matters. This community is ready to get behind something that is real, something that touches our neighbors,” Weaver said.
He said “the vision” for the nonprofit was going to extend beyond giving cars away and that the hope was to start a training program for men coming out of addiction and trying to get back on their feet.
“We want to provide genuine community support; we are building the foundation of Redemptive Automotive one family, one car at a time. We want to give people that are fighting for stability a leg up,” Weaver said.
He asked Rotary members to remember Redemptive Automotive if someone in their network has a car to donate.
The donation page is live on Facebook under Redemptive Automotive Ministries, and Weaver can be found at White’s Tire. The nonprofit will accept donations of running and non-running vehicles. Anyone wanting to nominate a person to receive a vehicle can do so by contacting Weaver at White’s Tire & Auto Care by calling 423.562.8453 or texting 865.394.2629. You can also donate via Venmo: @redemptiveautomotive.
“Help turn a car into a second chance.”
A NOTE FROM THE GRAND ON CENTRAL: “There is so much good going on in our community, and I want to share all this good with you every Monday here on WLAF in hopes that you will start your week in a grand way making each week a Grand Week,” said Olivia Lobertini, owner of The Grand on Central.
For bookings, email Olivia Lobertini at ohlobertini03@gmail.com. Check on avails HERE. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-04/27/2026-6AM)