CAMDEN COUNTY, Ga. – A Georgia auto service shop raised more than $160,000 to surprise a single mother after she brought her car in for repairs and later found out she had been struggling financially.
Royalty Auto Service owner Sherwood Cooke said Annette Morales came to the shop seeking a second opinion on her 2010 GMC Terrain after being told by another shop that the engine needed replacing.
Cooke said they inspected and drove the vehicle, discovering serious issues including extremely loud front wheel bearings — the worst he has seen in 44 years — along with other engine problems.
“This vehicle is falling apart,” he recalled.
Morales, a single mother of two daughters, said she bought the used car last October and began having problems about a week later. She took the vehicle to several shops but did not get clear answers about the issues until she went to Royalty Auto Service. She also said she did not have the money to cover repairs.
“I was scared to know what was wrong with the vehicle because we don’t have the funds to fix stuff,” Morales said.
Cooke said the wheel bearings were so bad the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The shop replaced the bearings and put on new tires to make it safe. Then, after learning more about Morales’ situation, Cooke and his team decided to do more to help Morales.
“We see a lot of people in need, but something about Annette just struck me,” Cooke said. “I told my son, ‘We’re going to do something for her.’”
They started a GoFundMe fundraiser to raise money for Morales’ car and other needs.
The fundraiser raised an overwhelming $160,000. Cooke said Morales received the funds on Tuesday, marking a life-changing moment for her and her family.
Press play below to watch the heartwarming video of Cooke surprising Morales
Cooke said Royalty Auto Service will help Morales use the money to buy a reliable, newer vehicle and help her family set up a better financial future.
Morales said she was overwhelmed when she learned the repairs would be covered at no cost.
“I just started crying on the phone,” she said. “That’s the transportation for me and my kids.”
“This was just thousands of people who said, ‘We want to help.’ That’s the power of what social media should be,” Cooke said.
Royalty Auto Service has a huge social media following, with 351,000 followers on Instagram, 957,000 on TikTok and 307,000 on YouTube.
Morales said she feels blessed and grateful for the help.
“I feel like this was just by the grace of God, like an answer to prayer,” she said.