Every morning, Nichole Babbitt walks her three-year-old twins to the daycare down the street when it opens at 7 a.m. Then she calls a rideshare service to be at her office at the Texas Department of Transportation by 7:30 a.m. If she took the bus, she would be late every day.

When she has to go to the grocery store, she loads car seats and the twins into a rideshare vehicle. The Austin mom, who celebrated her first year of sobriety in November after 20 years of addiction, knows not having a car is just a bump in the road. But it’s $500 a month that she can’t afford.

Every evening, Nathan Davis takes a $60 ride from his mother-in-law’s house in Pflugerville to work at the airport, where he loads planes. Then, during the day, he takes college courses online while caring for his 16-month-old son, Nakari, who has a disorder that affects his vision, hearing and development. The family’s car was stolen in the spring and they had to leave their South Austin apartment after the air conditioning broke again.

William Daugherty, a teacher from Del Valle, uses transportation or, if available, a friend’s truck to get to work when he is healthy enough. The rides are expensive because he lives in Bee Cave. His non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma has returned for a fourth time, making daily classes difficult and requiring a vehicle to get to his treatment.

These are just three of the individuals highlighted in this year’s Austin American-Statesman Season for Caring program. Families are selected by local nonprofit organizations, who use donations to first help the featured families and then help hundreds of other families throughout the year.

This year, the families featured most often have a used car or car repair on their wish list. You either have to rely on expensive rideshare services or taxis, or beg friends or family for rides or use of a vehicle. Often the bus doesn’t just get you to your destination.

Season for Caring invites the community to help our families with reliable transportation. Donate a vehicle, donate car repairs, or purchase an Uber or Lyft gift card and send it to the agency. We also invite local car dealers to help Season for Caring agencies close a deal on a used car.

Last year, First Texas Honda helped the Breast Cancer Resource Center obtain a used vehicle for the Season for Caring recipient. It completely changed this family’s life.

Here are the families who need help with transportation:

Dexy Amador and Dennis Rodriguez: These parents from Honduras came to the United States to seek better medical care for their son, who suffered from seizures. They need a pickup for Rodriguez’s work. Foundation communities737-267-5738, Foundcom.org.

Nichole Babbitt: This single mother rebuilds her life after becoming homeless and sober. She needs a good used car and gift certificates for driving service. Homeless Foundation500 E. St. Johns Ave., Suite 2.400, Austin, TX 78752, 512-453-6570, Foundationhomeless.org.

Jasmine Campbell:This 21-year-old went from being a high school cheerleader to being in a wheelchair due to a neurological disorder. She needs repairs to her wheelchair accessible van. Austin Palliative Care512-397-3360, option 3, austinpalliativecare.org.

Thamairis Canales Yanez: This Venezuelan mother has breast cancer that has affected her brain. She wants to create stability for her 14-year-old daughter Ivanna. Your biggest need is a car with self-braking. Breast Cancer Resource Center, 512-524-2560, bcrc.org.

William Daugherty: The Del Valle middle school teacher’s car was impounded during his cancer treatments. He needs a used car and gift certificates for driving service. Community Action Inc. of Central Texas, 215 S. Reimer Ave., Suite 140, San Marcos, TX 78666, 512-392-1161, communityaction.com.

Kathia Gomez: This mother of three boys continues to struggle with the trauma of raising herself after her mother was deported when she was 12. She wants something better for her boys. She needs a used car. SECURE512-844-1392, safeaustin.org.

Ana Laura Martínez Aranda and Olga Aranda Guzmán: Ana and her mother Olga came to the United States from Mexico to escape violence. They were homeless and living in their car. You need car repairs. Hospice Austin512-342-4726, hospiceaustin.org.

Gina Lopez: This Georgetown mom has pancreatic cancer and can’t work during treatment. She and her family need help with car repairs. Wonders and worries512-329-5757, Wondersandworries.org.

Jalayah Patterson and Nathan Davis:You will need a used car and gift certificates for driving service. Every baby can6207 Sheridan Ave., Austin, TX 78723, 512-276-8199, anybabycan.org.

Carlos Vallejo Jr.:This Austin native lost his right arm and leg in a boating accident. He needs a more accessible vehicle. Meals on Wheels in Central Texas512-476-6325, eatingonwheelscentraltexas.org

About the season of caring

The Statesman will share the stories of all 12 Season for Caring families throughout the holiday season. For more stories and information, visit statesman.com/seasonforcaring.

All donations will be matched by the Sheth family up to $500,000 through Christmas Day. You can donate online or redeem the voucher Page 27A and mail it to Austin Community Foundation, c/o Statesman Season for Caring, 4315 Guadalupe St., Suite 300, Austin, TX 78751. Make checks payable to “Statesman Season for Caring.”

Use the form below or click here: https://statesmansfc.kimbia.com/statesmanseasonforcaring

This article originally appeared on the Austin American-Statesman: Statesman Season for Caring Families need used cars. How you can help.