There’s no such thing as a free lunch, economists say. But for the Flathead’s Jesse Mahugh, there may be such a thing as a free car.

Well, almost free: He had to pay $1 before he could drive it away.

Mahugh is the recipient of a blue 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt, courtesy of Loren’s Auto Repair in Kalispell. He’s the first lucky winner of the “Wheels to Thrive” program.

Travis Sallee, one of the co-owners of Loren’s Auto Repair, said the donation came in the aftermath of the car being totaled.

“A young mother and her daughter owned the car and she drove it over a curb, damaging the subframe and tearing off the oil pan,” he said. “We did about $6,000 worth of repairs, replaced the engine and are going to be providing free maintenance for two years. It is, essentially, a free car for Jesse.”

Wheels to Thrive is a community-based campaign where people could nominate deserving members of the community to get the car. Not only was the Chevy fixed up from its wreck, but routine maintenance was performed and Loren’s Auto Repair gave it some new tires.

According to Sallee, 122 people were nominated for the car. He and his parents — Loren and Denise, who started the business 29 years ago — selected several they thought rose above the rest and presented them to the Flathead Business Group, a board of community and business leaders.

“We all looked through nominations to see if they could maintain the car, how deserving they were, if they showed demonstrable need and had charitable contributions,” he said. “For a guy like Jesse, this is going to allow him to continue the good work he already does.”

This group unanimously selected Mahugh, a two-time brain cancer survivor and tireless volunteer for organizations such as Adopt an Elder and previously Habitat for Humanity.

Mahugh, an even-keeled man, was humble in his response.

“It was definitely a surprise for me,” he said. “I’m grateful and appreciative. My car had fallen apart on me, so this was perfect timing.”

Mahugh now works for Advanced Roofing. He said 15 separate people nominated him for the vehicle.

In a special ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 23, Mahugh was presented with the keys to the cheapest car he’ll ever buy.

“I was a little nervous at the event, I wasn’t sure I was actually getting the car,” he said. “It was so nice to meet the people who were involved. I’m very grateful. We live in a great community.”

While Mahugh was the first recipient of a car from Wheels to Thrive, Sallee said he is far from the last.

“We’ve been in business for 29 years and this is our way of giving back to the community,” he said. “There’s an awful lot of need out there, and this should help.”

To nominate a worthy person for the next Wheels to Thrive giveaway, go to www.WheelstoThrive.com or contact Loren’s Auto Repair at 755-7757. 

Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.