Video: Caledonia Car Dealer Gives Away Car to Essay Contest Winner

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CALEDONIA, Miss. (WCBI) – A heart-warming story about paying it forward.

Allen Jones graduated from Caledonia High School in 1969. He’s now the owner of Allen Jones Used Cars in Caledonia. Jones says he knows what it’s like being without a car. So for the last seven years, he’s been giving away a free car to a local student in need.

Eligible seniors at Caledonia High write an essay describing why they would be the best choice to receive a car. Students must be college-bound, have at least a 2.0 gpa, and leadership skills. Jones says he chose Christian Gray because he was motivated and simply wants to help his family.

“Out of the essays we got, Christian’s was by far the best. He had a very good, humble attitude and was very thankful for the opportunity to even write the essay and get a chance to get a car,” says Jones.

“I talked a lot about how I’m going to go about the things I’m going to do in college. How I’m going to reach my goals and how the car will help me do that,” says Gray.

Gray will receive the title to his car after he graduates from college. He’ll be attending EMCC in Scooba.