By Kylie Brown

Dave Syverson Auto Center gave away a van to an area family Friday morning.

Residents Justin Bleything and Tralana Carlson were surprised and teary-eyed when they found out they and their three children were receiving a Chrysler Town and Country van.

“It will help me get my military disability as well as my state disability, which I’ve been working on for years now,” said Bleything, who has been in the military since 2001.

He said it will also help him see his three other children who he hasn’t seen in a year because he hasn’t been able to drive to see them where they live.

The staff at Dave Syverson wanted to give back to the community by giving away the van.

“As a business in Albert Lea, we think it is important to give back to our community that supports you,” said Travis Stortroen with the dealership. “This was one thing that we felt we could do to help out a local family in need that didn’t have a means of transportation.”

The family was picked by community group AZ-One.