A new car repair shop in Richland plans not only to fix vehicles and get them back on the road but to do so as a nonprofit organization.

"Our mission will be to help make reliable transportation affordable for people who might be struggling financially," Terra Albinger, co-founder and director of operations for Community Auto, said Friday at an open house for the shop.

Community Auto will follow a business plan established by Hal Colston of the Good News Garage in Burlington, Vt. The business accepts donated vehicles, fixes them and then sells them to people in need.

Good News Garage has grown to four locations and has a waiting list of 300 people at any given time.

Likewise, Community Auto will complete repairs in-house, have the cars inspected at a licensed repair shop or dealer and sell them for below retail value.

Customers may be receiving public assistance or referred by a social service agency. Most need transportation to and from jobs.

But a car means much more to many people, said Albinger, of Butler. "It can help get kids to school and day care or help families care for elderly relatives. This just makes people self-sufficient. It helps promote responsible behavior."

As director of production, Randy Murchak, who founded the business with Albinger, will supervise the shop and do much of the repair work. He is working on the shop's first vehicle, a '91 Buick Regal, with two volunteers, his brother, Richard Murchak, of Shaler, and Chuck Robison, of Hampton.

Their first customer is a single parent who works more than one job and needs transportation.

While the purchase price is indeed good news, Albinger said this is no free lunch. "Customers must be financially responsible. There is no credit. And they must pay for insurance and any transfer fees. They pay all operating costs."

Albinger and Randy Murchak expect that the sale of the vehicles eventually will generate enough money so that they can make a living off of the enterprise. They are applying for foundation grants to pay for items such as tools and possible renovations to the building, which is owned by Richard Murchak.

Community Auto joins a growing number of enterprises operating under a new banner of "social entrepreneurship." These nonprofits earn a portion of their income from sales of products or services, rather than relying solely on corporate or foundation grants. Albinger and Randy Murchak have experience running outreach programs. They met while working at The Lighthouse in Richland and also worked together at Hosanna Industries. "The Lighthouse has a small auto program. We talked with the pastor there about taking it and turning it into a business," Albinger said.

"Vehicles donated are fully deductible. You can deduct the blue book value on your taxes," Murchak said.

Murchak, of Richland, said he expects donations will come from a variety of sources. "Some people are generous; they just like to do good. Or, some people realize they're not getting much for trade-in value.

"Other times, a family is not planning to replace a car. Perhaps it belonged to an older person who can't drive anymore. Or kids leave home and parents are left with an extra car around. They don't want to take the time to advertise and show it," Murchak said.

Community Auto is on Route 910 just east of Route 8 in Richland. For information, call 724-443-8300.