Houston family receives early Christmas gift of a lifetime

BAYTOWN, Texas - A Houston family has received the gift of a lifetime. They were given what most people pay thousands of dollars for: their own SUV.

For this perfect present, Mr. And Mrs. Claus are actually Mr. and Mrs. Bates, owners of Bates Collision Centers, and the elves are played by a group of warmhearted mechanics who all came together to give a super sweet gift, and they put a big bow on it.

"I'm so grateful. I'm very excited. I'm happy I was awarded the (Bates Collision Centers) Responsible Parenting Award," Quantasia Williams says with a smile shortly after ripping the wrapping paper off her car, a beautiful, shiny white Buick SUV.  Williams lost her vehicle in a hit-and-run back in October 2024.

"That was rough. Many times Malaysia, my 3-year-old daughter was late getting to school. That was stressful," she says.

Lee and Leila Bates have been giving away a couple of vehicles a year for decades. "This is our 26th year, and this is car number 47 yesterday, and 48 today," the Bates explained.

"This is the best way in the world to start a holiday. Every single year, the Bates Collision company comes together and gives two cars," adds James Colbert, Superintendent of Harris County Department of Education, which has 16 Head Start programs across Houston. The Bates choose their winners from the Head Start program.

"Now I have transportation to get back and forth to school and take Malaysia wherever she needs to go. I work in the medical field. I'm a Phlebotomist," Williams explains.  

"Transportation can be life-changing, and it can be life-limiting. This is going to open so many doors for her. We fix cars here for a living every day. It gives us an opportunity to do it for a good cause. One of our core values is to do the right thing for the right reason," says Mr. and Mrs. Bates.

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"I wasn't expecting all the gifts and the trunk to be filled. I was so excited. I was in shock. I'm so grateful. My daughter got a bike," Williams smiles.

Local high school baseball players actually donate gifts for the families receiving the vehicles every year.

"I know many families that didn't get a car, me being one, that didn't get a car until late in life," says Colbert.

"I couldn't go to church like I wanted to because I didn't have a vehicle. Now we can go every Sunday again," says Williams.

"That's where my kids' memories were made and my parents. We all went to church together and that's huge. If we can give somebody a car and let them go to church. I feel like we've done what we're supposed to do," says Mr. Bates.

Auto insurance is also covered for six months.

"This is the best Christmas gift ever. Thank you. I'm very grateful. I'm very appreciative," smiles Williams.

Perhaps kindness is contagious. Mr. and Mrs. Bates hope they will inspire you to be a blessing to someone this holiday season.