MONROE — It was a crisp, sunny day in early December when Carolina Bartosik stood in the parking lot of Hesgard Collision Center to receive a car.

“It’s so nice,” she said, as the 2005 Ford Taurus was revealed. 

“I have a pretty good feeling you’re going to do well with it,” collision center owner Rod Hesgard said to her. 

When Hesgard was looking to donate a car to someone in need, he was pointed to Monroe resident Carolina Bartosik. She didn’t even have her driver’s license yet, but Kelly Damron in Green County Human Services knew the 19-year-old was the right person. 

“She would take care of it and she’d appreciate it,” Damron said, calling Bartosik thankful, independent and responsible. The two have known each other since Bartosik was in her early teens. 

Bartosik heard about getting the car in August, so she said she made a commitment to obtaining her license. Dave Chugg, husband of Damron’s coworker Tracey Chugg, works at the DMV, and the couple took Bartosik out for lessons on Sundays. She also watched YouTube videos in preparation.

Bartosik said she was “pretty comfortable” driving, since she grew up on a farm and drove tractors. But being next to people made her nervous, she said. 

“Everything sank in,” said Bartosik. “(When) I’m behind the wheel … I’m responsible.” 

She passed her driver’s license test in November. 

“It was actually his birthday,” said Bartosik of Chugg. “He got a little birthday certificate for good teaching skills.” 

Bartosik said she wouldn’t forget the difficulties from before having the car.

“Cold weather, hot weather — I walked everywhere,” she said. 

She also remembered taking cabs to appointments, and feeling bad for always being late. Bartosik said that when someone gives something away to someone who could never repay them, that they’re “living life at the fullest.”

“I could never repay them,” she said. 

Hesgard said it was “pretty emotional” to see Bartosik receive the car, a former loaner vehicle at the center.

“It makes you feel good to help somebody out,” Hesgard said. “People have been around me and helped me out.” 

Other local businesses chipped in to offset Bartosik’s maintenance costs — she was given oil changes from Dearth Motors and Don’s Towing & Automotive, a gift certificate to Kundert Auto, a rotation, balance and alignment from Pomp’s Tire and a gas gift card from Lanz & McArdle. 

Hesgard said he was proud of Monroe and hoped that other people would find ways to give. 

“It doesn’t have to be a car,” he said. “It can be simple things.”