2025 Oktoberfest Event Recap

On Thursday, October 30th, GIVING WoMN members and guests gathered at Arbeiter Brewing Company to hear about the transformational impact our grant had on keeping us all safer on the roads from The Lift Garage's founder, Cathy Heying. Oktoberfest is a new event that aimed to bridge networking with fellow attendees and learning about the positive impact we collectively fostered at a local nonprofit through our grant. 

Founded in 2013, The Lift Garage is the only low-cost repair shop in Minnesota, and one of the only ones in the country.  Located in South Minneapolis, The Lift handled more than 1,700 appointments last year serving over 1,000 customers. For The Lift's customers, their car is more than just a vehicle – it’s their lifeline. Many are at the head of their household and rely on their cars to run errands, maintain their mental health, and get their family members to work, school, and medical appointments to keep their lives running smoothly. The need for affordable car repair in our community is overwhelming.  At The Lift, customers are charged around 30% of the market rate. This translates to customers paying on average $375 for car repairs vs a $1,250 bill down the street. These savings for the customers are only possible because of the generosity of individuals and organizations like GIVING WoMN. 

GIVING WoMN played a key role in ensuring The Lift's customers can focus on supporting their families and keeping their routines stable, rather than worrying about whether their car can get them where they need to go safely.