THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Gang Free, Inc. in Henderson, NC is one of four finalists in the Mercedes-Benz Vans’ “Small Business, Big Impact” contest. The winning organization will receive a new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter passenger van valued at approximately $35,000.

Voting is ongoing through 12:59 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2020, and is available online at https://www.inc.com/mbvans/contest.html (click here). Also visit the link to see a short video from Gang Free, Inc. Founder Melissa Elliott and to view official contest rules.

“Please share and prepare to vote for Gang Free, Inc.,” Elliott implored the community in a recent email. “Gang Free has made tremendous strides throughout the pandemic and has kept a steady momentum with fighting food insecurities, housing homeless people and getting the community tested for COVID-19.”

In addition to Gang Free, Inc., contest finalists include Downtown Boxing Gym in Detroit, Michigan, Beeze Tees Screen Printing in Keene, New Hampshire and WHO DAT Barbershop in New Orleans, Louisiana.

A winner is expected to be announced at approximately 8 p.m. on October 23.

“That Mercedes Sprinter would be a blessing from God,” said Elliott. “We would be able to make sure that people are eating, to make sure people are being tested [for COVID]. We would be able to reach out to the most vulnerable populations in our community.”