NORWOOD - Kim wanted to be able to drive her 6-year-old child to doctors' appointments, and get to the grocery store in order to feed her family.

Rachel wanted a reliable way to travel out of town to a full-time job and take her two young daughters to school.

Now, these women, and many more victims of domestic violence, can do those things - and everything else the freedom of owning your own car allows.

Massachusetts First Lady Diane Patrick helped to present Kim, Rachel and 15 other women Saturday with free cars from area auto parts stores and centers at a ceremony held at Universal Technical Institute in Norwood.

"Having the power to take charge of your own life is really what is important," Patrick said. "And these cars are an example of that. I'm privileged to feel a part of that." Patrick handed keys and gave hugs to the women, who received the cars from the Bumper To Bumper program, which enlists car care centers to help refurbish donated cars for victims of domestic violence and sponsored the event.

Bumper To Bumper partnered with Allied Auto Parts Co. to put the giveaway together.

Ed Harding, the co-anchor at WCVB-TV NewsCenter 5, served as master of ceremonies. He remarked that Gov. Deval Patrick's can-do political attitude is something that relates to the notion of starting your life over.

"If I can influence you in anyway, it would be to take the word 'can't' out of your vocabulary," Harding said. "You can do anything. You can make it happen. Ladies, start your engine."

There were plenty of tears from the recipients, as well as great big smiles and appreciation. Four of the women are clients at New Hope in Attleboro.

New Hope Executive Director Kim Thomas raved about the event's success.

"It's been an unbelievable experience, and it's all coming together," Thomas said. "These women don't have cars, don't have anything really. It's very emotional, and we're really excited. This is what it's all about."

Michael Borr, president of Allied Auto Parts Co., said the importance of having your own car cannot be underestimated when it comes to breaking away from an abusive relationship, since obtaining freedom from abusers is the key to ending the domestic violence cycle.

"In America, the key to freedom very often lies in having a car," Borr said.

Bumper To Bumper hopes this year to present more than 500 cars nationwide to qualified recipients. The giveaway ceremony was held as part of an afternoon-long event, which included a classic car show, complete with an old-style police buggy, food, music and children's games.

Achin's Garage of North Attleboro is a Bumper to Bumper car center that refurbished one of the donated cars.

REBECCA KEISTER can be reached at 508-236-0336 or at rkeister@thesunchronicle.com.