(KAIR)--The holiday spirit was alive and well Saturday in Hiawatha, as a local auto dealership played Santa for area residents in need.

Hiawatha Ford did that in the way of gifting four cars to four individuals whose names were provided to the business as being in need of vehicles for the new year.

Essays of support were written for area residents needing transportation, with the original goal being to award one vehicle through a review of a selection panel.

However, dealership representative Julie Camblin told MSC News narrowing down the selection proved difficult, leading to the decision to award all four vehicles. “Our surrounding communities have been so supportive to us throughout the years, and this was our way of giving back. This would not be possible without the support of our communities. It was a very difficult decision for our panel, e couldn’t decide upon just one recipient. There’s a lot of need throughout all of our communities, so we ended up doing four instead of one.”

The vehicles were given away Saturday during Hiawatha Ford’s Christmas event.

Selected to receive a 2015 Ford Escape was Hiawatha resident Melissa Meyers, while

Kyle Juhl, from the Doniphan County community of Blair was awarded a 2014 Ford Focus. Amy DePrey Keim was gifted a 2015 Ford Focus, while Frank Parker received a 2008 Chevy Suburban.

Hiawatha Ford was assisted with the Christmas car donation through the support of the Brown County Humane Society, the Troy Christian Church, and Kaden’s Kloset.