A Chilliwack mom, who's known for her volunteer work in the community and her homemade bannock, can now make deliveries for her business and transport her kids in a reliable vehicle after winning a holiday car giveaway.

Julie Piechotta, a single mom of three, was the recipient of the 21st annual Christmas Car Giveaway where she was handed the keys to a 2011 Toyota Sienna on Tuesday, Dec. 17.

Her old van, a 2004 Pontiac Montana, is falling apart, has a big dent in the side, and is leaking oil.

"Everything's just hanging on by a thread right now," she said.

But all of her vehicle troubles were gone as soon as she stepped inside Valley Toyota, walked through the showroom, and into another area where the new-to-her van sat sparkling clean with a giant red, festive bow on the windshield.

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she stood in awe.

(NOTE: Surprise happens around 14-minute mark of video.)

"I feel like a millionaire having a Toyota, because Toyotas are so reliable, and it's exactly what I want for me and the kids," she said choking up.

Of the 40 nomination letters that came in for the giveaway, eight were in support of Piechotta.

"She spends a lot of her time volunteering and using her van for volunteering and helping people in the community, even though she doesn't really have a whole lot," said Niels Larsen, sales manager at Valley Toyota. "Without transportation, she can't get her kids to where they need to go and she can't provide for her family."

How the giveaway works is community members nominate deserving individuals by submitting letters detailing why the person should be chosen. The submissions are then reviewed by a selection committee. The Christmas Car Giveaway is put on by Valley Toyota, Fix Auto and other sponsors every year. Piechotta also received a year of free insurance from Hub International.

"We've been struggling for years, and trying to get stable and on our feet, and this helps do this for us," Piechotta said. "It helps financially so much. I can move on with my life. I drive my kids everywhere鈥� we do everything together."

She's known as the "bannock lady" and owns a small business called The Bannock Stand. With the new van, she'll be able to do bannock deliveries and bring her kids to the markets where they help sell things as well.

"We're like our own little business booth. I encourage them to stay active in the community."

Piechotta helps out at Tydel Foods where she feeds seniors, and this year she's buying gifts for a 13-year-old girl to ensure the teen has a merry Christmas.

Brittany Merasty was one of many who nominated her.

鈥淚t would give her the chance to grow exponentially with her business,鈥� she wrote.

Merasty added that the new van would give Piechotta and her kids the opportunity to go on a long-awaited trip "to their Indigenous band called Lax Kw鈥檃laams in Prince Rupert, and save up and go across Canada trying different versions of bannock.鈥�

Piechotta said her kids are "going to go nuts" when they see the van.

"Thank you so much," Piechotta said wiping tears from her eyes.