At a Dec. 2 event, a handful of Sunnyslope business owners gathered at 3A Automotive to present a refurbished vehicle to Cleo Lewis, a longtime community advocate who, through his faith-based nonprofit, supports area families and veterans experiencing homelessness or dealing with drug addiction (photo by Kathryn M. Miller).
On a bright morning in early December, a handful of Sunnyslope business owners gathered at 3A Automotive on Hatcher Road. The purpose? To give back to one of their own: Cleo Lewis of Cleo N. Lewis Ministries.
The call had gone out: “[Lewis] is a true gem and driving force for service in our community, leading with faith, compassion, and a heart for second chances,” a community letter read. “Through his faith-based nonprofit, Cleo has dedicated years to serving first responders, veterans, and families in need. Cleo has worked tirelessly for many years – often at his own expense – to improve the lives of those around us.”
Lewis had invested endless hours of service in Sunnyslope, improving the community in ways that cannot be measured in dollars, the letter said, and an opportunity to give back was at hand.
His current vehicle, which was restored and donated by 3A Automotive in 2023, had served him faithfully, but needed a new engine, and it was simply not worth the expense to repair it. To ensure his continued work, Jimmy and Nadine Alauria, owners of 3A Automotive, launched a community effort to raise $3,000 to purchase and restore another dependable vehicle.
Giving back to the community through refurbished vehicles is nothing new for the 3A team – they have been doing it since 2008. In 2018, they launched a new community nomination process and have since given vehicles to two Sunnyslope school teachers, a homeless youth coordinator, and a neighborhood association/block watch leader. But this time was a little different, says Nadine Alauria, who, beyond being a business owner, serves in a leadership role in theHUB (Hatcher Urban Businesses) and the West Sunnyslope Neighborhood Association Block Watch.
“What he does is beyond amazing and he definitely operates on a higher level of purpose and passion,” Alauria said. “We’re honored to be a small part of that and bring our Hatcher businesses together to help make this happen for Cleo. He literally is saving lives every day – whether helping a mom and kids who’ve been living in a park or in a parking lot in their vehicle or getting people into a rehab or a hotel for the night and then connecting them with services the next day.
“Cleo is the main resource, nights and weekends. The city of Phoenix and resource partners call on Cleo when everything else is closed. A lot of us call on him – we’re just so thankful and honored to know him and have him as a friend. He’s a real-life angel here on earth and a hero.”
Community advocate Cleo Lewis was excited to try out a newly refurbished vehicle, which he will put to work helping the Sunnyslope community (photo by Kathryn M. Miller).
The other business owners gathered that day were equally full of appreciation for the work that Lewis does in the community. And while some had never met him personally, they didn’t hesitate to contribute funds to the cause. Donors in attendance at the low-key gathering included Robin Peterman and Greg Barton with Arizona Fire Features, Kim Preach Abberton with Preach Building Supply, Derek Rogers with Aqua Therapy Tubs and Jason Boysel with Symmetry Construction. Other donors included Brian Fabig with Econolite and Marcia Veidmark with SSC Underground.
The community support was heartwarming for Lewis, and he will jump right back into serving the neighborhood with the vehicle.
“What I’m going to do is a continuation of what I have been doing,” Lewis said. “I store a lot of stuff – extra water and supplies – and people do a lot of riding, and I need a comfortable vehicle to do that and to win somebody’s trust. This vehicle is durable; I can cover a lot of area. I already feel that I can increase my effectiveness. I am already imagining that I can carry four more cases of water – I can reach 23 or 24 more people every day and continue making contacts with people. So, I am just ecstatic.”
He added, “It shows another thing: You do a lot of work and it’s very tiring and sometimes you think you are all by yourself, but this community is so awesome – I am not by myself in what I do. They are alongside me in many things and this support is tangible.
“These businesspeople…we have changed this community with their support. They represent every type and part of our community, and it inspires me to watch them, and for them to contribute their resources to something that I do.”
3A says that it hopes to do another nomination/car giveaway in 2026. Learn more about the business and look for an announcement at www.3aautorepair.com. Learn more about the work that Lewis does by visiting www.cleonlewisministries.com.
