While it might be hard to imagine an auto mechanic being tickled pink, Keith Katz insists that he is.

Katz said he's glad that 14 of the 20 local NAPA auto centers in York County agreed to each donate $500 in free auto repair services for people who deserve the help.

"I'm tickled pink, especially with this being the first time we've done something like this," said Katz, owner of Quality Service Center in West Manchester Township. "We got more than half our centers to participate, and I'm tickled pink, myself, about that, too."

The 14 NAPA auto centers are accepting nominations from the public to find 14 people who deserve the free repairs, Katz said.

Deserving vehicle owners could be single parents, people with spouses in the military or those who have lost their jobs, he said.

A low-income status is not necessary for nominees to be considered for the free repairs, Katz said.

"And you don't have to be one of our customers," he said.

Deadline: The nomination deadline is Friday, Nov. 2. The nominations can be dropped off at any of the 14 participating NAPA auto centers. Nomination forms are available online at www.yorkautocaregroup.com.

The NAPA centers will contact the nominees chosen for the free repairs. The winners will receive $500 free car repair certificates from the centers that chose them.

A NAPA lunch will be held for the 14 free car repair winners, their families and nominators on Saturday, Nov. 17, at Jim's Auto Repair in North York, Katz said.

"We just want to meet the people and hear their stories," he said. "It's all about building relationships with the community. Everybody loves food, so (the lunch) is just natural to do."

The idea to do the free car repair came from NAPA headquarters in Atlanta, Katz said.

"We're always trying to find ways to give back to the community," he said. "A lot of people are struggling, and we know that. The economy is giving us issues."

--Reach Eyana Adah McMillan at emcmillan@yorkdispatch.com.