Big O Tires in Cheyenne awarded their annual "Driven for Moms" contest winner on Friday to Maria Baltadano.

Maria is the mother of three children, 13-year-old Talia, 11-year-old Tony and 7-year-old Tea. She works as a nurse at High Plains Surgery Center.

Baltadano was nominated for the award by her friend and co-worker Lindsay Rodriguez.

"My friend and co-worker Maria has three wonderful children. She has been a single mom since her youngest daughter was a baby. The children's father was not involved in their lives and passed away in December of 2015.

Maria has worked 1-3 jobs trying to support her family. On top of working she is very involved at her children's school. She is always volunteering to help out her fellow moms with anything they might need from pet sitting to carpooling and babysitting.

She works long days as a nurse but always makes sure she is at her kids activities and encourages them to be involved in sports, academics, dance and theater. She is very supportive of helping her children and those around her to follow their dreams.

Life has been very hard for her but she always laughing and smiling and has been a blessing to those around her. She is also a veteran of the United States Navy. She suffers from Lupus and a few other disabilities, but never lets it limit her in anyway.

Every day she is a joy and encouragement to those around her. A few months ago she needed some major repairs on her very run down car. She was able to scrape up the money to repair the car, but it still is not highway worthy.

Maria would be very blessed by a car that would be dependable and allow her to keep serving her family and friends in all the wonderful ways that she does.

Maria is a very selfless person. She never asks for anything for herself and is constantly giving to those around her with a joyful heart. Please consider her and her three children with a blessing of a car for Mother’s Day," Rodriquez wrote in her entry.

On Friday, Big O Tires held a ceremony honoring Baltadano, who was also given a used car and a year of free vehicle maintenance. She as also presented with a trunk load full of goodies and gift certificates to Julie's Career Closet. The car was refurbished by Big O Tires employees with help from Affordable Towing.

Congratulations to Maria and her family.

 

 

 

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