There are 20 new car owners in the Atlanta area today thanks to rapper Ludacris, who gave away the vehicles to winners of an essay contest strictly for folks struggling or unable to buy cars needed to get to and from work or find jobs.

"People are getting laid off, and now are looking for jobs," said Ludacris, 31, according to the Associated Press. "To be efficient, you need some transportation of your own to get there. That's why I wanted to give back to those who need it."

About 4,000 contestants submitted a 300-word essay to the rapper's foundation, explaining why they deserved a car. A particular story that touched Ludacris was from Mading Duor, who described how he moved to the U.S. six years ago after his mother, father, and five brothers and sisters were killed in Sudan. The man also wrote that a son was killed by a drunken driver in Atlanta a few years back.     

"His story touched my heart," Ludacris said. "He's endured so much in his life and he's still here standing. I'm very proud to have helped him."     

Duor, 33, has been able to keep a steady job at a school, but each day he felt stressed about how he was going to get to work. No longer. "I'm so happy, that I'm nervous," said Duor, who won a Nissan Maxima. "When I look at my new car, I say to myself, 'Is this really happening?'"

Ludacris partnered with a suburban Atlanta dealership for Sunday's giveaway. Each of the used vehicles included free gas for 30 days, and winners were responsible for tags, registration, tax and insurance.

www.eurweb.com