The gifts will give the veterans the freedom to travel to work, doctor appointments and elsewhere on their own schedules.
On Oct. 16, two deserving Oklahoma City, OK-area veterans were presented vehicles to provide them independence and the ability to work, thanks to the National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides program, along with GEICO, which donated the vehicles, and collision repair partners Gerber Collision & Glass in Norman and Oklahoma City. The presentation was held at Gerber's Oklahoma City location.
Nonprofit partners Phoenix Recovery Institute and Honoring America’s Warriors nominated the recipients.
Terrell Moody received a 2018 Chevy Cruze. Moody is a disabled U.S. Navy veteran facing multiple injuries, and his determination to overcome his challenges and rebuild his life have been nothing short of inspiring. Providing him with a reliable vehicle will be a crucial step toward helping him to achieve his personal and recovery goals, as his current lack of transportation poses significant obstacles in accessing essential resources and services.
With numerous doctors' appointments and physical therapy sessions each week, Moody relies on public transportation or other people to drive him, which has proven to be highly unreliable and limiting. Having a dependable vehicle will grant him the autonomy and freedom to attend appointments on his schedule. Beyond medical appointments, securing gainful employment is a top priority for Moody, as he seeks to rebuild his life and achieve financial independence.
Andre Parker received a 2019 Hyundai Kona. Parker is a U.S. Army combat veteran. He has worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs for more than 17 years and is currently a volunteer for the American Legion. He is married with four kids. Parker is working on completing service dog training for his dog Kilo. He travels 200 miles round trip a week for service dog training in an unreliable 2006 Acura with 325,000 miles. He does not have the income to replace this vehicle and a reliable vehicle would enable him to continue to work, volunteer and take care of his family.
“It’s a great honor to be able to partner with Gerber Collision & Glass and GEICO to provide these two deserving veterans with the gift of reliable transportation,” said Dale Ross, NABC Recycled Rides program manager.
NABC Recycled Rides is a unique program in which businesses representing all facets of the collision repair industry team up to repair and donate vehicles to individuals and families in need of reliable transportation. Since the inception of the program in 2007, members of the NABC have donated more than 3,200 vehicles valued at some $46 million.
Additional partners in the presentation included 1-800 Charity Cars and Enterprise.
