CARSTAR Forest Home Auto Body has donated a 2009 Dodge Caravan to the Veterans Employment Alliance (VEA) as part of the National Auto Body Council’s (NABC) Recycled Rides program.
Erie Insurance provided the van, and restoration was handled by Marty and Debbie Zabel, owners of CARSTAR Forest Home Auto Body in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Their son did all of the paint work. The VEA will use the van to shuttle veterans to and from work.
“We would like to thank all of those that participated in the donation of the van to the VEA center on behalf of veterans and families in crisis,” said Ken Davis, director of the Veterans Employment Alliance. “Again, many thanks on behalf of our brothers and sisters preserving freedom in America.”
The van was given away in front of thousands of people at the Hiller Ford 6th Annual MACC Charity Fund Car Show on Sept. 13.
“It was meant to be,” said Debbie Zabel, owner of CARSTAR Forest Home. “It turned out to be such a tremendous blessing for the recipients. There were thousands of people there. They allowed us to use the PA system, so the van was given away in front of everyone.”
The VEA is a nationwide workforce readiness, research, development and mentoring network that matches veterans with hiring managers from some of the largest corporations for the purpose of finding a career and not just a job. Transitioning from the military to the civilian sector can be difficult, but the VEA is dedicated to helping veterans develop the valuable relationships, key skills and action plans needed for success in private enterprise.
