From BodyShop Business

Three military veterans and two single parents were honored for their service to our country and for their commitment to family as each received keys to free cars donated as part of the National Auto Body Council’s (NABC) Recycled Rides program.

The five vehicles were unveiled during the two-day NACE | CARS Conference & Expo. Recycled Rides is a national program in which collision industry companies team up to repair and donate vehicles to individuals in need. The families were nominated by nonprofit charitable organizations in the southern California area. Since the inception of

Recycled Rides in 2007, more than 1,000 vehicles valued at more than $12 million have been donated across the country.

This year’s recipients include:

Travis Steele was an Army reservist living in Arizona and was called back last year to active duty in Ventura, California. With prohibitive California housing costs out of reach for the family, his wife and four children – and one due in September – stayed behind in Arizona. His old car recently broke down, with repairs costing more than the value of the car, now limiting Steele’s ability to visit his family. Nominated by Support The Enlisted Project (STEP), Steele will receive a 2013 Dodge Caravan donated by Insurance Auto Auctions and repaired by Pacific Elite Collision.

John Munoz, an Army veteran, enjoyed a 10-year career at McDonnell Douglas until he broke his back, was unable to work and depleted his savings. His car had become his home until it was stolen while he was in the hospital. Nominated by U.S. Veterans Initiative, he will receive a 2014 Nissan Sentra donated by Hertz and repaired by MAACO Lake Forest.

Lisseth Lopez, a single mother and home health care provider, is devoted to raising her 15-year-old daughter who is at the top of her class. Lopez is the original owner of an unreliable 2001 Nissan Pathfinder with 300,000-plus miles and costly repairs that exceed the car’s value. The Pathfinder is currently her only means of transportation to work. Lopez was nominated by Family Promise South Bay and will receive a 2013 Honda Accord donated by State Farm and refurbished by Platinum Collision. Centers.

Frederick Lewis, a Marine veteran, suffers from disabilities related to his years as a mortar, ammunitions and gunner specialist. He currently endures long bus rides from Santa Ana to the VA Hospital in Long Beach, and has been told he needs to increase treatment up to five times a week. Nominated by U.S. Veterans Initiative, Lewis will receive a 2012 Mazda S donated by GEICO and repaired by Fix Auto Tustin.

Destiny Bracamonte, a single mother working two jobs to support her family, is always on the road, whether it’s driving to work appointments, medical visits, school activities or grocery shopping. Her current high-mileage vehicle breaks down often and is highly unreliable. She was nominated by The Sheepfold and will receive a 2011 Honda Accord donated by Allstate and repaired by Service King Placentia.