On Saturday, May 20, a deserving Dallas-area veteran experienced a life-changing event: the presentation of a vehicle to provide her independence and the ability to work once she graduates in June.
The National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides program, along with car donor Allstate and repair partners Maaco Wylie and Maaco Plano, made it all possible. The presentation was held at the Maaco Wylie Auto Body Shop, and the deserving recipient was selected by the VA Medical Center.
“It is an honor to present a NABC Recycled Ride to this deserving veteran and help her continue her path forward,” said Jennifer Hubbard, board member and secretary for the National Auto Body Council. “Thank you to our partners Allstate and Maaco for making this possible. Together we really are changing and saving lives.”
“We always work to give back to our community, and the NABC Recycled Rides program is a great way to bring our industry together to help a member of our community on their path to success,” said Helmuth Mayer, owner of Maaco Wylie, Maaco Plano and numerous other Maaco locations in the Dallas area. “We’re honored to give this vehicle to a deserving veteran who bravely served our country.”
The recipient was Ms. Thompson, who received a 2015 Buick Verano. Thompson is a U.S. Army veteran who served from 1985 to 1990. She currently does not have a car, is attending school full-time and must walk to school daily or use public transportation.
Thompson has a grade point average of 4.0 and is committed to achieving her short- and long-term goals. She will be graduating in June and hopes to secure a position in the IT field. Having reliable transportation will help her achieve that goal.
“I am so grateful to receive this beautiful blue car and the people at Maaco are so nice and friendly,” Thompson said. “I appreciate them, NABC and other organizations involved with providing me this very needed transportation.”
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 NABC Recycled Rides program in 2007, members of the National Auto Body Council have donated more than 3,000 vehicles valued at some $42 million.
Additional partners in the NABC Recycled Rides presentation included Meineke Car Care, Copart and 1-800 Charity Cars.
