Janee Bennett, a U.S. Navy veteran, received a refurbished 2017 Toyota Camry.
On Oct. 18, the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides program presented a deserving Charlotte, NC, area veteran with a vehicle to provide her independence and the ability to work.
Allstate donated the vehicle, which was refurbished by collision repair partner Maaco Rock Hill in South Carolina and mechanical repair partner Meineke Car Care Charlotte.
The presentation was held at the Driven Brands headquarters in Charlotte.
Janee Bennett, a U.S. Navy veteran who served from 2013-2019 with three deployments, was nominated as the recipient by Veterans Bridge Home to receive a 2017 Toyota Camry.
Bennett has been dealing with homelessness since she returned home from the Navy, living under less than desirable and unsafe conditions. She eventually went into the shelter. Since she has been there, she has secured full time employment at a local bank and now has her own apartment. The next step in her life journey will be the gift of reliable transportation so that she can continue her road to independence.
“I’m really in shock, it just doesn’t seem real,” said Bennett. “This makes all the difference in getting to work instead of having to take the bus, as well as to medical appointments. I’m working now at a bank and plan to start school while I’m working. I couldn’t do that if I had to take the bus. My whole family is proud of me for the progress I’ve made and for being presented this car today.”
“It is a pleasure to help this U.S. Navy veteran, who is working hard to move forward on her journey to independence,” said Dale Ross, program manager for the NABC Recycled Rides program. "This is only possible with the cooperation of our great members like Allstate, Maaco Rock Hill and Driven Brands.”
“This is an honor to help another veteran by helping paint and refurbish this car,” said Bill Cappel, owner, Maaco Rock Hill, who is a U.S. Army veteran who served during Vietnam. “We’re proud as a team to donate our time to do this, and hope it helps Ms. Bennett continue on her path.”
“It always means a lot to our family to give back to veterans,” said Matt Cooper, co-owner of Meineke of Charlotte with his brother Castor Cooper. “Our father was a veteran and three of our brothers are serving our country. We always want to do what we can to help a veteran in need, and it was great to meet Ms. Bennett, see the smile on her face and appreciation of the team’s efforts in helping with the mechanical maintenance of her new vehicle.”
Additional partners in the NABC Recycled Rides presentation included Cars for Charity, Advanced Remarketing Services, Copart and INA Towing.
Abby Andrews