June 21, 2018—A pair of local Seattle families in need received a gift of two newly refurbished vehicles. The donations came due to the volunteer efforts of Service King Collision Repair Centers, GEICO and Enterprise-Rent-a-Car. 

Local employees from the three companies worked together as part of the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides program after hearing the stories of U.S. Army veteran Leon Swain and the family of Micah and Cameron Cortez.

Both families have experienced trials of homelessness and have expressed a  need for more reliable transportation. On Thursday, the Swain and Cortez families were officially presented keys to a 2016 Toyota Corolla and a 2015 Honda Accord as part of a ceremonial presentation at GEICO's Renton office. 

The two vehicles were donated by GEICO and fully restored to like-new condition by the teammates and technicians at Service King Collision Repair Centers. 

Swain is a 29-year Army veteran with a family of four. Prior to Thursday’s donation, Swain needed a reliable vehicle to transport his children to school and himself to his work. His family recently spent four months living out of their previous unreliable vehicle before receiving housing assistance from a local organization. 

The Cortez family also faced periods of homelessness but recently moved into a rental home in Spokane. Michah Cortez works 12 hour shifts, four days a week to provide for his family and their youngest son who has been diagnosed with Bilateral Retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye cancer. The family previously had just one vehicle that they used for both trips to treatment and Micah’s job. 

Service King, GEICO and Enterprise Rent-a-Car are all longtime partners of the NABC Recycled Rides Program.