The National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides program donated a vehicle to a veteran in Daytona Beach, Florida, according to a press release.
With the help of car donor GEICO and collision repair partner Daytona Toyota – Certified Collision Center, a 2015 Ford Escape was given to Nilsson Garcia during an August 26 presentation.
Garcia served in the U.S. Army from 1991 through 1995 and has been without a vehicle since losing his job at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and having to let his car go.
Last year, Garcia began volunteering with charity partner Soldiers' Angels and was eventually recruited as an intern. He has had to either borrow vehicles or utilize public transportation to get to places he needs to be.
Along with the vehicle, Garcia received a pass to attend a driving school from NASCAR Racing Experience, as did his mentor from Soldier’s Angels as well as the team at GEICO--a NASCAR Premier Partner--and Daytona Toyota, who is an official Daytona International Speedway partner.
Over 3,200 vehicles have been donated by the NABC. This giveaway marks Daytona Toyota – Certified Collision Center’s fifth giveaway they have been involved with.
“We want to be good community partners and give back to those in need,” said Todd Sindel, collision center manager at Daytona Toyota. “To help a veteran like Nilsson get back on the road with reliable transportation and give back to other veterans is our goal.”
