KISSIMMEE, Fla. – A U.S. Army veteran whose daughter has special medical needs received a life-changing gift on Thursday.
The donation of a fully refurbished vehicle to replace the family’s unrepairable car was presented at Falcons Fire Golf Club.
Pacita Marks served her country in the U.S. Army for 12 years, and her 20-year-old car fell into disrepair last year.
Since then, Marks has depended on rideshares for her and her daughter’s frequent medical appointments, as well as for groceries and other needs.
“It’s costly for taxis and Uber. Public transportation is hard to get around,” Marks said. “It’s very difficult. In my situation, it’s extremely challenging.”
Marks received a 2019 Honda CR-V EX, which was made possible by the NABC Recycled Rides program, insurance partner car donor GEICO, and repair partner Crash Champions. The gifting was sponsored by NABC member United Recyclers Group (URG) and took place at their golf fundraiser as part of their national conference.
“Giving back to the Army vets or any veteran to us, it makes your heart swell,” Crash Champions Director of Operations Rodney Duncan said. “Giving back to the community in this capacity is priceless.”
NABC Recycled Rides is a 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.
Marks, who was nominated through the Soldiers’ Angels program, said she was honored to receive the vehicle.
“It’s amazing. I’m very grateful,” Marks said. “I don’t know what else to say except that I was blessed with something that we really needed.”
Since the inception of the NABC Recycled Rides program in 2007, members of the National Auto Body Council® have donated more than 3,500 vehicles valued at approximately $51 million.
For more details, visit the Recycled Rides program.
