TAMPA, FL (November 11, 2013) -- At a time when we celebrate the courage and bravery of everyone who has served our country, Wheels of Success is helping a local veteran in need get back on the road. The Bay area charity known for helping working families waiting for wheels has teamed up again with State Farm Insurance and Firkins Automotive Group to help a soldier through the Wheels of Success Vehicles for Veterans program.
The celebration and recognition will kick-off on Veterans Day at 11:00 a.m., when Wheels of Success will present a 2006 Hyundai Elantra to Rose Walker at Firkins Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram at 2100 First Street in Bradenton.
Walker is a Florida native that has served her country for more than 20 years. Defending the United States from Germany to Iraq, she now helps her fellow servicemen working for the Veterans Administration. Upon returning from Iraq she had trouble keeping a job and supporting her family as a single mother of two. She was eventually diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and was homeless at one time - forced to live with family. This car will provide Rose with a dependable solution to get to work, opening the door to many more opportunities for career advancement, independence, and success.
Wheels of Success’ Vehicles for Veterans program was designed to assist members of our military with personal transportation to ease their transition into the civilian workforce after serving our country. So far, the program has helped nine former service members in the Bay area – with the support of great partners like State Farm and Firkins Automotive Group.
This is the eleventh vehicle State Farm has donated to help families waiting for wheels, and Firkins Automotive Group has generously paid for the repairs to get the Elantra ready for the road. Founder and CEO of Wheels of Success, Susan Jacobs, says “It is because of community partners such as these that we can provide as many vehicles as we do, considering our limited funding and staff. We cannot thank our partners enough for their continued support in honoring local veterans. This delivery is 100% their doing.” Wheels of Success would like to thank the Homeless Emergency Project for connecting us with Rose, and to the following companies for their help in preparing the car - The Dent Doctor, NAPA Auto Parts and Refinishline /Seahawk auto paint supplies.
State Farm and its affiliates are the largest provider of car insurance in the U.S. and is a leading insurer in Canada. In addition to providing auto insurance quotes, their 17,800 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts – more than 79 million auto, home, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 37 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com.
Wheels of Success has provided 552 vehicles and an additional 534 auto-related services to Tampa Bay area families since 2003. Visit www.wheelsofsuccess.org or call 813-417-1090 to learn more or to make a donation.