South Texas veteran receives refurbished vehicle from collision industry

The donation was made possible by the NABC Recycled Rides program, event host PPG, vehicle donor Allstate and repair partner Gerber Collision & Glass

Port Charlotte, Fla.—A United States Marine Corps veteran from south Texas, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, received refurbished vehicle this week as he continues to care for his family and regain his independence. 

The donation was made possible by the NABC Recycled Rides program, event host PPG, vehicle donor Allstate and repair partner Gerber Collision & Glass with special vehicle adaptations by the Freedom Mobility Foundation.

The veteran, Pedro Perez, was nominated by the Freedom Mobility Foundation. Freedom Mobility Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to restore mobility for active military service members, veterans, first responders, and people with physical impairments so that they can freely live their lives to the maximum extent that technology allows.

“It’s unbelievable, it’s truly amazing,” said Perez, a father of three with wife, Lucy, who plans to use the vehicle to regain his independence and get back to enjoying the outdoors on the family farm. “This vehicle will truly be life-changing for me and my family. I’m looking forward to getting back out on the road and doing all the things I enjoy.”

Perez is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served from 2007 to 2011, having been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. He returned from his two tours to civilian life in 2011, continuing a life of service as a police officer in Donna, Texas.  

However, in 2013, Perez was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. He had to make the difficult decision to have his leg and part of his pelvis removed. Today he uses crutches, a wheelchair and a powerchair.  

This refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides program, equipped with a lift, will greatly improve his quality of life by restoring a sense of independence, safety, and access to the world beyond paved roads.

Additional partners in this presentation include: Mobility Works, Glass America, Nexus Towing, Fifth Gear, Copart, Advanced Remarketing Services and Cars for Charity.

NABC Recycled Rides is a unique 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. Since the program in 2007, members of the National Auto Body Council have donated more than 3,750 vehicles valued at some $67 million.