Disabled Veteran Receives Donated Car Beautifully Refurbished by Auto Collision Students.
A Minneapolis Navy veteran received a refurbished 2020 Hyundai Elantra donated by Allstate and repaired by Dunwoody College of Technology students through the National Auto Body Council's Recycled Rides for Schools program.
On Wednesday, September 23, Robert Hanson, a Minneapolis veteran, was given a refurbished 2020 Hyundai Elantra SEL at Dunwoody College of Technology. According to the National Auto Body Council (NABC), Allstate donated the car and students at the college repaired it as part of the NABC Recycled Rides for Schools program.
Hennepin County Homeless Access nominated Hanson for the vehicle. He served as a U.S. Navy Airman from 1993 to 1997 and was honorably discharged. The council says he has had severe health problems since leaving the military that make everyday movement difficult. It lists swelling in his ankles, back issues, severe asthma and fibromyalgia, and says he cannot walk long distances and finds public transportation very hard to use. The car is meant to help with daily tasks and with his doctors' appointments.
Brian Briske, an assistant professor of automotive collision and refinishing at Dunwoody, said the project gave students "an opportunity for our students to do something with their skills that gave back to community." Hanson said the car would change how he gets around. "Big-time game changer for me because I've been walking everywhere to get food," he said. He added that he could now shop at more reasonable stores and buy in bulk.
The council named a long list of additional partners in the presentation, including Caliber Collision, Highland Collision, Hopkins Autobody, Luther Collision, LKQ, Superior Collision, Morries Hyundai and Copart. It says Allstate has donated nearly 400 vehicles through Recycled Rides, making it one of the program's largest vehicle donors.
Since 2007, NABC members have donated more than 3,850 vehicles valued at about $69 million through Recycled Rides. The Schools version gives vocational students hands-on training on late-model vehicles. The council also invites the public to donate unwanted or non-running vehicles through its Keys for Change program, which it says provides a tax donation and funds transportation for people in need.
Note: The headline calls Hanson a disabled veteran. The page describes his severe health problems and mobility limits but does not say he has an official disability status.
At a Glance
- Robert Hanson received a refurbished 2020 Hyundai Elantra SEL at Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis on September 23.
- Hanson served in the U.S. Navy as an Airman from 1993 to 1997 and was honorably discharged.
- Allstate has donated nearly 400 vehicles through the NABC Recycled Rides program.
- Since 2007, NABC members have donated more than 3,850 vehicles valued at about $69 million.
Sources
This brief was written by Brightside Report from the reporting linked above. Spot an error? Request a correction.