A single mother serving in the U.S. Navy in San Diego was handed the keys to a much-needed vehicle, a fully refurbished 2022 Toyota Corolla, courtesy of the National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides program, in collaboration with car donor USAA and repair partner Fix Auto Collision Poway.
Olusola Smith, the recipient, is an active duty sailor and a single mother of two who has struggled with transportation since her car was wrecked. She has been relying on friends for lifts to carry out her family responsibilities and get to work. The gift of the car will now enable her to independently manage essential tasks like grocery shopping, attending parent-teacher organization meetings, and ferrying her children to school. Smith was nominated for the donation by STEP, Support the Enlisted Project.
“This gift means the world to me,” said Smith. “It means that I can provide for my children. I will be able to contribute to a better quality of life for not only my children but for myself.”
The NABC Recycled Rides program is an initiative where members from various sectors of the collision repair industry unite to repair and donate vehicles to individuals and families needing reliable transportation. Since its beginning in 2007, the program has donated more than 3,300 vehicles, valued at approximately $47 million.
The car was presented to Smith in a ceremony attended by representatives from USAA, Fix Auto Collision Poway and other partners, including Cars for Charity and Advanced Remarketing Services.
