Three New Jersey veterans were presented vehicles that will provide independence and the ability to get to work, school and doctor visits, thanks to the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides program, along with vehicle donor GEICO and repair partner Dynasty Auto Body of Paterson, NJ.
At an event attended by local police, firefighters, first responders, Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh and members of the city council, NABC presented the vehicles to veteran recipients Warren Chambers, Edir Coronado and Steven Rypkema.
Chambers, of Carteret, NJ, served in the U.S. Air Force from 1980 to 1988. The head of a family of five, Chambers is a cancer survivor. He has not had a vehicle for 23 years, so he walks to and from his night shift job every day and has not missed a day of work.
Nominated by the New Jersey Veterans Network, Chambers will use his new 2022 Honda Accord to get to work as well as regular doctor appointments, and also to help his family on a daily basis.
“It’s beautiful,” said Chambers of his new vehicle. “I love the color. Thank you to everyone who made this come true.”
Coronado of Summit, NJ, served in the U.S. Navy from 2008 to 2020. Nominated by the New Jersey Veteran’s Network, the married father of three and his family have endured several challenges in recent years, including Coronado’s wife being diagnosed with cancer, undergoing regular treatments and causing the loss of her employment, as well as his parents undergoing difficulties that caused them to move in.
Coranado’s current vehicle is constantly breaking down and he is forced to rely on others for assistance. The 2022 Subaru Forester Sport he received will be vital for the family to get to work, school, school-related activities and doctor visits.
“Since my wife’s diagnosis, I have taken on a lot of extra jobs to help with the finances, and this vehicle will help me get to those jobs and not worry about breaking down,” said Coronado.
Rypkema, of Wayne NJ, served in both the U.S. Marines and U.S. Army for a combined seven years. Nominated by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Rypkema is a self-employed painter, a single father of two and an active member in his church. He has an older vehicle with high mileage that broke down for good two days before the gifting event. The 2023 Toyota Camry he received will allow him to get to work more easily, as well as serve as primary transportation for his children.
"When I was told I was awarded the car I literally cried, I cried for joy and now I can keep helping my children," Rypkema said.
Dynasty Auto Body has a culture of giving back to the community and especially helping veterans. The team has participated in refurbishing and gifting 15 vehicles through the NABC Recycled Rides program. This annual event featured motorcycle police, mounted police, fire trucks, color guard and bagpipes.
Additional partners in the presentation include Toyota of Morristown, Certified Towing & Recovery, PPG, DCH Paramus Honda, Enterprise Mobility, LKQ, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Free Charity Cars, Fenix Parts, Atlantic Auto Glass, New Jersey Veterans Network, Silverstar Alloy Wheel Repair and Colours Inc.
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 inception of the program in 2007, members of the NABC have donated more than 3,500 vehicles valued at some $50 million.
