Veteran Presented “New to Him” Car through Wheels of Success on President’s Day

President’s Day is observed annually in February to honor our US Presidents past and present – and to allow federal employees a 3-day weekend. At Wheels of Success, we often work on the holidays when our recipients are off and don’t have to take off from work to receive their vehicle.

Our newest recipient, a US Army veteran, Andre Carter, was referred to us through St. Vincent de Paul, through our Vehicles for Veterans Program. Veterans who go through the program are referred to us through a referring agency partner agency or their employer and are required to make $125 monthly payments for one year, attend a Car Care Class and complete 36 volunteer hours back to the charity. Wheels Of Success provides a hand up not a hand out to keep people working and sustain their independence.

“Having a car will open so many doors for me. It will also allow me access to my teenage children who are far away and riding a bus there is almost impossible,” said Andre. “I’ll also be able to pick up overtime hours that I was unable to accept before due to difficult bus schedules.” Andre’s “new-to-him” Fiat 500 was funded by the Tampa Bay Rays Foundation. “If people knew all the bus rides and Uber rides I’ve been through – that’s why my smile is so wide. This program is great!”

“Our Vehicles for Veterans Program was created to help veterans re-enter the workforce after serving our country. The program was started with funding through State Farm in 2009, making it easier for veterans to keep the jobs they have, get the medical care they need and keep them from sliding into homelessness,’ said Susan Jacobs, Founder and CEO of Wheels of Success.

About Wheels of Success:
Wheels of Success is dedicated to providing personal transportation solutions by partnering with the community in a circle of support to keep people working and sustain their independence. Since June 2003, Wheels of Success has helped more than 1,500 families obtain or continue work by providing them with reliable transportation through a program of car repairs, vehicle replacement, related licensing services, car payments, down payments and car-care classes.

Media contact: Susan Jacobs, 813-995-5040 or for more information visit us online at http://www.wheelsofsuccess.org or email: info@wheelsofsuccess.org