Chauncey Roberts, a veteran of the U.S. Army, arrived at Lutz Ferman Collision, as a passenger — but when he left, he was driving his own set of wheels.
Roberts was surprised when a silver 2011 Volkswagen Jetta sedan pulled up and was presented to him, during a July 24 event at the collision center.
Geico Auto Insurance and Enterprise were key contributors working in the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides program to make this donation.
“It’s tears of joy,” the New Port Richey resident said, with emotion. “This is going to be so much better for me.”
Behind Roberts, a crowd – mostly made up of business participants – broke out in applause.
Teressa Knab, an attendee, is a public affairs coordinator for Geico Auto Insurance.
“It feels really good,” Knab noted on the occasion. “As the largest auto insurance in the state of Florida, we feel like it’s our obligation to make sure we’re taking care of the people in our state.”
Scott Rippelle, general manager at Ferman Collision, heard about Roberts’ transportation needs and was intrigued by his service in the U.S. Army.
As Rippelle stated: “When I was growing up, the biggest thing I always thought about [was] ‘Who’s our heroes?’ When I got older, I realized our heroes were the high school students coming out of school to give up their lives to fight for our country.”
Rippelle referred Roberts to Geico, who actively donates vehicles to the Recycled Rides program.
After the veteran went through an approval process, his soon-to-be ride was sent to Ferman Collision in Lutz to get a brand new look.
Recycled Rides was established in 2007 to help everyday commuters get around with ease by having their own means of transportation.
In 2018, 90 vehicles were donated nationwide and, this year, that number is expected to exceed 200 vehicles.
For Roberts, the vehicle will make it easier for him to pursue his goal of becoming a nurse anesthetist.
After his honorable discharge from the service, he experienced multiple setbacks.
While working at Tampa General Hospital, Roberts had no immediate family close by and struggled to find stable residency.
He briefly stayed at a friend’s home while she was hospitalized.
After her unfortunate passing, Roberts reached out to the Supportive Services for Veteran Families and was provided permanent housing.
With a stable home, he is currently working evenings and going to school.
Without a car, he had challenges getting to and from school. He walked, rode a bicycle, caught buses, and used Lyft and Uber.
“We hear that all the time, that customers or recipients will spend like three hours commuting just to their jobs,” Knab said. “With a car, it cuts that commute down and gives them more time to be with their family [and] potentially work a better job.”
As a student at A-1 Healthcare Academy in New Port Richey, that’s precisely what Roberts hopes to achieve.
And, besides making it easier to achieve his own goals, Roberts said he’s now in a position to help others.
“I have coworkers who don’t have cars,” Roberts said. “I can give them a ride home or give them a ride to work. I understand that situation – been there, done that. Now I can bless others.”
So, it turns out that the generosity that Roberts has received will have a spillover effect — spreading that kindness to others.
Published July 31, 2019
