Over the previous five years, Progressive's Keys to Progress® application has donated over 500 cars to people in need and cars for veterans and these cars have changed lifestyles of the disabled vets.
"It was a day I will never forget," said Army Veteran Toby McNutt who obtained her car on Nov. 9.
She was residing with her daddy, operating a part-time job, and beginning business courses at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, when her dad decided to move to Indiana. Toby wanted to stay in Topeka, but she knew she would not be able to afford housing on her own, so she reached out to VA..
This solved one issue, however, Toby had another: Her car was unreliable. She said it'd break down whenever it was inconvenient.
"I'd leave work to go to lunch and my car would stop, about two or three times. My old automobile stopped on me at college," Toby said. Toby didn't hesitate to apply.
Toby McNutt (center), accompanied by her two daughters, accepts her new automobile donated through Progressive's Keys to Progress program.
Now, Toby pushes her 2016 Chevy Malibu to work and school without fear of it leaving her stranded.
"It's more than simply winning a vehicle," said Toby,"it is people appreciating your services "
On the other side of the country, on that exact same November day, Navy Veteran Michael Santos (pictured at top of page) received his Keys to Progress donation in Fresno, California.
He would always catch up on his payments during the sunnier months, along with his landlords were OK with this -- until he encountered one that was not. He had been homeless and want .
It was not until about a year after that he found free car for disabled veterans Plaza, a transitional provider, and started his journey from homelessness. Soon afterwards, Michael was put in touch with a VA caseworker and registered in HUD-VASH, which helped him locate home.
Having a place to call his very own, Michael decided he wanted to cover it forward, so that he began volunteering at a number of Veteran-centric organizations. The devotion was rewarding but was difficult -- in part because he did not have a car.
"To be able to perform everything, I was spending 15 hours per week on the bus," said Michael.
He immediately implemented. It was fortunate time because fourteen days after getting the car, Michael severely injured his spine.
"I wouldn't have been able to do anything with public transport," Michael said. "If I did not have this car, I wouldn't have access to the professional services I need.
After Michael makes a complete recovery from his injury, he plans to establish a group at his regional Vet Center, where Veterans can watch films together and start up afterward about how the movies made them feel.
These stories wouldn't be the same without the hard job of Progressive employees who encourage the Keys to Progress application, such as Veteran Alex Rucshner, senior coach for asserts. Alex works with VA caseworkers and VA partner organizations to identify Veterans who are qualified for Keys to Progress services.
"Insufficient transportation holds people down and takes away their freedom -- it doesn't give them a chance to become steady, to hold down a job, for their doctors' appointments, to do everything they will need to perform," explained Alex."And we enjoy giving liberty back to the men and women who struggled for ours."
Toby and Michael obtained two of those 115 cars that were given in 2017.
Veterans interested in receiving a 2018 free car for disabled veterans donation must get the right forms from a nonprofit or a free car for disabled veterans staff individual, in addition to meet certain criteria. From there, they could submit the application to the Keys to Progress app themselves or via a family member or lawye for the cars for vets.
People who get donations will get a refurbished free car for disabled veterans, a complete tank of gas, auto insurance payments made for six months, along with other assistance based on where they reside. With more than 60 Keys to Progress event locations nationwide, Progressive looks forward to gifting at least 100 more free car for disabled veterans with vehicles this year to help them move ahead in their lives.
More Information
See the Keys to Progress site to learn more.
Go to VA's site to find out about housing initiatives and other applications for Veterans exiting homelessness.
"It was a day I will never forget," said Army Veteran Toby McNutt who obtained her car on Nov. 9.
Free Cars For Disabled Veterans 2019 Program
This solved one issue, however, Toby had another: Her car was unreliable. She said it'd break down whenever it was inconvenient.
"I'd leave work to go to lunch and my car would stop, about two or three times. My old automobile stopped on me at college," Toby said. Toby didn't hesitate to apply.
Toby McNutt (center), accompanied by her two daughters, accepts her new automobile donated through Progressive's Keys to Progress program.
Now, Toby pushes her 2016 Chevy Malibu to work and school without fear of it leaving her stranded.
"It's more than simply winning a vehicle," said Toby,"it is people appreciating your services "
On the other side of the country, on that exact same November day, Navy Veteran Michael Santos (pictured at top of page) received his Keys to Progress donation in Fresno, California.
He would always catch up on his payments during the sunnier months, along with his landlords were OK with this -- until he encountered one that was not. He had been homeless and want .
It was not until about a year after that he found free car for disabled veterans Plaza, a transitional provider, and started his journey from homelessness. Soon afterwards, Michael was put in touch with a VA caseworker and registered in HUD-VASH, which helped him locate home.
Having a place to call his very own, Michael decided he wanted to cover it forward, so that he began volunteering at a number of Veteran-centric organizations. The devotion was rewarding but was difficult -- in part because he did not have a car.
"To be able to perform everything, I was spending 15 hours per week on the bus," said Michael.
He immediately implemented. It was fortunate time because fourteen days after getting the car, Michael severely injured his spine.
"I wouldn't have been able to do anything with public transport," Michael said. "If I did not have this car, I wouldn't have access to the professional services I need.
After Michael makes a complete recovery from his injury, he plans to establish a group at his regional Vet Center, where Veterans can watch films together and start up afterward about how the movies made them feel.
These stories wouldn't be the same without the hard job of Progressive employees who encourage the Keys to Progress application, such as Veteran Alex Rucshner, senior coach for asserts. Alex works with VA caseworkers and VA partner organizations to identify Veterans who are qualified for Keys to Progress services.
"Insufficient transportation holds people down and takes away their freedom -- it doesn't give them a chance to become steady, to hold down a job, for their doctors' appointments, to do everything they will need to perform," explained Alex."And we enjoy giving liberty back to the men and women who struggled for ours."
Toby and Michael obtained two of those 115 cars that were given in 2017.
Veterans interested in receiving a 2018 free car for disabled veterans donation must get the right forms from a nonprofit or a free car for disabled veterans staff individual, in addition to meet certain criteria. From there, they could submit the application to the Keys to Progress app themselves or via a family member or lawye for the cars for vets.
People who get donations will get a refurbished free car for disabled veterans, a complete tank of gas, auto insurance payments made for six months, along with other assistance based on where they reside. With more than 60 Keys to Progress event locations nationwide, Progressive looks forward to gifting at least 100 more free car for disabled veterans with vehicles this year to help them move ahead in their lives.
More Information
See the Keys to Progress site to learn more.
Go to VA's site to find out about housing initiatives and other applications for Veterans exiting homelessness.