Michael Esler, a U.S. Navy veteran and single father from the Denver, CO, area, recently received a fully refurbished vehicle thanks to the National Auto Body Council’s (NABC) Recycled Rides program, repair partner CARSTAR Jordan Road Collision, and a special vehicle donor.
The 2012 GMC Terrain once belonged to Murray Rigsby, a proud U.S. Air Force veteran and a community-minded citizen. Rigsby was also the father-in-law of Gary Boesel, owner of CARSTAR Jordan Road Collision in Centennial, CO.
When Rigsby recognized the time had come to voluntarily give up driving, he decided he wanted the SUV to benefit another veteran through the NABC Recycled Rides program. After Rigsby’s passing, Boesel followed through on his wish.
Rigsby’s family all attended the ceremony where the SUV was presented to Esler, whose young son has special needs. Esler has gone from homelessness to finding housing through the HUD-VASH program. He was described as a hard worker who was using a bicycle to get to his medical appointments, but struggled to get his son to the care he needs or his school programs. The veteran is also recovering from a concussion and other injuries he suffered in a series of bicycle accidents.
Esler looks forward to the progress he and his son will make with the NABC Recycled Rides donated vehicle. He was nominated for the NABC Recycled Rides program by the Veterans Health Homeless Program.
CARSTAR Jordan Road, one of the original CARSTAR franchises, is I-CAR Gold Class certified, earned through the highest level of training and up-to-date repair procedures. CARSTAR is a level one member of the NABC.
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 $51 million.
Additional partners in the presentation included Mike Maroone, Axalta, asTech, New World PDR, Advanced Remarketing Services and Cars for Charity.
