Two U.S. Marine veterans facing life challenges were gifted refurbished vehicles in May, thanks to the National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides program, vehicle donor Interinsurance Exchange of the Automobile Club of Southern California, and repair partner Seidner’s Collision.
The vehicles, a 2019 Kia Forte and a 2018 Hyundai Sonata, were presented during the Benedict Castle Concours and Car Show, a widely attended Southern California event that features an array of custom and restored cars and supports the global charity Teen Challenge.
Angela Cain, one of the recipients, overcame a difficult upbringing involving abuse and neglect, later joining the U.S. Marine Corps Junior ROTC program in high school before becoming a Marine. After her service, she faced homelessness while raising her infant daughter. Now studying criminal forensics, Cain was nominated for the vehicle donation by U.S. Vets/Outside the Wire.
The donated vehicle will help Cain attend school and take care of her daughter.
Brandon Jack Lauford, also a Marine veteran, is working toward a business administration degree with the help of his Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. With his son living 12 hours away by train and limited campus access to food and services over the summer, Lauford’s refurbished Sonata will offer new freedom and connection. He was nominated by the Veterans Resource Center at Concordia University Irvine.
“The Benedict Castle Concours is… the perfect venue for the NABC to honor two U.S. Marine veterans,” said Gene Lopez, director of development and training at Seidner’s Collision. “They are excited about how their lives will change because of the gift of reliable transportation.”
Seidner’s Collision, an I-CAR Gold Certified repair center and active NABC member, has contributed several vehicles to the initiative.
The NABC Recycled Rides program brings together businesses across the collision repair industry to repair and donate vehicles to individuals in need. Since 2007, the program has donated more than 3,500 vehicles, with a total value exceeding $51 million.
Additional partners in this presentation included Advanced Remarketing Services, Enterprise, Cars for Charity and Copart.
