Valentine’s Day was extra sweet this year for Jalisa Watkins, a senior airman with the U.S. Air Force stationed at Tinker Air Force Base, who was selected to receive a newly refurbished car as part of Caliber Collision’s participation in the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides program.
Caliber partners with insurance companies to refurbish and donate vehicles to individuals and service organizations in need. Farmers Insurance donated the vehicle, which was refurbished by Caliber Collision associates who volunteered personal time to repair the vehicle as a community service project.
Watkins, who has a 17-month-old son, and her husband have been struggling with mounting debts and have been without a car. Getting to work at Tinker Air Force Base has been a challenge, and without reliable transportation, it has been difficult for her husband to find a job. Watkins turned to Operation Homefront, a support organization for military families during difficult financial times, which nominated her as a recipient for the Recycled Rides program.
“For many families struggling through hard times, lack of reliable transportation is a huge barrier towards regaining financial stability,” said Todd Dillender, Caliber Collision vice president of operations. “Our company mission is to restore the rhythm of our customer’s lives as we repair their vehicles. We hope this special Valentine’s Day gift will ease the burden of transportation and help Jalisa and her family get back on the road towards a brighter future.”
Added Pete Hickey, COD division manager of national MSO operations for Farmers, “Farmers Insurance has a proud history of giving back to local communities, and we want to thank Jalisa for her service to our country and are honored to be part of gifting this vehicle to such a worthy individual and her family."
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