On February 29, 2020, Keri Coach Works, along with GEICO and Nassau BOCES Barry Career and Technical School, donated a refurbished car to Melanie Harris, a decorated Air Force Veteran in need of reliable transportation as part of the National Auto Body Council’s (NABC) Recycled Rides program.
After Harris’s Air Force career, she pursued her passion for health and fitness by obtaining the necessary education and training to assist those with special needs through movement and exercise. This donation will provide Harris the independence and ability to succeed in her career and give her the means necessary to continue to help her community.
The presentation was held at the Keri Coach Works in Westbury, N.Y. GEICO donated the car through the Driving 4 Change Charity. Nassau BOCES Barry Tech teamed up with Keri Coach Works to refurbish the car. Sponsors included Tire Town of Rockville Center, who donated four new tires and oil changes for life; VW Platinum of Hicksville, who donated a spare key; Parkway Car Stereo of North Babylon, who donated an automatic start feature; Enterprise, who provided a gas card; and Personal Touch Car Wash, who donated a detail on the car.
“One year ago, Keri Coach Works was challenged by its peers at a national conference to participate in the NABC Recycled Rides program, a program that refurbishes a vehicle for an individual or family in need,” said Randy Pullman, president of Keri Coach Works. “Following that conference, Keri Coach Works enlisted the help of Nassau BOCES Barry Technical School students to refurbish a 2013 VW Jetta, donated by GEICO. Keri Coach Works was honored to present Ms. Melanie Harris, a deserving Air Force veteran, with a refurbished ride on Feb. 29, alongside partners GEICO and Nassau BOCES Barry Tech. We would like to thank our sponsors including Tire Town of Freeport, Parkway Car Stereo of North Babylon, VW Platinum of Hicksville, Personal Touch Car Wash and Enterprise for their efforts and generous donations. We are proud of the team here at Keri Coach Works, as well as our partners and sponsors for our collective involvement in this program.”
Harris is an Air Force veteran who has served in the Air Force National Guard for six years as a senior guardsman and two years in the active reserves. While in Afghanistan, Harris served on the flight line, where she worked with electrical systems. While overseas, she realized her deep passion for health and fitness, participating in powerlifting competitions on base. Harris using the GI Bill to continue her education and training in health and fitness. Now, she specializes in helping those with special needs maintain a healthy lifestyle with health, fitness and movement. By providing her with a reliable means of transportation, she can now reach more clients per day by not having to rely on public transportation.
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, NABC members have donated more than 2,500 vehicles valued at more than $36 million.
