Donated Malibu a blessing for military vet
Her 2018 Chevy Malibu is part of a 20-year-old Benevolence Program run by Mike’s, which was founded by Clayton residents Mike and Laurie Rose.
“The last few years have been rough for me,” said Crawford, who struggles with depression and PTSD/MST (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder/Military Sexual Trauma).
Since losing her car in 2018, she has been renting vehicles or using Lyft. “With all of my struggles and adversities I’ve had to endure, I managed to pull myself out of my depression,” she added. “I recently got a job, found happiness within myself and the only thing my kids and I are in need of is a car.”
She says receiving this car will be “a huge stress reliever” for her and her two children. “I’ll no longer have to worry about how I’m going to pick up and drop my kids off to their dads and school. Not having to depend on others for transportation will be one less stressor I won’t have to deal with mentally, financially and emotionally.”
High Mountain Heroes
Hertz Rent-A-Car donated the Malibu as part of the National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides Program. The vehicle was sponsored by High Mountain Heroes, a nonprofit organization that provides outdoor adventures to disabled military veterans who have returned from deployment with physical or emotional scars.
Two decades ago, Mike’s saw that a lot of vehicles involved in crashes were going to waste while many people desperately needed reliable transportation. The donated vehicles often just need some mechanical and body work to make them safe to drive.
“We feel very fortunate to be involved with such a wonderful program and are very excited to be able to give back to the area communities that have supported us for the past 48 years,” Mike Rose said. “After receiving hundreds of applications over the years and reading the heartbreaking stores, we only wish that we could do more.”
Mike’s presented the car to Crawford outside Moresi’s Chophouse in Clayton. Hertz marketing director Dane Dearlove called it “a near perfect event and the combination of several groups efforts.”
Sponsoring vendor partners include John L. Sullivan Chevrolet, Big-O Tires of Pittsburg, Winter Chevrolet, Pacific Rims, PPG, MAB Towing and Finish Master.