PHILADELPHIA — Icahn Automotive L.P.'s Pep Boys store network, in partnership with Progressive Casualty Insurance Co., recently donated safety kits and gift cards to 45 U.S. military veterans and families who were beneficiaries of a Progressive vehicle giveway program.
This marks the third year Pep Boys has supported Progressive's Keys to Progress veteran program, which provides cars to help veterans get back on the road and move forward in life.
According to Icahn, among the recipients were:
- A single mother of four who has been forced to walk to and from school, stores, medical appointments and other destinations;
- A former U.S. Army medical specialist who struggled with homelessness and depression following his service in Iraq;
- A non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Reserves who lacked a vehicle to safely transport a son with special needs; and
- A veteran who lost his restaurant job and, subsequently, his vehicle as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brian Kaner, CEO – Service for Pep Boys, said the stories of "veterans who lack many of the basic necessities — including safe, reliable transportation — to establish happy, productive lives following their military service ... touch us deeply."
Pep Boys was founded nearly 100 years ago by four friends who met while serving in the U.S. Navy, Mr. Kaner said, "and we've never lost sight of the vital daily contributions made by our military."
Pep Boys contributes to other veterans' causes, including the U.S. Marines' Toys for Tots program while offering significant employment opportunities for veterans. It also provides discounts on automotive service and parts to all active, reserve and retired members of the military.
Progressive's Keys to Progress program, in his eighth year, has donated more than 750 vehicles to veterans and veteran organizations.
Pep Boys said that in 2020, Progressive worked with Enterprise Rent-A-Car to acquire certified vehicles from Enterprise's U.S. fleet of late-model used cars, vans and SUVs.
Keys to Progress affiliates include Veracity Research Co. Investigations; IAA, Inc.; The Original 1-800-Charity-Cars; DDI Technology; and a variety of local charities.
