MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio — Pep Boys/Icahn Automotive Group is again supporting veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families as an affiliate of Progressive Casualty Insurance Co.'s "Keys to Progress" program, which donates refurbished vehicles to veterans every November.
The Keys to Progress program offers military families reliable transportation to help them get back on the road and move forward in life. Progressive said it expects to donate vehicles on Nov. 7 to more than 100 veterans in 60-plus locations throughout the U.S.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, approximately 40% of veterans live in rural areas where transportation options can be limited, meaning it's necessary for them to travel far to receive medical care, reach employment centers and access other services they need, Progressive said.
This is the seventh year for the Keys to Progress program, according to Mayfield Village-based Progressive, which said it works with military and charity organizations to find veterans in need of a vehicle and with its network of auto-body shops and national salvage companies to identify and refurbish vehicles for donation.
This is the second year that Pep Boys/Icahn Automotive has participated. In addition to the vehicles, recipients got a $300 gift card from Pep Boys that can be redeemed when their vehicles need recommended maintenance at any of the approximately 1,000 Pep Boys locations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
"We are proud to support Progressive's Keys to Progress program again and make a positive impact on the lives of deserving veterans and their families," Brian Kaner, CEO-Service, Icahn Automotive, said.
"We respect the sacrifices that every member of the military has made, including many of our employees, and thank them for their service to our country."
In addition, Pep Boys Mobile Crew, a team of technicians who provide on-location maintenance and repair services, will help with final preparation of the vehicles being presented to recipients during the Keys to Progress event at Progressive's campus in Mayfield Village.
Joining Pep Boys Mobile Crew will be partner Shell TapUp, a mobile fueling service that delivers Shell fuels and cleaning direct to vehicles for businesses and consumers, which will provide recipients their first tank of gas before driving away.
Pep Boys offers a 10% discount on automotive service and parts to all active, reserve and retired military personnel, and is a proud employer of veterans and reserve members of the military.
Pep Boys/Icahn Automotive is one of eight program affiliates that support the program. The others are: 1-800-Charity-Cars; Enterprise Rent-a-Car; Copart Inc.; National Auto Body Council; Insurance Auto Auctions Inc.; Veracity Research Co. Investigations; and Preferred Warranties Inc.