Pictured (L-R): Rick Lewis, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, Mayor Mary Ann Lutz (Monrovia, Calif.), Steve Seidner, Michael Lloyd, Mayor Liz Reilly (Duarte, Calif.), Councilmember Becky Shevlin (Monrovia, Calif.)
Seidner’s Collision Centers along with the Auto Club of Southern California and California Casualty presented two vehicles to local military veterans enrolled in Citrus College Veterans Success Program through the National Auto Body Council, Recycled Rides program. Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, 32nd Congressional District, who is very active in helping our returning veterans re-adjust to civilian life, was on-hand to help present the vehicles. The Congresswoman also presented a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition to Seidner’s Collision Centers for their outstanding and invaluable service to the community.
Veterans Ashley Bozeman, U.S. Navy, and Allan Weaver, U.S. Army, were the proud recipients of a 2013 Kia Rio, donated by the Auto Club, and a 2010 Toyota Camry, donated by California Casualty, pictured below.
Bozeman served in the Navy from 2007-2011 aboard the USS Ronald Reagan. During a mission in Japan, she was exposed to radiation and has suffered many illnesses related to the exposure. Later she was sent to the Persian Gulf during the Iraq invasion where she again was injured. Currently Bozeman is taking courses at Citrus College towards her AS degree and holds a 3.7 GPA. She also volunteers with many non-profits in the area and is always first to help others at school where she helps tutor other veterans.
Weaver served in the Army for over 7 years joining right after 9-11. Weaver, like so many of our heroes, was upset because our country was under attack. During his deployment in Iraq, Weaver was injured. After returning home in 2008, he struggled to find a job and eventually became homeless. Six years later, he remarried, has a 2-year-old son and is currently pursuing a degree in business at Citrus College.
Weaver is always very helpful to others in his community; he is the first to lend a hand to the elderly or disabled either with home or car repairs, sometimes both.
Steve Seidner, VP of Seidner’s Collision Centers stated, “Our employees always feel such a great sense of pride when working on the Recycled Rides, especially knowing the difference it will make in the recipient’s life. The feeling you get when giving back to your own community is indescribable, and knowing we are helping those that protected our county goes beyond words. It is simply the greatest of all honors and would not have happened if it weren’t for the generosity of the Auto Club and California Casualty.”
“We are pleased and proud to be part of this generous effort by Seidner’s, particularly because these worthy recipients have sacrificed so much for all of us and they deserve a helping hand,” said Rick Lewis, the Auto Club’s claims unit manager.
“A U.S. soldier’s or sailor’s toughest battle shouldn’t come when they get home. No family, especially a U.S. veteran’s, should lack for a reliable vehicle to get to work and important appointments and events,” said California Casualty Vice President James Kauffman. “That’s what makes the Recycled Rides program so valuable, breaking down a barrier for people like Allan. We are proud to partner with Seidner’s Collision Centers and the National Auto Body Council to make a tangible difference for an American hero and his family.”
Monica Christianson, Director of Veteran’s Success Center at College, said "I see many veterans who encounter barriers that impede their process back from military life. Some barriers are monetary, and a simple thing like transportation can impact their ability to make it to their VA appointments, work or school. We nominated Allan and Ashley because they are always first to volunteer in helping others, putting their needs last, and because they both have endured so much while serving our country."
Subscribe to ABRN and receive articles like this every month…absolutely free. Click here
