Keys to Progress Gives Wounded Veteran a Car

Todd Plybon is one of of 59 wounded vets to receive a car as part of Progressive’s one-day Keys to Progress event.

On June 12, Progressive Insurance held a country-wide event in collaboration with the NABC Recycled Rides project and Enterprise Rent-A-Car to give wounded veterans refurbished vehicles. It is the largest Recycled Rides project to date.

“Hearing the stories of the veterans who are receiving these vehicles highlights how important this effort truly is,” said Tom Minnick, senior claims director at Progressive Insurance. “These are proud people who served our country, and we’re able to give them a boost with Keys to Progress. Whether they need the car to go to work, volunteer or get medical treatment, we’re happy that we’re able to help them keep moving forward.”

In Austin, a 2011 Kia Soul was gifted to Todd Plybon, a National Guardsman who nearly lost his life in Afghanistan when an IED attack injured him in 2009.

“It’s going to be a lot better now with a newer car that will be more comfortable on the road, new shocks, so Todd won’t be jostled so much during the drive, definitely will help us out a lot,” said Tara Plybon, Todd’s wife.

The cars are fully refurbished by Recycled Rides, a group that donates fixed cars to families and service organizations in need.

And it’s not just the car that the veterans get—Enterprise Rent-A-Car is working with Progressive so that each veteran will have at least six months of car insurance as well.

“Recycled Rides started in 2007 with five vehicles donated across the country the entire year, so seeing 59 donated in one event with one insurer just six years later is really outstanding,” said Chuck Sulkala, executive director of the National Auto Body Council. “Keys to Progress and other Recycled Rides events are made possible by everyone making the effort to go the extra mile — doing a little more each day to help make life better for those who need a helping hand.”