5 CA Vets Granted Cars In Keys To Progress Veterans Giveaway: 2023

CALIFORNIA — Five deserving Veterans across California received new cars Wednesday, thanks to the 11th annual Keys to Progress vehicle giveaway, Progressive Insurance announced in a recent news release. According to Progressive spokesperson Michael Ferrari, the selected veterans live across the Golden State, from San Diego to the Sacramento area.

A total of 82 veterans, military-related organizations, and veteran-owned small business owners across the country are getting back on the road and moving forward thanks to the program, Ferrari told Patch.

Four of the award winners hailed from Southern California, including two Marines from San Diego who were honored on Wednesday.

Single mother Quanika Bryant was awarded a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L.

The Marine told Keys to Progress that she has had to take her kids to school with the help of the Sprinter bus. "I live off of my veteran's disability and am not able to work," she said. Now, she can be "fully faithful and active in her church" and take her children to the movies. "I can't express how happy my heart is that someone cares enough to help."

Another San Diego Marine veteran, Jefferson Roblero, received a 2021 Nissan Altima SV.

Roblero said his aircraft maintenance job requires him to depend on rides to get to and from work. "It bothers me to not be independent in transportation, to get to medical appointments or do funeral detail services for military members who served honorably." He added that he appreciated the car to enjoy California as much as possible while living as an "independent and reliable Marine."

In Pasadena, Bradley Griffin — nominated for the program by his brother, another disabled veteran— received a 2021 Nissan Altima SV courtesy of Keys to Progress.

"I know my brother, and when he returned from war, he was forever changed and has done remarkably well, given his physical disabilities, PTSD, and mental anxiety," his brother wrote in the application to Keys to Progress. "We are best friends and will grow and help others. My brother and I are as active in our communities as we can be for not having a car. I work with a video game nonprofit, and Brad is launching his Veteran's Wellness Coaching business."

Also at the Pasadena ceremony, Kevin Harris—a Navy veteran and aspiring Master's Degree candidate and soccer coach—was awarded a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L vehicle.

Harris told Keys to Progress in his application that his finances were strained during COVID-19, and he could no longer afford a vehicle. Due to financial difficulties, he could not secure a decent loan for a used vehicle and resorted to long-term rentals for his charity work. He said the "security and stability for my kids was the greatest blessing" with the donated car.

Sacramento-area resident Marlene Singletary, also a veteran with PTSD, was awarded her 2021 Nissan Rogue SV4L on Wednesday.

Diagnosed with PTSD, she received a PTSD Service Dog. She said she was forced to take the bus to attend training classes with her dog and has struggled to get through life.

She said that her new car would enable her not to be afraid around others and better maintain her service dog's health.

Since 2013, 65 veterans in the Golden State have earned this honor from six different branches of government, according to the Keys to Progress team.

Progressive worked with Enterprise Rent-A-Car to locate certified vehicles from Enterprise's U.S. fleet of high-quality, used cars, vans, and SUVs that could be purchased and given away with funds provided by Progressive, the release reads. The veterans will receive the vehicles and six months of insurance paid for by Enterprise.

More than 1,000 vehicles have been donated through the Keys to Progress program since 2013.

Tricia Griffith, CEO at Progressive, shared their enthusiasm for supporting the nation's veterans.

"As we enter our 11th year of the Keys to Progress program, it is exciting to celebrate another significant milestone, having now provided over 1,000 vehicles and impacting the lives of so many veterans and their families," Griffith said in a prepared statement. "At its core, the Keys to Progress vehicle giveaway program is just one way we celebrate our nation's veterans, and these events are a strong source of pride for everyone who works at Progressive."

John Murphy, Progressive Claims President, shared his thoughts on the day.

"Throughout the years, the Keys to Progress program has provided reliable transportation to veterans and veteran organizations. Our hope is to offer a little relief and improve the lives of military men and women facing tough personal circumstances," Murphy said in his prepared statement. "We're grateful to be able to help those who have given so much for our country and look forward to continuing the program for years to come."

To apply as a future potential recipient, veterans need to be sponsored by a veteran-friendly, nonprofit organization to submit their request.

Applications are reviewed starting in May of each program year. For more information on the Keys to Progress veteran vehicle giveaway program, visit KeysToProgress.com or search #KeysToProgress on social media.

A statement on the program, shared on Progressive's website, shows why the Keys to Progress is a favored event for the Progressive team year after year:

"This program is a way for us to come together as a company to give back to people who have given so much for our country."

Across the nation, the 2023 Keys to Progress vehicle giveaway honors veterans with personal and commercial vehicles. This year's events were scheduled for the following cities:

• Albany, NY
• Albuquerque, NM
• Altamonte Springs, FL
• Anchorage, AK
• Ankeny, IA
• Appleton, WI
• Baton Rouge, LA
• Boise, ID
• Bozeman, MT
• Buffalo, NY
• Carmel, IN
• Charleston, WV
• Charlotte, NC
• Cleveland, OH
• Colorado Springs, CO
• Columbia, SC
• Columbus, OH
• East Dundee, IL
• Federal Way, WA
• Gilbert, AZ
• Glen Burnie, MD
• Greenville, SC
• Harrisburg, SD
• Highland Heights, OH
• Houston, TX
• Jacksonville, FL
• Johnston, RI
• Kansas City, KS
• Kapolei, HI
• Kennesaw, GA
• Knoxville, TN
• Las Vista, NE
• Little Rock, AR
• Louisville, KY
• Malvern, PA
• Mesquite, TX
• Metairie, LA
• Midvale, UT
• Miramar, FL
• Mobile, AL
• Monroeville, PA
• Nashville, TN
• Norfolk, VA
• Pasadena, CA
• Philadelphia, PA
• Raleigh, NC
• Ridgeland, MS
• Riverview, FL
• Roseville, MN
• Sacramento, CA
• San Antonio, TX
• Santee, CA
• South Plainfield, NJ
• Springfield, MO
• Sterling Height, MI
• Tigard, OR
• Tulsa, OK
• Washington DC
• West Chester, OH
• West Fargo, ND
• West Palm Beach, FL
• Westwood, MA

Progressive's Keys to Progress giveaway program is a reality thanks to the assistance of the following organizations:

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car locates certified vehicles from their U.S. fleet of high-quality, used cars, vans, and SUVs for purchase to be given away with funds from Progressive. Enterprise also funds the first six months of insurance for the vehicles. Policies are written by Progressive.
• Veracity Research Co. Investigations, a veteran-owned and operated organization, helps support the recipient selection process each year.
• Insurance Auto Auctions Inc. provides a 12-month powertrain protection plan for the vehicles.
• The Original 1-800-Charity Cars provides resources to facilitate vehicle donations and titling and registration of some vehicles for recipients.
• Local charities help to identify veteran recipients in each region.