Local business owners donated their time and money to help meet the vital transportation needs of wounded and disabled vets.
After two month of repairs, a wheelchair accessible van will be delivered next week to the U.S. VETS organization that houses at 240 vets in Houston. There are more than 50 disabled vets living there, yet the location doesn't have a wheelchair accessible vehicle to help get them to various appointments.
A brand new vehicle at the time, the van that was originally going to be used by Yellow Cab in Houston got badly damaged in 2008 while being transported.
"We thought because it was a wheelchair accessible van that it would be perfect for the U.S. veterans," Rancourt said. "Their van actually burned down nearly two months ago, so they were without a wheelchair accessible vehicle."
The transportation company's owner, David Wagoner of Wagoner's Trucking, told Rancourt Collision & Automotive Repair about the incident and said he wanted to donate the vehicle for a good cause.
"There were no used parts for it and it sat underneath his carport for four years," said Marc Rancourt, owner of Rancourt Collision & Automotive Repair. "A couple of months ago, he came to me and said he wanted to fix up this van and give it to wounded warriors."
Along with vendors Auto Glass Installers, Quantum Printing and Cy-Fair Upholstery, Rancourt donated labor and parts to put the van back together.
The first six months of insurance and inspection fee has already been paid for.
"On top of buying the van at 100 percent of its list price, David had to pay the transportation company for loss of time on the van, so he has got good money tied up in it," Rancourt said. "I've totaled everything, and I would say there is close to $40,000 in the van."
Wounded, disabled and homeless vets live at the rehabilitation facility. The goal is to get the vets jobs and get them back into the community.
"What the U.S. Vets organization does is pretty awesome," Rancourt said. "We are just glad to help."
For more info on the nonprofit, visit www.usvetsinc.org.