Going beyond the giveaway

NATALIE:

I was young, I was 21 years old, and I joined because I had to get out of my hometown.

Had to go somewhere and do something with my life.

And my family military lineage dates back all the way to the American Revolution.

NARRATOR:

In 2019, Natalie was awarded a vehicle via Progressive’s Keys to Progress® program.

NATALIE:

I was riding the struggle bus. I had just gotten my real estate license and it's hard to explain how challenging life is when you don't have wheels.

Being in real estate, like, that car is everything.

Having gotten this car has altered my life for the better continuously.

Most of my clients have been veterans, and seeing them building equity and generational wealth, being able to plug that into my veteran community is, is rewarding.

It makes me so happy to think that not only was my life changed but other veterans’ lives are continuously being changed.

JAMES:

I remember the day I was coming out of Salt Lake City and got a phone call, and I was in shock. It changed my life.

And, uh, that's one of the things you hear about a lot of veterans is the transition is hard.

You know, I realized I needed to fulfill that part of being something bigger than myself.

And to me, the trucking industry is a direct parallel to serving. From the day that I was awarded a truck to today, we got seven trucks, eight trailers …

… we have nine drivers, three of them are other fellow veterans as well. I'm so thankful to see it finally happen again …

NARRATOR:

James “J.C.” Rose, Lt. Col. Ret. USMC, 2022 Semitruck Recipient

JAMES:

… because when you give a veteran a new mission, it brings a whole new light to their eyes. It brings a whole new sense of fulfillment.

We have so much to give and continue to give. This is perfect for it.

EVAN:

I'm still at a loss for words. You know, every day I walk out and I see my truck …

… and I'm just thankful for that opportunity and peace of mind that that's given me.

NARRATOR:

In 2017, the Keys to Progress program gifted U.S. Navy Petty Officer Evan Heald a vehicle.

EVAN:

It was a pretty difficult time.

You know, military life can be a little bit hard just because, you know, we're basically uprooted every three years. Had some issues come up with my family. My wife had some health issues.

I was going back and forth between Indianapolis and Cincinnati quite a bit. It was just a tremendous thing that, I was able to get a new vehicle and not have to worry about that expense.

And so I'm in a unique situation being on both sides, where I've received a vehicle and I've also been part of the gifting process. There are so many veterans that struggle, post-military life, both financially, as well as somewhat you know mentally, and for Progressive to specifically target veterans with this program ...

... it's really an amazing gift.

NARRATOR:

In 2014, Keys to Progress® gifted U.S. Army Veteran Tina Caviness a vehicle.

TINA:

A month and a half, two months prior to Keys to Progress, my life was absolutely turned upside down. I literally had nothing.

So, it was a big, huge blessing for me and my life and my children. They made it so special. We had military trucks here. They had the color guard. My kids loved it, they felt so special.

I was working for a veteran program for a nonprofit.

Every year after I got the vehicle, I was providing referrals to veterans and coming to the Keys to Progress program.

And unfortunately, my program lost funding.

Got a phone call from Progressive like I normally do when it's that time of year and I'm like, "Yeah, I'm unemployed right now I'm looking for a job." And she says, "Well, we have some positions open." Went through the interview process and got hired. I started in May of 2018. I love Progressive. I'm now co-facilitating the whole event here at our office.

I'm always going to be involved in the Keys to Progress program as long as it's still around.