An Appleton veteran is gifted a new vehicle through Progressive's "Keys to Progress" program, Nov. 14, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — An Appleton veteran was one of nearly 100 servicemembers who received the keys to a new vehicle Thursday.
It’s all part of Progressive’s 12th annual Keys to Progress initiative, which aims to provide reliable transportation for veterans, military-related organizations and veteran-owned small business owners across the country.
“It’s incredible. It feels surreal, honestly,” said veteran Justin Catlin. “A few months ago, we were just having issues with our vehicle and wondering what we were going to do next and how we were going to get through the challenges that we were facing at the time. And then a few months later, here we are with a new vehicle. It just seems unreal, unbelievable.”
Justin’s wife, Ariel, added, “It was a lot, mentally, on us, trying to figure stuff out, when the car would stop working on the highway and everything like that. So it’s just such a relief that we are able to have a reliable car that we feel safe in now. We’re very, very appreciative of that.”
Since its inception in 2013, the Keys to Progress program has donated more than 1,100 vehicles to veterans nationwide.
“So many veterans need help, and for somebody to want to do something as nice as this, as large of a gift and a help, to uplift the veteran community,” Justin said. “I think that it’s amazing to have the opportunity to be part of this.”
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