Retired U.S. Army CPT Elena Elwart Needed Automobile to Help Launch Service Dog Program
TrueCar, AutoNation, DAV (Disabled American Veterans), and Team Red, White & Blue partnered on vehicle donation
AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, TrueCar and AutoNation donated a Chevrolet Traverse to retired Army Capt. Elena Elwart at a special event held at the AutoNation Chevrolet dealership in Austin, Texas.
The vehicle donation marked the second year, and third donation, of the DrivenToDrive program, a partner program between TrueCar, DAV (Disabled American Veterans) and Team Red, White & Blue. DrivenToDrive was created to help injured veterans regain the freedom they’ve fought and sacrificed to provide for their fellow citizens by helping them get back behind the wheel of vehicles.
Deployed in Iraq as part of a military vehicle maintenance team, Elwart was medically discharged due to a back injury in 2012. During her recovery, she was unable to drive intermittently due to pain, discomfort, and PTSD, but service dogs critically aided in her recovery.
“Having a service dog for me, because that’s how I got started, probably saved my life in many ways. I don’t know where I would be without my little service dog. With her help I was able to get out in public again and I want to be able to provide that for other veterans.”
Elwart aims to start her own program that helps injured veterans have easy and affordable access to service dogs, to help their recovery process. She plans to use the new Chevrolet Traverse to launch her service dog program, by transporting dogs to visit veterans in Florida.
“AutoNation is honored once again to partner with TrueCar and their DrivenToDrive program in recognizing U.S. Army CPT Elena Elwart for her service and presenting her with a brand new Chevrolet Traverse,” said Marc Cannon, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for AutoNation.
In addition to Elwart and her family, the event was attended by AutoNation Chief Marketing Officer Marc Cannon, DAV Former National Chaplain Charles Edwards, Team RWB Chief Advancement Officer Megan King and TrueCar CEO Chip Perry.
For more information about DrivenToDrive and its mission please visit www.truecar.com/driventodrive.
DIGITAL MEDIA INCLUDED WITH THIS RELEASE:
- High resolution photography from the event. All images are cleared for your usage. Please credit: TrueCar https://www.dropbox.com/sh/52de0g8rdcqxzh7/AACgGpt9zOHkBzss0CjEMScca?dl=0
About TrueCar
TrueCar, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRUE) is a digital automotive marketplace that provides comprehensive pricing transparency about what other people paid for their cars and enables consumers to engage with TrueCar Certified Dealers who are committed to providing a superior purchase experience. TrueCar operates its own branded site and its nationwide network of more than 15,000 Certified Dealers also powers car-buying programs for some of the largest U.S. membership and service organizations, including USAA, AARP, American Express, AAA and Sam's Club. Over one half of all new car buyers engage with the TrueCar network during their purchasing process. TrueCar is headquartered in Santa Monica, California, with offices in San Francisco and Austin, Texas. For more information, go to www.truecar.com. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
About AutoNation, Inc.
AutoNation, America’s largest automotive retailer, is transforming the automotive industry through its bold leadership, innovation, and comprehensive brand extensions. As of September 30, 2018, AutoNation owned and operated over 325 locations from coast to coast. AutoNation has sold over 11 million vehicles, the first automotive retailer to reach this milestone. AutoNation’s success is driven by a commitment to delivering a peerless experience through customer-focused sales and service processes. Through its Drive Pink initiative, AutoNation is committed to drive out cancer, create awareness and support critical research. AutoNation continues to be a proud supporter of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and other cancer-related charities.
Please visit investors.autonation.com, www.autonation.com, www.autonationdrive.com, www.twitter.com/autonation, www.twitter.com/CEOMikeJackson, www.facebook.com/autonation, and www.facebook.com/CEOMikeJackson, where AutoNation discloses additional information about the Company, its business, and its results of operations.
About DAV:
DAV empowers veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. It is dedicated to a single purpose: fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served. DAV does this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill; providing employment resources to veterans and their families and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life. DAV, a non-profit organization with more than 1 million members, was founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932. Learn more at www.dav.org.
About Team RWB
Team RWB’s mission is to enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity. Team RWB defines enrichment as creating quality relationships and experiences that contribute to life satisfaction and overall well-being. The concept of enrichment consists of three core components—health, people, and purpose—that comprise a rich life. Health: Creating frequent opportunities for team members to connect through fitness, sports, and recreation to improve physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. People: Creating authentic connections (defined as genuine, quality, supportive relationships that generate mutual trust and accountability), reflected in an increased number of close relationships and improvements in teammates’ sense of belonging, purpose, and community engagement. Purpose: Engaging members in meaningful team and community-based experiences such as leadership and service that, beyond physical and social activities, renew self-identity and purpose in life. Team RWB accomplishes their mission via our two core programs: our Chapter and Community Program and our Eagle Leadership Development Program. Learn more about Team RWB and how to get involved by joining the team at teamrwb.org/join
Contact: Jackie Reau
Game Day Communications
(513) 929-4263 | jreau@gamedaypr.com