PHOENIX — 12News honors those who serve.
On Tuesday in the East Valley, our team was able to capture the moment Air Force veteran Steve Mason received a car, thanks in part to several community entities embracing the needs of our vets.
"Meineke Mike" with Meineke Car Care Center understands the need among Veterans when it comes to basic auto repairs.
"Seeing some of my brothers and sisters needing help, is part of the reason why we're trying to do this. Whether it’s their AC fixed in the summer or even a radiator, sometimes they just don't have the funds to get it fixed," he explained.
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To make matters worse, Mason was the victim of an auto theft back in July.
The theft made it difficult for Mason who commutes from Tucson to Phoenix for nursing school at Arizona State University.
That's when Mike and Marcus Brown with Veterans 5-9, a local group that helps Veterans with services 24-7, stepped in to find a solution to the problem.
"This is one of those situations where our services can help assist a Veteran without all the red tape. Essentially, we’re able to connect them quickly with the resources they need," Brown explained.
Both Mike and Brown served our country and understand the hardships that come with going from military to civilian life. So they rallied the troops to step up and help a fellow brother in Mason, and make sure he has what he needs to succeed.
"We hope this will be a tool to help him stay on track with school and feel empowered to follow his dreams, after his 10-year service with our United States Air Force," Mike added.
With the help of the Meineke team, a 2004 Chevy Malibu Max was not only donated by a Valley family but it's now gotten a grade-A tune-up, along with some costs covered by Republic Services.
"We couldn't have done it without our amazing team of technicians who spent their own time working on this car for Mason. Plus, republic Services stepped in to help cover some of the costs for repairs," he said.
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12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.