Lincoln Army Veteran Receives Car Through Progressive Giveaway - WOWT

“I just want to say that miracles still happen,” Ashley Jones said.

A Lincoln U.S. Army veteran and mother pursuing a nursing degree received a reliable vehicle Tuesday through Progressive Insurance’s annual Keys to Progress giveaway, WOWT reported.

Jones, who served four years in the Army both overseas and locally, received the keys at B Street Collision in Omaha, according to KETV. Before the donation, she relied entirely on public transportation and rideshares, a routine that sometimes involved walking two to three hours just to get home after a long day.

The vehicle will help Jones manage household needs, travel to work, and continue her education while working toward a goal of starting a business. Jordan Fichtl of Progressive Insurance explained that matching recipients with vehicles comes down to understanding daily life after service.

“Being kind of back in regular everyday life and knowing what she is going through and being able to provide this for her made it a perfect match,” Fichtl told WOWT.

Fichtl described the donated vehicle as a very nice car in great shape with low mileage, chosen specifically to ensure it lasts a long time for the recipient. Alongside the car, Progressive Insurance provided six months of complimentary insurance coverage.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car partners with the program to help secure vehicles for veterans who need dependable transportation. More than 100 veterans across the country received vehicles through this year’s nationwide effort, according to KETV.

“It is something that we take a lot of pride in. But at the same time it is kind of a small token of appreciation for everything that our veterans have done and sacrificed for this country,” Fichtl told WOWT.

Since the Keys to Progress program began in 2013, it has donated more than 1,300 vehicles to veterans and military families. Progressive Insurance stated that organizers begin the selection process about six months ahead of the event by coordinating with military charities.