Caliber Collision’s nationwide “Tis the Season to Give” campaign honored two soldiers from North Texas with free cars. Farmers Insurance provided the vehicles, and volunteers from Caliber Collision refurbished them.
Caliber Collision stated, “We want to make this holiday season one to remember, so we’re giving away fully restored vehicles to deserving families across the country.”
According to NBC DFW, a Ford Focus and a Chevy Impala were gifted to Austin Sorge and Barrett Chittam at the celebration “Holidays and Heroes.” The event also involved gifts and toys being presented to fifteen military families who live in the local area.
Founder and President of “Holidays and Heroes” Kerre Randel Ortegel revealed 133 families stationed at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base received presents. The base’s commanding officers nominated the families who received gifts and toys.
FOX 4 News reported Austin Sorge had served the United States Navy since 2017. For the past four years, he has been helping his mother pay her medical bills, leaving him struggling with money to buy a new car.
Barrett Chittman has been serving the U.S. Navy for one year and has a wife and two children. His only family car started to have mechanical issues causing it to no longer be reliable.
Upon receiving the car, Chittman’s wife, Bethany, said, “It warms our hearts, honestly. I mean, military service members, I don’t think they get enough recognition. And especially the kids, the kids go through a lot of being away from their moms and dads. So, I think this is a really neat way to show their appreciation for the families.”
“For families who sacrifice so much, being able to [spend] Christmas together can be the best gift of all,” NBC DFW stated.
