Local Body Shop Helps Veteran Get Car

A Paducah body shop has played a key role in providing a war veteran with a much-needed car.

State Farm Insurance donated the car, which was economically a total loss and Randy's Body Shop totally restored it, donating all of their work associated with the project.

The United States Army veteran, Ronald Dahl of Nashville, had lost his job in Maine and was homeless until Operation Stand Down helped him and his family find a home. They also were without a vehicle, so the National Auto Body Council Recycle Rides Program stepped in to help.

Dahl was presented with a 2010 Nissan Altima on Friday. He told WSMV-TV, "I’ve never had a feeling like this, overwhelming, it’s overwhelming." He said he had been walking up to 10 miles a day and this will be a big change for his family.

Brad Wiersma, of Randy's Body Shop, told West Kentucky Star that it was a tremendous honor for their business to be involved with such an important mission. Wiersma, who was at the presentation Friday in Nashville, said he became "rather emotional," and said that they were looking forward to being involved in the next presentation, which he hopes will be soon.

The National Auto Body Council says its goal for 2018 is to donate a vehicle every single day to those in need. As of Friday, it is on track to make that goal.

Since 2007, they have given over 1,700 vehicles valued at more than $22 million.