Iraq War Veteran Awarded Brand New Vehicle Through TrueCar DrivenToDrive Program


STERLING, Va., May 18, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TrueCar and AutoNation today donated a 2018 Honda Ridgeline to Ret. U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Goodrich at a special event held at the AutoNation Honda Dulles in Sterling, VA.

The vehicle donation marked the second year of the DrivenToDrive program, a partner program between TrueCar and DAV (Disabled American Veterans). DrivenToDrive was created to help injured veterans regain the freedom they’ve fought and sacrificed so much for, by helping them get back behind the wheel of vehicles retrofitted for their needs.

Father of two kids, Goodrich suffered traumatic brain and leg injuries in combat while serving the country during deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. The injured leg is confined to a brace which prevents Goodrich from driving or sitting in a compact vehicle for more than 20 minutes at a time due to discomfort and pain.

“After my time in the service, my wife and I decided to dedicate our lives to helping other veterans rehabilitate and recover through art therapy,” said Sgt. Goodrich. “I would not be able to reach and help as many people without the help of this new vehicle.”

Goodrich’s military-themed art has garnered national acclaim, with his work having been exhibited at the National Museum of Health and Medicine and appearing in a number of national publications.

“AutoNation is honored to join with TrueCar in recognizing Sgt. Michael Goodrich and his family for their service and presenting them a brand new Honda Ridgeline,” said Marc Cannon, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for AutoNation.

In addition to Goodrich and his family, the event was attended by AutoNation CMO Marc Cannon, Assistant Executive Director of DAV National Service and Legislative Headquarters Randy Reese, and TrueCar CEO Chip Perry.

For more information about DrivenToDrive and its mission, visit www.truecar.com/driventodrive.

Media Contact: Jackie Reau, Game Day Communications, jreau@gamedaypr.com, 513.708.5822

A video accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/41113cae-4bd5-4f86-830c-383f5ddde0a0

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a8ff1627-563a-473d-84ca-c36ca44f4e6d

Ret. U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Goodrich awarded new car through DrivenToDrive program by TrueCar