Two companies teamed up with volunteers from St. Vincent de Paul to give one local struggling family a Christmas to remember. On Dec. 20, Tom and Shelly Bauer were presented with a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer that was donated by the Progressive Insurance Service Center in Sharonville. The vehicle was declared salvaged following an accident and was repaired thanks to Woods Collision Center in Eastgate.

The Bauers are in their 50’s, and each struggles with multiple disabilities and has fallen on difficult times following a series of strokes suffered by Tom Bauer. They were selected as recipients by St. Martin District Council of St. Vincent de Paul at the suggestion of members of the St. Vincent de Paul Conference (volunteer group) at St. Columban Parish in Loveland. Members of the conference have helped them with food, household items and other basic necessities. The vehicle will allow them easier transportation to the grocery store, pharmacy and medical appointments.

“We’ve just run into one difficulty after another with our health and sometimes it’s very discouraging,” said Tom Bauer, “But then something wonderful like this happens. We just can’t thank Progressive and Wood’s Collision Center enough for what they’ve done for us. We are blessed.”

The donation was in conjunction with Recycled Rides, a program of the National Auto Body Council (NABC) through which members of NABC repair and donate recycled vehicles to families in need. Woods Collision Center is a member of NABC.

“Our goal through Recycled Rides and at Woods Collision Center is to help people in our local community,” said Tim Wood, principal and owner of Woods Collision Center. “We’re proud that our staff has gotten involved and they really feel a part of this important project.”

In addition to the car, the couple was given one year of full auto insurance coverage and other assistance courtesy of the staff and agents of Progressive’s Sharonville Service Center.

“One of the best things for me about Progressive is the wonderful people I get to work with,” said Ryan Murphy, service manager at Progressive Auto Insurance.  “We are very fortunate to be able to help others in our community through the Recycled Rides program and through our relationship with local businesses like Woods Collision Center.”

Representatives at Progressive and Woods Collision Center worked with staff at The Cincinnati District Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to arrange and ensure a clear transfer of the title from Progressive to the family.