ANDOVER — Superintendent John Lavoie is pleased to share that Greater Lawrence Technical School students recently repaired a car that has been donated to a veteran so that he has transportation for work.
Students, staff, and representatives of the non-profit Second Chance Cars presented the Ford Fiesta to U.S. Army veteran Kevin Trayers of Melrose. Trayers works full-time in security in Boston. His current vehicle with 180,000 miles was no longer safe, and Trayers was at risk of losing his job.
“For 32 years, people have been telling me, ‘Thank you for your service.’ I want to tell each and every one of you, ‘Thank you for your service,’” Trayers told the group. “You have answered a call of honor.”
“We want our students to have hands-on, real world experiences,” Superintendent Lavoie said. “Our students are also having that experience to help someone who truly needs help.”
“It’s important because this is a really good cause,” said student Joshua Alcantara of Lawrence. “We’re doing something for someone who needs help.”
Trayers was referred to Second Chance Cars by Will Hatley, an employment specialist with the Veterans Administration in Bedford.
“Veterans face a lot of barriers, from legal issues to Social Security and child support,” Hatley said. “Transportation is the number one issue. A job is important, but transportation is a basic way to get to work, and to provide support for your family.”
Dan Holin, Executive Director of Second Chance Cars, told those gathered, “Because of your efforts, our community of goodness is delivering a car to a veteran in need today.”
Second Chance Cars operates thanks to the donations of gently used vehicles from the public. To learn more about the nonprofit and the vehicle donation process, visit www.secondchancecars.org.
View a video of the event here.