Corvallis combat-wounded veteran honored with keys to new vehicle
Photo News Release | April 13, 2021
Wells Fargo and Power Auto Group donated a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse through Military Warriors Support Foundation at the dealership
CORVALLIS, OREGON – April 13, 2021 – For combat-wounded veterans, transitioning from the military back to civilian life can be a challenge. That, combined with the cost of a new vehicle, can put added burdens on our nation’s military service members and their families. To help, Wells Fargo teamed up with the Power Auto Group and Military Warrior Support Foundation to present a payment-free 2021 Chevrolet Traverse to retired U.S. Army Specialist Timothy Taylor during a special key ceremony on Monday, April 12, at the dealership.The donation comes during the Month of the Military Child, when the nation pauses to say thank you to the children of military service members for the sacrifices they experienced while their parents were overseas. We recognize the importance of having reliable transportation for families, which is why we are proud to provide retired U.S. Army Specialist Timothy Taylor and his family of seven with a new vehicle.
“The honor of receiving this vehicle is such a blessing for our family. We like to go camping, fishing, and hit the beaches here in Oregon, and having a safe, reliable vehicle is crucial during long trips,” Taylor said. “We are really excited to break free from the rainy weather and enjoy everything nature has to offer.”
The donation was made through Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Transportation4Heroes program, which awards payment-free vehicles and provides one year of family and financial mentorship to combat-wounded veterans and Gold Star families. According to the Foundation, the counseling has helped families in its program pay down, on average about $17,500 in debt.Timothy Taylor was born and raised in Corvallis, Ore. He joined the Oregon Army National Guard in 2007 and was assigned to the 162nd Engineer Company of Dallas, Ore. After training there for two years, Taylor was deployed to Afghanistan to support U.S. Marines and Allied British Forces as part of a Route Clearance Team, where his group was responsible for identifying and clearing I.E.D.s (improvised explosive device). During his deployment, Taylor encountered multiple firefights and multiple I.E.D.s, with the last I.E.D. causing a severe injury. Taylor received the Purple Heart for wounds he suffered in this attack, which ended his deployment in Afghanistan.Wells Fargo Auto, a division of Wells Fargo Consumer Lending, started the Sponsored Vehicle Donation Program in 2015, and since then has worked with auto dealerships across the country to sponsor the donation of more than 40 payment-free vehicles and family and financial mentoring, valued at over $1 million, to combat-wounded veterans and Gold Star families through Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Transportation4Heroes program.About Wells FargoWells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.92 trillion in assets. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. Founded in 2352 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through 7,200 locations, more than 13,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 31 countries and territories to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 30 on Fortune’s 2020 rankings of America’s largest corporations. News, insights and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.Additional information may be found at www.wellsfargo.com | Twitter: @WellsFargo.About Military Warriors Support FoundationMilitary Warriors Support Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, founded by LTG Leroy Sisco (Ret), in 2007. Their mission is to provide programs that facilitate a smooth and successful transition for our nation’s combat-wounded heroes and Gold Star families. Their programs focus on housing and homeownership, recreational activities, transportation assistance and leadership development. Through select programs, they have awarded nearly 900 mortgage-free homes and payment-free vehicles to combat-wounded heroes, Gold Star spouses and their families in all 50 states. In addition to the home or vehicle, the families receive family and financial mentoring. For more information, visit MilitaryWarriors.org.About Power Auto GroupAt Power Auto Group, we know that you have high expectations. As a car dealer we enjoy the challenge of meeting and exceeding those standards each and every time. Allow us to demonstrate our commitment to excellence! We have 9 locations throughout Oregon to service your automotive needs and we are confident that our commitment to customer service will keep you coming back again and again. Our stores are located in Sublimity, Salem, Corvallis, Newport and Lincoln City and we carry 12 vehicle lines including Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Mazda, Honda, Kia, Ford, Lincoln, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Volkswagen as well as 4 Motorcycle Lines Yamaha, Kawasaki, KTM, and CAN-AM. We also have a HUGE selection of pre-owned vehicles. For more information, visit www.powerautogroup.com.Media Contact InformationWells FargoDavid Kennedy, 907-830-3139kenneddj@wellsfargo.com@WellsFargo Military Warriors Support FoundationJohn Hill, 210-204-6863 ext. 112Media@militarywarriors.org@WarriorsSupportPower Auto GroupDrew Koehnke, 503-559-6013drew@powerautogroup.com