Professional Collision awarded by Foley Veterans

By Jessica Vaughn / jessica@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 1/18/18

FOLEY – On Thursday, Jan. 18, members of the Foley VA presented a certificate to Professional Collision Foley for their thoughtfulness and kind act that they showed towards veterans.

“On …

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Professional Collision awarded by Foley Veterans

Photo by Jessica Vaughn
Posted

FOLEY – On Thursday, Jan. 18, members of the Foley VA presented a certificate to Professional Collision Foley for their thoughtfulness and kind act that they showed towards veterans.

“On behalf of Gulf Coast veterans and healthcare system patients and staff, I wish to extend personal thanks and appreciation to you and the employees at Professional Collision, Foley, for repairing the Foley VA van at no cost to the VA,” said VA member Andrew Leon of Magnolia Springs.

In 1996, the Foley VA began an operation to help provide veterans transportation to and from medical appointments, at no cost to them.

“We have about ten volunteer drivers,” said Leon. “We originate at the Foley Police Station, and five days a week we run to Mobile to pick up patients from the outpatient clinic, take them to the Biloxi VA clinic in Mississippi, wait for their appointment, then bring them back to Foley … We put on the van 200 miles a day, so we drive 1,000 miles a week.”

The government helps by providing fuel to the program, and local veterans work to put on fundraisers annually to raise money to provide a new van to the service every five or six years.

It was not until 2017 that the VA witnessed the first accident since the program began. While no personal injuries occurred, the van received damage and needed repairs.

“I spoke with a gentleman who worked with this company,” said Leon. “I was getting estimates, and he looked the van over and said, ‘Yeah, I can fix it for you.’ And I said, ‘Well, I need an estimate.’ But he said, ‘Nah, you don’t need an estimate.’ I thought he was a mechanic, I asked if he had the capacity to do that. And he said, ‘Yes sir, my family and I own the company.’”

The vehicle was left at the location, and Leon was told that it might take longer than usual as the mechanics would be working on it around the regular shop. Approximately three weeks later the Foley VA had their van back and running.

“Estimates received from other collision centers in the area were in the $6,000 range,” Leon said. “Because of Professional Collison’s generosity the van was repaired and put back into service with minimum downtime, thus allowing us to transport veterans to and from their medical appointments at the Biloxi VA medical center. Their thoughtfulness reflects the concern they feel for our veterans and for the services they provided us.”

Professional Collision has been in the community for 40 years and is family owned. The company is proud to be part of assisting local veterans and to be part of the community.

If any veterans are interested in the Foley VA’s transportation service, contact Andrew Leon at 251-979-9562.

To contact Professional Collision Foley, call 251-943-8102.