A Bay area veteran got a special thanks for her service just a few days after Memorial Day.
When Tanya Mann, a single working mother of a special needs child, found herself without a car, Wheels of Success stepped up to help her.
"I’m just without words," she said. "I’m appreciative, very much appreciative."
With a demanding full-time job and a 3-year-old son, the retired Army soldier has been making ends meet with no car.
"It was so rough," she said.
When organizers with Wheels of Success heard her story, they gave her a 2007 Kia Rio.
The non-profit organization helps provide transportation to Tampa Bay area residents who are employed but struggle to get to work because they don’t have cars.
State Farm donated the car and Gettel Toyota paid for the repairs.
“She fought for our country, she’s defending our country, so it makes me extremely proud that we can support her,” said Jose Soto with State Farm.
“We’re just taking opportunity to give something back,” said Fred Bartholomew, with Gettel Toyota.
Although the car was donated to Mann, she will have to do some work to keep it. As part of the program, she'll be making a monthly payment of $50 to $100 for a full year. She will also do some community service hours.
Lisa Ferrer with Wheels of Success said that's part of what makes the program so successful.
"By them paying something for vehicle, it gives them a sense of ownership," she said. "It’s not a handout, it’s helping us pay it forward because their payment in affect helps us help the next family get into a vehicle."
Since 2003, Wheels of Success has given out more than 470 cars.