POUGHKEEPSIE – Navy veteran Sharone Fuller and her family received an early gift from Santa Claus on Thursday. With the assistance of Lisa and Kevin Eckler of Foreign Car Specialists (FCS) in Poughkeepsie, the Fuller family was given a 2007 Toyota Camry that was donated by an anonymous customer of FCS.
Fuller spent six years in the Navy, including two years of sea service, two deployments, and was awarded the Kosovo Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars. The married mother of three has been struggling because they didn’t have reliable transportation. Fuller had applied to the MHA Dutchess Vet2Vet Veterans’ Employment Training & Transitions Assistance Program, known as Vet-Tap.
At about the same time, the Ecklers had contacted Vet2Vet saying that a customer of theirs had a 2007 Toyota Camry that they wanted to donate to a veteran in need. The Ecklers prepared the car and Vet2Vet recommended that Sharone Fuller be the recipient. Fuller is in the process of being hired by Vet2Vet as a Crisis Counselor and said Fuller said she looks forward to being able to get back and forth to work helping people, without any car troubles.
At the future second location of FCS (the former Montgomery Ward Auto Center) at 1937 South Road in Poughkeepsie, The Ecklers gathered with Frank Castella from the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce and Vet2Vet staff to make the presentation to Sharone and her family.
On cue, one of the bay doors opened and the Camry came rolling out, with Santa Claus behind the wheel. He parked the car, gave a small treat to the children, and then presented Sharone with the keys to the vehicle that had been fully serviced by FCS.
The joyous Mrs. Fuller told Mid-Hudson News what the car means to her, saying “Stability. This car means stability for us to be able to get to appointments and be able to provide for the family in the new year.”
Victoria Newman of Vet2Vet added, “We are thankful for FCS and their client. This car will not only provide reliable transportation for Sharone to work but it also makes her job as a mom a little easier.”
FCS had arranged for the car to be inspected and Fuller provided the registration and insurance. Kevin Eckler put the license plates on while Lisa Eckler said, “It is an honor for us to be able to help a veteran, with the support of our clients, who want to remain anonymous. We thank you for your service and are happy to present you with this token of our appreciation.”
The Eckler family also presented Fuller with a $500 gift card for the holidays.
