For more than 18 months, 68-year-old U.S. Army veteran Myron Hennen had been living in isolation and dealing with mental health struggles after his car was impounded due to run-ins with the law. Rural Grand Forks, North Dakota, was no place to try and get by without a vehicle, but Hennen’s fortunes took a turn when he met 42-year-old Air Force veteran Larry Mendivil Jr, through a veterans’ treatment court coordinator. Mendivil offered to repair an old Honda Accord for Hennen, providing him with essential transportation and newfound freedom.
After helping a friend whose vehicle had broken down, Mendivil realized how crucial transportation was for veterans trying to get by as civilians. So he founded a nonprofit, Miracles for Vets (Mv4), which offers veterans free rides, car repairs, and donates refurbished vehicles to those in need. Since 2018, Mendivil and his small team have helped over 300 veterans and donated 45 cars.
With support from community partners, including donated parts and services, Mv4 has become a lifeline for veterans in the area. And with help from his girlfriend and young son, Mendivil plans to continue his work for as long as he can, saying, “Helping veterans to stay mobile and giving them free cars is super important to me.”
Source: CBSNEWS
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