Woman donates car to Valley veteran in need

MESA, Ariz. (FOX 10) - U.S. Navy veteran Hollis Chapman has been making ends meet without a vehicle since last September.

"My vehicle broke down, finally after multiple times, so I started using the light rail, the bus system and Uber," Chapman said.

The 59-year-old works across town at a job that only pays up to 18 hours a week and although not having a car can make his work week difficult, Hollis also works a second job as a high school sports umpire.

"Some games I had to turn away because I couldn't get there through light rail or the bus system and Uber can be too expensive," he said.

After learning about Hollis' struggles, Mesa Veteran's Resource Center stepped in to help.

"A lady in her 90's who decided she shouldn't be driving anymore and what was great was her husband was a veteran and she wanted to give it to a veteran," Brian Lawson said.

This morning, the veteran's center was able to surprise the deserving Valley vet by gifting him with the keys to his new car.

"I know he's really excited because I know he knows this is going to open up a lot of doors for him," Lawson said.

"It feels good," Chapman said. "It feels good for me, but it feels good for everybody who's come together and put things together, so it's a good feeling to see everybody's excited. I'm happy... very happy!"