American Legion Post 45 and the Cherokee County Homeless Veteran program created a lifeline for veterans in need of valuable transportation who cannot afford it. On Thursday July 2, ahead of the July 4 weekend, this program donated four vehicles - #83,84, 85 and 86 - to qualified veterans who registered for this program going back some months ago.
The program, which has been in operation since 2018, has provided donated vehicles to 86 veterans who meet the program requirements and have been vetted in accordance with the program guidelines. according to Jim Lindenmayer, executive director for the Homeless Veterans program and Post 45 service officer. The four vehicles were provided to three 100% SC VA disabled veterans who have no vehicles and need transportation - not only for them, but two for medical appointments for their family members. Two Army veterans, one Navy veteran and one Marine received these vehicles.

The program provides vehicles, not funds, to offset program expenses, noted Lindenmayer. We have been donated 121 vehicles, of which 86 have turned out to be road-worthy. Every vehicle donated to our program goes through a complete vehicle diagnostic provided by the Canton Christian Brothers automotive organization. Based on what the diagnostic tells us, we make a financial decision as to whether our program can afford to make necessary repairs to be able to donate it. We have to retitle the vehicle to The American Legion, and when we donate it we charge the veteran $1 to make the transaction legal.

This has been a great program as it supports veterans who are 70% or more service-connected disabled, a young veteran with small children or a homeless veteran with a vehicle they cannot afford but need. Transportation in rural Georgia is a must to have a vehicle, as there are no regional mass transit systems to get our veterans around. The program has donated vehicles all across the state of Georgia and of the 86 vehicles we have donated, 78 are still on the road.

Not every veteran is approved. You must meet program requirements, afford insurance and have a valid driver's license. We are open to all vehicle types for donation. We thank those who have donated vehicles to our program over the years. Our goal would be to give our 100th vehicle away this year, but we can only hope we have the vehicles to make it happen.