AutoNation, TrueCar and wear blue: run to remember all collaborated to give a vehicle to a Gold Star Family member through the DrivenToDrive initiative.

TrueCar’s DrivenToDrive initiative was started in 2016, inspired by Army Ranger and DrivenToDrive ambassador, Cory Remsburg, who was severely injured while serving in Afghanistan.

According to a news release, the program is designed to honor the sacrifices made by the members who serve, and their families by supporting their mobility needs. This marks the seventh consecutive vehicle awarded through the DrivenToDrive program.

The vehicle recipient was Elisabeth Nylander, who is the daughter of fallen service member, Air Force Captain Nathan Nylander, who lost his life in battle during the war in Afghanistan.

To honor the sacrifices he made, Nylander was presented with a new Chevrolet Equinox at a wear blue event in Washington, D.C. earlier this month in an effort to support the Nylander family and her continued dedication to serve other Gold Star families as part of her volunteer work.

TrueCar partnered with ACERTUS, an omnichannel automotive logistics platform with the shared commitment of supporting American military veterans, to deliver the vehicle from Washington D.C. to Florida to assist with Nylander’s recent move.

“I am so incredibly grateful to have been given the opportunity to share my father’s legacy and values through this process,” Nylander said in the news release. “I am so thankful for the support that TrueCar has provided me as I begin graduate school and my new life in Washington D.C. I cannot thank TrueCar enough for providing me with a brand-new car.”

Much like her father, the news release highlighted Nylander is a driven and high-achieving individual, graduating high school at the age of 17 and recently graduating college this May. She is committed to her community and supporting military service members through an internship at TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) while also actively volunteering with wear blue.

Nylander will begin a master’s program this fall in forensic and legal psychology at Marymount University in Arlington, Va. She plans to focus her studies on investigations to achieve her career goal of working with the federal government to help bring closure to people who have lost loved ones like she has.

“As we’ve gotten to know Elisabeth, it’s clear how passionate she is about giving back and improving the lives of others — values that we also cherish at TrueCar,” said David Green, senior vice president of dealer solutions and military initiatives at TrueCar.

“We’re thrilled to have an opportunity to give back to Elisabeth through the DrivenToDrive initiative, so she can begin the next chapter of her life with renewed independence and a focus on supporting her communities,” Green continued.

Marc Cannon is executive vice president and chief customer experience officer at AutoNation.

“AutoNation is proud to partner with TrueCar once again, to support veterans and their families through the DrivenToDrive initiative, and we are honored to recognize Gold Star Family member, Elisabeth Nylander, in honor of her father’s dedication to our country,” Cannon said. “We hope this new vehicle will support her continued drive and perseverance in memory of her father.”

Lisa Hallett is executive director at wear blue.

“I am in awe of the courage and passion of our surviving families. Elisabeth Nylander is an incredible example of how to live inspired by life, rather than broken by sacrifice,” Hallett said.

“TrueCar has turned the words ‘Thank you for your service and sacrifice’ into tangible meaningful action, and I am honored to collaborate this Memorial Day. Together, we will ensure that generations of American heroes are honored and remembered,” she went on to say.

For more information about DrivenToDrive, its mission, past recipients, and ways to get involved, visit https://www.truecar.com/driventodrive/.