ST. LOUIS -

In some cases, a reliable vehicle is the only thing standing between a U.S. military veteran and his or her dreams, said Mary Mahoney of the insurance replacement division at Enterprise Holdings.

“Our former military members deserve the opportunity to excel in life and we're determined to help prevent obstacles from standing in their way,” said Mahoney, who is vice president of the division at Enterprise Holdings, which owns the Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car, in observance of Veterans Day, will help veterans deal with one of those obstacles. The company is partnering with Progressive Insurance to provide newly refurbished vehicles to more than 100 veterans on Thursday as part of the companies’ Keys to Progress program.

The program began in 2013, and since then the company has donated more than 700 vehicles to veterans and their families. Just as it has done for the past six years, Enterprise Rent-A-Car will provide six months of automobile insurance to the recipient of each donated vehicle.

For the Keys to Progress program, Progressive partners with organizations such as the National Auto Body Council, The Original 1-800-Charity Cars, Veracity Research Co. Investigations, Copart, Insurance Auto Auctions, Pep Boys, local body shops and several military charities.

As for Enterprise, it began its tradition of honoring the military more than 60 years ago. At that time, its founder, Jack Taylor, named the company after the USS Enterprise. That is the aircraft carrier where Taylor served as a decorated World War II Hellcat pilot.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car says it continues supporting members of the military and their families by focusing on three areas — recruitment and hiring, local operations, and community relations.

Military veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserves currently make up more than 10% of Enterprise Holdings’ total U.S. workforce.

The company is also a member of the Military Spouse Employment Partnership, employing more than 2,000 military spouses.

“We are extremely proud of our rich military heritage, and we are honored to support our nation's service members and their families,” Enterprise Holdings senior vice president of North American Operations Will Withington said in a news release.

He added, “Giving back to our communities and supporting veterans and members of the military are two very important values to our company.”

Enterprise Holdings provides vehicle rental services at more than 60 U.S. military installations through the United States Marines Corps., Army & Air Force Exchange Service and Navy Exchange Service Command.  

Also, the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation has committed more than $6 million to the Fisher House Foundation since 2013. The Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and the Fisher House Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides no-cost lodging to the families of veterans receiving treatment at military medical centers.

The Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation donated $1,037,000 to Fisher House in fiscal year 2019. The foundation’s gift this year included a $1 million annual pledge and an additional $37,000 that was donated at the request of Enterprise employees as part of their charitable contributions each year. Fisher House used the money to help build homes across the country. Donation requests from employees have funded the construction of 82 homes so far.

Also, for the fifth consecutive year, Enterprise Car Sales is offering active U.S. military members, veterans and dependents a prepaid maintenance package with their purchase of a used vehicle throughout the month of November. Enterprise Car Sales is a service of Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

The maintenance offer is valued at $300. It is redeemable at any Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, Wheel Works and Hibdon Tires Plus location.

The offer is valid in all states, except California, Oregon and Illinois. These states are offering Kelley Blue Book value plus $750 toward vehicle trade ins.