A Rhode Island Honda dealership has donated a wheelchair-accessible van to a local college student with spinal muscular atrophy.
Grieco Honda supplied the vehicle to Ciarra Muller, who recently started her major in journalism at the Community of College of Rhode Island. Muller and her family originally contacted the company to refit their family van for a wheelchair. “We heard about their story, saw the van they had, and it was nowhere where she could take it to school as safe transportation,” said co-owner of the Honda dealership Robert Grieco, speaking to local media station 10WJAR. “We happened to have a van that we traded that was a handicapped van, so what better way to give them a new van than to surprise them with it.”
Grieco Automotive Group, which owns 13 locations across Rhode Island, Florida, California, and Massachusetts, also presented Muller with a $3,000 check to help her purchase school supplies. Her van will also receive free maintenance from the Honda dealership. Speaking to the Johnston Sunrise, Muller’s mother, Lacie Messier, said the family was “grateful beyond words.”
Like many automotive retailers, the Grieco Honda dealership is an integral part of its community. Thanks to the lucrative nature of the automotive industry, dealers have immense power to support those in need and are among the largest contributors to local charities and nonprofits. With school starting up once more and the holidays around the corner, there are more opportunities than ever for storefronts to make a positive impact.
