JILL SCHRAMM/MDN Noah Turner, left, and Jeremy Buller, owner of ABRA Auto Body in Minot, hold a symbolic key to the Chevrolet Impala behind them. Turner received the refurbished, donated car through the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides program. The presentation took place Saturday, May 30, during the “Cruisin’ for a Cause” car show hosted by ABRA .

Thanks to area donors and a national recycling program, Noah Turner will be heading home to North Carolina in style soon.

Turner was presented with a refurbished 2015 Chevrolet Impala on Saturday, May 30, through the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides program. The presentation was made during the “Cruisin’ for a Cause” car show hosted by ABRA Auto Body in Minot to support Easterseals-Goodwill.

Turner served as an airman in Security Forces with the 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base for the past year and half. Now separating from the military after almost two years, his goal has been to rejoin his family. However, life hasn’t been cooperating.

“This has been a really rough year for me,” Turner said. “I had three family members pass away and I only made one of their funerals.” One of those deaths was his grandfather, with whom he was close.

Turner was already feeling low when the vehicle he had owned for only a year broke down just as he was looking forward to driving home, where he could be with family and take in his younger brothers’ games. Repair bills were beyond his means.

“I just kept praying,” he said. “God heard one of my prayers and he blessed me with this car and these people. I want to thank everyone involved in this. I want to thank God. So, friends and family, I’m coming home.”

A hail-damaged vehicle was donated by Nodak Mutual Insurance. ABRA Auto Body facilitated the repair and performed the labor, with donations and other help from Elite Dent, Suburban Chevy, Big O Tires, Sparks Auto Dakotaland (PGW) and Too Dark Designs. Cash Wise Foods, Advanced Remarketing Services, Copart and Cars for Charity also were partners.

ABRA owner Jeremy Buller said the different entities worked together under the umbrella of NABC Recycled Rides, which serves to provide reliable transportation to people in need and organizations that serve them.

“For someone who doesn’ have a vehicle, everyday tasks that you and I think nothing of, such as going to the drugstore, grocery store, of course, work, can be a real challenge. Since 2007, the Recycled Rides program has presented more than 3,750 vehicles, valued at more than $67 million, to people in need – veterans, military families, single mothers and charitable organizations across America. In fact, up to 75% of NABC’s Recycled Rides vehicles are gifted to veterans or military members,” Buller said.

Minot AFB helped identify Turner as someone who could benefit from the program. The nomination described Turner as a young man with excellent potential, bolstered by the life lessons learned in the military, including the challenges of being far from home.

“Turner has grown in his skill set. His time in the Air Force has been an education but he is a good team member and has made friends in his assignment. This refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides program will enable him to extend his education, as he plans to continue improving his life, explore continued education and visit his home and family that he misses so very much,” the nomination stated.

Buller said it’s always been his dream to fix wrecked cars and donate them to people in need. His mission to do so is only getting stronger, he said, as he and his brother, Matt, who together have five auto body locations, plan to give a car away at each of those businesses this year.