WAKEFIELD — Superintendent David DiBarri is pleased to share that students will present a vehicle they repaired to a local veteran on Monday, as part of their partnership with the nonprofit Second Chance Cars.
WHEN:
Monday, June 7 at 10 a.m.
WHERE:
Northeast Metro Tech 100 Hemlock Road, Wakefield
WHAT:
Recently, students at Northeast Metro Tech worked with instructors to repair a 2004 Prius in partnership with Second Chance Cars, a Concord based nonprofit that awards affordable donated cars to working people; Bedford Veterans Affairs; American Consumer Credit Counseling and Metro Credit Union.
On Monday students, staff and representatives of Second Chance Cars will come together to present the vehicle to Ben Baia of Leominster, who served in the Marine Corps from 2014-2018. During that time he earned the rank of Sergeant as well as his black belt from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. His military occupational specialty (MOS) was field artillery fire direction controlman.
Baia chose not to re-enlist in order to spend more time with his mother, who was seriously ill and later passed away. Baia has lost both parents, but despite the hardships he’s faced has a happy life today. He is currently pursuing an associate’s degree in Fire Science at Mount Wachusett Community College and hopes to become a firefighter. In the short term he is looking to become an armed security guard. He also is happily married, has a step-son he adores and two dogs. Sharing a car with his wife has posed a significant challenge, however, and the repaired Prius will alleviate that hurdle and limitations it posed to job and education opportunities.
Second Chance Cars is able to operate thanks to the donations of gently used vehicles from the public. To learn more about the nonprofit and the vehicle donation process, visit www.secondchancecars.org
Members of the media are welcome and are asked to RSVP by contacting Kelsey Bode at kelsey@jgpr.net before the event. Media members are required to wear a face mask or covering, and to practice social distancing.
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