Bay Kia Norfolk

Single Navy Mom Receives Car for Christmas from Bay Kia and its Suppliers and Partners

Before she went on deployment aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, LS3 Lavetta Ryles totaled her car in an accident. But the single mother of two, who returned home to Hampton Roads Dec. 11, is no longer without transportation.

Bay Kia in Norfolk, along with auto paint supplier Nyquist (representing the AkzoNobel brand), presented Ryles with a fully reconditioned 2005 Kia Optima LX on Dec. 20. Kia Motors America Inc. donated a new engine, Bay Kia's Ted Cors performed mechanic work, and Master Painter Tony Pardo repainted the entire car. Many of Bay's suppliers generously donated parts, tires, a radio, warranty and other items.



Representatives of the participating vendors were on hand for the presentation, as was the owner of Ocean View Golf Course, which gave the sailor gifts for her children. Ryles, who is a Supply Petty Officer with VA-15 at NAS Oceana, will use the new wheels to retrieve her 13-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son from Ohio, where both children have lived with relatives since Ryles went off to sea in May.

"This project brought together a wonderful group of technicians and suppliers who donated their time and products for a service member who really needed some assistance," said Walter Wilkins, president of Bay Kia. "I cannot think of a better way to show the character and generosity of working people in our area than by letting them use their skills to perform a good deed."

Operation Homefront, working with John Panneton, a local U.S. Marine retiree and past national president of the U.S. Navy League, identified Ryles as a worthy recipient. "Making certain families are taken care of in times of deployment is what we do," said Carol Berg, executive director of Operation Homefront. "The donation of this car will certainly make a difference for her."

Ryles still has loan debt attributable to the totaled vehicle, and her financial difficulties have been exacerbated by medical costs incurred during her mother's ongoing cancer treatments. For that reason, an account has been established in Ryles' name for donations. Donors can send a check made out to Lavetta Ryles to TowneBank, 109 East Main Street, Norfolk, VA 23510, attn: Eida Ticzon.

The donation was prompted by The Benevolence Program, a 12-year long community service endeavor sponsored by AkzoNobel and implemented by collision repair centers that use the Sikkens brand refinishing system, as well as members of the AkzoNobel Acoat selected program. Its mission is to generate goodwill while improving and promoting the image of the collision repair industry.