Long Beach High School automotive students, who had worked diligently to refurbish a 2009 Chevy Tahoe vehicle, presented a local U.S. Navy Veteran with its keys during the Long Beach Public Schools’ Board of Education meeting on Sept. 28.

The donation to Veteran Joe Braskey and his family was made possible thanks to the collaboration between the district and VFW 1384 Commander Dan MacPhee. Board of Education Vice President Anne Conway was instrumental in facilitating the partnership and opportunity.

A local company that owned the car asked the high school automotive program to perform the refurbishments while the money needed for the repairs was raised by the Auto Metal Club. Under the guidance of teacher James Johnsen, the students replaced the vehicle’s cooling system, spark plugs, wires, tires, and removed excess wiring from its former life as an ambulance responder car. In addition, they removed graphics, refurbished all general maintenance items and polished and waxed the body.

Students Jafet Valasquez and Aiden Regan joined Mr. Johnsen and Ms. Conway in handing the keys to Mr. Braskey, who graciously thanked everyone who helped make it happen.