Meritor announced Tuesday at Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) 2017 the extension of its successful “Shoes for Soldiers” for a third year, and that it will donate up to $60,000 from the sale of remanufactured brake shoes and corporate matching to a foundation that helps position severely wounded, injured or ill veterans for success.
Meritor says it will donate $50,000 from remanufactured brake shoe sales in addition to a $10,000 match from the Meritor Trust Fund to the Wyakin Foundation, which helps the veterans transition to leadership roles in business, government and their communities.
“Wounded veterans have served our country selflessly and bring unique backgrounds and skills to companies, organizations and communities,” says Brett Penzkofer, vice president, Aftermarket, North America for Meritor. “Our support of Wyakin helps veterans transition successfully to civilian lives.”
More than 51,000 members of the armed forces have been seriously wounded or injured in combat since the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, according to the Wyakin Foundation. Sixty percent of post-9/11 disabled veterans are unemployed or have dropped out of college. Wyakin’s program includes educational and financial support, monthly professional development seminars, community service projects and networking opportunities for job placement.
Thirty-two veterans are currently enrolled in the program, and Wyakin projects an additional 15 inductees in 2017. Fifteen veterans have graduated since the program began in 2011, with 11 expected to graduate this year. All alumni were placed in jobs within three months of graduation, according to Wyakin.
Veterans participating in the Boise, Idaho-based foundation’s comprehensive program are pursuing degrees in many areas, including engineering, business, criminal justice, education and computer science, Meritor says.
The annual program cost is $6,000 per participant.
