US Army veteran gifted free car through Lebanon body shop, nonprofit organization

Army veteran Eddie Ossorio never had a vehicle all his own before Oct. 30. As a disabled veteran, he mostly used the bus or Uber to get to appointments, which was a big expense when he needed to travel.

“I spent between $200 and $300 a month on transportation, going back and forth,” the 57-year-old Harrisburg resident said. “Sometimes a little more, depending on how many times I have to go to the hospital.”

On Thursday, Oct. 30, R.J. Sell’s Body Shop in Lebanon, in conjunction with the Swing for the Troops Foundation, presented Ossorio with a refurbished 2019 Ford Fusion. Organizers said that the car only had 80,000 miles on it when it was donated.

Ossorio said he felt a little nervous having those keys put in his hands, especially since this would be the first car he’s ever officially owned. The only other car he’s had was a company car 30 years ago in New York City.

“It usually costed me about $150 round trip to get to (the) Lebanon hospital for my appointments,” he said. “Now I don’t have to worry about spending all that money on my appointments, so that helps a lot financially. I can actually go look for work now as well.”

This is the second year R.J. Sell’s Body Shop donated a vehicle to a veteran. The Lebanon-based business donated a refurbished 2019 Hyundai Tucson to former Army Staff Sgt. Darlene Wilson in September 2024 through the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides Program.

Ron Sell, owner of R.J. Sell’s Body Shop, said it only cost $2,000 to refurbish the vehicle this year. Most of the work included front and rear bumper covers, interior work and painting.

“If we can change someone’s life, which I think we did today, in giving them a vehicle … that’s what this really is about,” he said. “Making their life better. Easier for them to get around every day.”

This year, Sell’s worked with Swing for the Troops, an organization founded on giving back to servicemen and women in need. Founder and Army veteran Dr. Glen Mesaros said what originally started as a golf tournament has given over $100,000 in scholarships and raised over half a million dollars for veterans in need.

“We were trying to get this thing going, and their was a lot of restrictions and hard knocks,” Mesaros said about the vehicle donation. “So Ron took it and ran with it, but now I’m joining in. He’s going to get the cars, I’m going to get him the veterans.”

Swing for the Troops organizers are looking to create an application process on their website for future vehicle donations, according to Mesaros. Swing for the Troops does a golf tournament in May at the Lebanon Country Club, which Mesaros said would be when they could donate another vehicle to a veteran in need.

Organizers had a previous veteran they were going to donate the 2019 Ford Fusion to, but Sells said that veteran was not able to pay for the insurance. Organizers then reached out to Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania, who made them aware of Ossorio’s need for a vehicle.

Ossorio plans to use his new Fusion to find a manufacturing job in the Harrisburg or Carlisle area. He also plans to take his daughter and granddaughter for a ride sometime in the future.

“I’m grateful just for the way it is,” he said. “I could of got a Pinto and I would have been happy, but this is great. It’s got enough features for what I need it for.”

Sells said that organizers already have a vehicle in mind to donate in May, though he did not want to give away the model too soon.

“We’re going to keep doing it as long as I’m capable,” he said about future vehicle donations.

Residents looking to learn more about the Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania can visit veteransoutreachofpa.org. More information about Swing for the troops can be found on their website at swingforthetroops.com.