‘It means everything to me’: Homeless Jacksonville veteran receives new vehicle

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Navy veteran in Jacksonville received what he’s calling a “life-changing” gift Tuesday morning.

Scott Davis was handed the keys to a payment-free 2022 GMC Sierra Crew Cab truck.

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The moment was made possible through Key Auto Company, the Gary Sinise Foundation and Wells Fargo.

“It means everything to me,” Davis said.

The Gary Sinise Foundation is also paying Davis’ auto insurance for the next year and gave him a $2,000 gas gift card.

Davis is homeless and in transitional housing right now.

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David told Action News Jax reporter Kennedy Dendy that he puts about 40 miles a week on his crutches.

“I need this car more than I need a home right now, because of where this car can get me to where I want to be,” Davis said.

Davis said the impact of this gift allows him to impact the lives of others. He’ll have the opportunity to finish his mental health license, work with Special Olympics athletes and take his sign language classes.

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Tanya Sanders works with Wells Fargo and is the head of Wells Fargo Auto.

“It’s pretty overwhelming,” Sanders said. “To see our veterans who serve our country with significant sacrifice receive gifts like this and receive support from not only the community from companies like Wells Fargo, the Gary Sinise Foundation and Key Auto Company – it’s a huge accomplishment for them to be able to get this donation.’”

Davis has navigated life without a vehicle for seven years.

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He and his service dog walk between six to seven miles a day – and he crutches two miles to the grocery store.

“This is going to open up a career, so I can get to work again,” Davis said. “This is going to let me get back into hobbies, get back into community service and volunteering. I can see family members. I can travel.”

Bill Lynch is the president of Lynch Auto Group, Key Auto Company and North Florida Lincoln.

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“We were so touched when our dealership got selected to provide the GMC Sierra for Scott,” Lynch said.

Petty Officer Second Class Davis joined the Navy in 1997 and was deployed to Iraq in 2003 with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Shortly after returning home, Davis had hip replacement surgery, but due to complications from an infection, Davis had 42 hip and femur replacement surgeries over an eight-year period before finally having his entire leg amputated from the hip down.

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“It’s a beautiful gift to know that we are helping someone who has sacrificed so much by helping them restore their independence and support and empower them in their next journey,” said Vanessa Bauman with the Gary Sinise Foundation.

After the ceremony, the Gary Sinise Foundation provided free meals to local first responders, veterans, and the larger Jacksonville community as part of the Gary Sinise Foundation’s “Serving Heroes” program.

“This is going to open up so much for me,” Davis said. “It’s life changing.”

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