An Army veteran and single mother from Copiague was surprised with a free car Thursday thanks to the help of a charitable organization and State Farm Insurance.
Nicole Malloy, mother of three and a brain tumor survivor, was left stranded weeks ago when her car broke down. Her case manager then called 911 Veterans, a nonprofit organization that specializes in helping Long Island veterans in need.
"We sent out the feelers, we reached out to everybody and they stepped up," says John Jex, of 911 Veterans.
State Farm Insurance in Port Jefferson Station located a 2007 Toyota Camry, a retired corporate car in Virginia, and agreed to donate it.
"It's a small effort for our company to do, to pay back veterans for their service and the risk they took," says Steve Wisotsky, of State Farm Insurance.
Wisotsky rallied local businesses and nonprofits to donate $1,000 to transport the car to Long Island.
When the car arrived in Port Jefferson Station, it had some scratches and needed servicing. Michael's Auto Collision offered to fix it up free of charge.
Mallory told News 12 Long Island that she is overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers.
"Everybody's so nice…You don't get this every day. So I'm like, wow!" she says.