Down Syndrome of Southern Kentucky receives donated vehicle from Pinnacle Bank, NABC

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – On Monday, Pinnacle Financial Partners and the National Auto Body Council donated a refurbished Kia Soul to Down Syndrome of Southern Kentucky through its NABC Recycled Rides program.

The National Auto Body Council works to refurbish and repair old vehicles and donate them to individuals or organizations that are in need. Over the years, it has donated over 3,500 cars, which are valued at $51 million. With help from Pinnacle Financial, it has added DSSKY to its list of organizations helped.

This was a big donation for DSSKY, as they can now reach and provide assistance to the more rural areas that they serve.

Before receiving the Kia Soul, the only vehicle they had was a 24-passenger van that required a CDL to operate. Now that they have a smaller car, they can extend their reach further in southern Kentucky.

“This is a massive gift and it’s just a true blessing for our organization,” said Eric Leach, president of the board of directors for Down Syndrome of Southern Kentucky. “What it’s going to allow us to do is get out into the 14 counties that we serve much more affordably and to be able to allow our community to engage with our members and our members to engage back with the community.”

DSSKY is currently working on future plans to assist the more rural areas it covers by providing health and wellness events, educational assistance and speech therapy.