Keith Fry couldn’t stop smiling.
An oversized, cardboard key grasped in his left hand, his grin was ear-to-ear as he reached out his right to shake hand after hand.
He thanked, one-by-one, everyone involved in the life-changing moment he had just experienced. He told them how grateful he was, what a difference they had made.
Then, still smiling, he took a moment to just stand back and stare.
There in front of him was a black 2019 Honda Accord, glimmering like it did when it was brand new. And it was his.
“It’s a beautiful car,” Fry said.
But it was much more than simply a pretty vehicle. To Fry, the car represented opportunity, resilience and hope.
The 57-year-old Reading resident has had some tough times recently. About a year-and-a-half ago he and his wife, Jessica, lost their home due to financial difficulties.
The couple, along with their son, found themselves staying in an emergency shelter. It was a devastating situation, one that easily could have broken the family.
They didn’t let it.
“We said, ‘No, this is not going to put us down,’” Fry said.
A veteran of the Navy, Fry reached out to Veterans Multi-Service Center, a nonprofit organization that assists veterans experiencing homelessness.
Through the organization, the family was able to find a new home. And Keith and Jessica were able to secure catering jobs with Cloud 9 Cafe.
Despite moving in the right direction, there were still hurdles. Chief among them was the lack of a vehicle.
Fry said he and his wife had to wake up two hours early to get to work, walking 2 miles to catch a bus. And getting their 15-year-old son to sports practices and other activities was difficult.
“A teenager shouldn’t have to deal with that like he did,” Fry said.
Ryan Zipay of Calber Collision, left, and Jeremy Bender of Traveler’s Insurance present a 2019 Honda Accord to Ketih and Jessica Fry and their son Jordan, 15, during a ceremony at Caliber Collision, 2526 Centre Ave., on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
About five months ago, Fry got some good news. He was told by officials from Veterans Multi-Service Center that he had been nominated to receive a vehicle from Caliber Collision and Travelers Insurance through the National Auto Body Council’s “Recycled Rides” program.
The program takes damaged vehicles, rehabs them, then donates them to needy members of the community.
“I thought, ‘Maybe I’ll get picked,’” Fry said. “But I’m not that lucky of a guy.”
Turns out, he is.
Two months ago he was informed he had been chosen. It was thrilling news but left him waiting on pins and needles for the big day when he would receive it.
“We were like, ‘Come one, we want to see it,’” he said.
On Thursday, he finally did. During a brief ceremony at Caliber’s Reading location on Centre Avenue, the crew that had worked on the car pulled a black cloth adorned with a large, green bow to unveil it.
“I’m to the moon, I just can hardly stand it,” a beaming Fry said. “I just feel tremendous relief to be able to do things without having to rely on other people.”
Those who helped make the moment happen said they were happy to be able to do so.
Ryan Zipay, regional manager for Caliber, said Fry is well deserving of being honored and helped.
“We hope this gift of reliable transportation provides some peace of mind,” he said.
Zipay said Caliber is dedicated to the Recycled Rides program, having donated 600 cars since 2012. It’s part of the company’s belief in supporting the community, represented by a motto Zipay repeated time and time again: “Restoring the rhythm of your life.”
Travelers also has a long history of giving back to the community, said Jeremy Bender, the insurer’s Mid-Atlantic appraisal director. And being able to do so by helping a veteran was an obvious choice.
“You spent time serving our country, and I’m happy to be able to serve you back,” he said.
Bender said he hopes the vehicle provides a sense of freedom for the Fry family.
Keith Fry said that’s definitely the case. In fact, the family already has plans to exercise some of that freedom.
“We’re going to go to Washington, D.C., on New Years Day,” he said. “Just for fun, just to drive away somewhere.”
Ryan Zipay of Caliber Collision, left, congratulates Keith Fry after unveiling a 2019 Honda Accord during a presentation ceremony at Caliber Collision, 2526 Centre Ave., on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Ryan Zipay of Caliber Collision, left, congratulates Keith Fry after unveiling a 2019 Honda Accord during a presentation ceremony at Caliber Collision, 2526 Centre Ave., on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)