Marine veteran gifted a new SUV from Operation Homefront

When Ah’Monie Scanlon was discharged from active duty with the Marines in 2017, she eventually decided to return to Chicago to be closer to family.

Scanlon, 28, wasn’t prepared for how hard it would be to find a job — particularly when the pandemic hit.

The single mother of a toddler has been driving for Uber to try to make ends meet, a task made more difficult because she’s been renting a car.

“I was putting in extra hours to just avoid the rental fees,” Scanlon said.

On Friday, that job became just a little bit easier after she received a 2018 Honda CRV — complete with a big red bow on the top.

“It means so much,” she said. “I can save so much more money. I can save so much more time.”

The gift came courtesy of U.S. Bank through a partnership with Operation Homefront, a nonprofit that provides assistance to U.S. military families in need. The presentation was made at the U.S. Bank branch at 3525 W. 63rd St., not far from where Scanlon lives.

Scanlon said she hopes to find an accounting job.

“This is beautiful,” she said admiring her new car as her son, Gabriel Scanlon-Curtis, pushed buttons on the dashboard.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times