Former U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Erica Liermann, a Philadelphia native, has received a payment-free 2024 Toyota RAV4 XLE through the Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Transportation4Heroes program, in collaboration with Wells Fargo and the Tri-State Toyota Dealers Association. 

Liermann was presented with the car during a key ceremony last week at Dub Fitness, a women’s-only small group and personal training center in King of Prussia that she founded to empower other women to live healthy and full lives. In recognition of Women’s History Month, Liermann was also honored at a Philadelphia Flyers game in March.

Liermann was chosen to receive this life-changing gift after applying to MWSF’s Transporation4Heroes program. The application has a rigorous vetting process to ensure that the veteran chosen to receive a vehicle is the best recipient to participate in the program.

“I believe in karma,” said Liermann. “I try to live my life as a volunteer, constantly giving to my community, especially veterans. So, it feels weird to receive when I like to give, but I am very, very grateful.”

During her service from 2005 to 2012, which included deployments to Iraq and Cuba, Liermann earned several awards, including three Army Commendation Awards.

Transitioning out of the military presented Liermann with several challenges, but she discovered solace and purpose in the health and physical department at West Chester University. There, she pursued her passion for fitness and earned her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. Recognizing the transformative power of fitness in her own life, she went on to found Dub Fitness.

Dub Fitness provides a safe and empowering space for women to thrive physically and mentally. Liermann’s journey illustrates how fitness can be a healing force for veterans and aid in their personal growth.

“I hope that, with receiving this car and people hearing about this, that female veterans will come forward, and not be afraid to acknowledge that they are veterans, and acknowledge that there is help out there, and to take the help,” she said.

Since 2015, MWSF’s Transporation4Heroes program has worked with companies across the country to award more than 170 payment-free vehicles. In addition to providing vehicles, MWSF supports combat-wounded veterans and Gold Star spouses through family and financial mentorship programs. These programs provide crucial transitional support that focus on housing, outdoor recreational activities, transportation assistance, and leadership development. Through this work, they have enabled participants to pay off more than $27 million in pre-existing debt.

Learn more about Wells Fargo and how it supports service members, veterans, and military families in our communities.