The Vespa was born 75 years ago, originating out of a rebuilt airplane factory that was destroyed in the aftermath of World War II. As part of cessations made after the war, the Italian aeronautical industry was severely handicapped in capacity and capabilities. However, this was only one of many things that post-war Italy suffered from. Another serious question was the economic climate, and infrastructure system of Italy’s (and much of Europe’s) war-ravaged roads.
Enrico Piaggio, who had previously engineered airplanes, made a bold attempt to address the issue of transportation for the majority of Italians that were suffering financially after the war. That answer came in the form of the Vespa, whose zingy engine sounded like a wasp, and gave it its name: Vespa is Italian for Wasp.
Considered by many to be one of the greatest designs of the 20th century, the Vespa played a pivotal role in helping Europe out of the post World War II destruction. The Vespa design allowed men and women to zip around the roads that were destroyed, creating new opportunities for work and transportation that were previously inaccessible.
The Silver Lake Love Vespa carrying over 100 pounds of food, water, and clothing for the homeless from Silver Lake to Skid Row in Downtown LA.
75 years later, the humanitarian heart of Vespa is called upon again with the help of David and Lynda Meyer of Vespa Sherman Oaks, who generously donated dozens of Vespa shirts and hats for the people who are living on the streets of skid row. Inspired by the recent growth of the homeless population in Los Angeles and Sherman Oaks, they were compelled to do something to help the situation.
Helping others, is not new to David and Lynda, who earlier this year, raised over $4,500 to buy 13 year old Damian Jeffries a replacement bicycle when his was stolen. The bicycle was significant because Damian is handicapped and the bicycle had to be custom built in order for him to ride.
Jordan Meyer and “Riley”, a homeless dog whose mother and sibling died in a blaze at a homeless encampment in Sun Valley earlier this year.
David and Lynda’s son Jordan, who also works at the family operated dealership recently adopted a stray dog that lived at a homeless encampment before it burned down earlier this year on El Dorado Ave in Sun Valley. The dog’s mother and sibling died in the blaze.
In the same way that Vespa of the mid 20th Century helped war-torn Europe out of the grips of recession, the new look 21st century Vespa is one company that is taking charge in the fight against homeless.
Interested in learning more about what Vespa can do for you? Visit Vespa of Sherman Oaks on the corner of Woodman and Ventura in Sherman Oaks, California. For more information, see their website at www.vespaso.com
