Assemblywoman Names Murrieta's F4RV Small Business of the Year

News release from Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez's office:

MURRIETA – Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez, R-Lake Elsinore, on Friday honored F4RV (For Free and For Fun Recreation Vehicles), a Murrieta nonprofit that provides free motorhome rentals to military families, as the Small Business of the Year for the 67th Assembly District.

“I am pleased to recognize Rory and Sarah (Smith) for the inspiring work they do every day to lift the spirits of our military families,” said Melendez. “As a former military service member and as the spouse of a Navy reservist, I know firsthand just how difficult the transition from deployment back to civilian life can be.  By donating the free use of an RV to our veterans, they provide the one thing military families need most, time away and time together.”

F4RV was founded in 2011 by Rory Smith and his wife, Sarah, based on their personal experiences as a military family. Sarah is a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, and is often separated from her family when she is on active duty assignments. They have 4 children between the ages of 12 and 21, with their elder child serving as an active duty linguist in the military.  The company allows military families the use of a free RV for family vacations either before or after a long separation due to a combat deployment. They are currently hoping to raise funds to purchase an RV with a wheelchair lift so they can offer free rentals to disabled veterans and Wounded Warrior programs.

Each year, every member of the Legislature selects a deserving small business from their district to honor as “Small Business of the Year.” Melendez honored the Smiths and their company Friday at an event at the Murrieta Chamber of Commerce.

“It is an honor to be recognized by Assemblywoman Melendez as her Small Business of the Year,” said Rory Smith. “F4RV was founded on our experiences trying to relax each time my wife came home from an active-duty assignment.  We found that spending a few days in an RV helped my wife to unwind from the rigors of her military assignment, while enabling us to spend quality time together.  It is our privilege to be able to share our love for RVing with our military heroes and their families throughout the region.”

Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez represents the 67th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake, Murrieta, Menifee, Wildomar and a portion of Hemet. It also includes the Riverside County unincorporated areas of Lake Mathews, Good Hope, Nuevo, and Winchester.