National Auto Body Council members gave a Palm Springs, Calif., single mother of six much to look forward to in 2018 when she received keys to a practically new 2017 Toyota Camry.
The vehicle presentation was a highlight of the National Auto Body Council’s (NABC) Annual Golf Fundraiser in Palm Springs. Proceeds from the fundraiser support NABC’s community service programs, including Recycled Rides, First Responder Emergency Extrication (FREE) and Distracted Driving Initiative.
Hertz Corp. was the event’s title sponsor. Event sponsors included: Audatex, a Solera Company; Autoworks PDR; Axalta Coating Systems; Berkshire Hathaway Automotive; Caliber Collision Centers; Car-O-Liner; Certified Collision Group; Enterprise Rent-A-Car; Pacific Resource Recovery; The Collision Centers of New York; and United Recyclers Group (URG).
This past year had been challenging for Sonya Palacio and her family. They were forced to leave their rental home and exhausted their modest savings living in motels. To make matters worse, their only car broke down during the move to temporary shelter at a friend’s guesthouse.
Despite these challenges, Sonya’s young daughters manage to maintain an “A” average in school and perfect attendance, relying on public bus transportation and the generosity of friends for rides.
“This is overwhelming, a wonderful blessing for our family,” said Palacio, adding that the car will enable her to find stable employment as well as the opportunity to participate in her children’s school and extracurricular activities.
The Recycled Rides vehicle for the Palacio family was donated by Hertz and repaired by Ben Clymer’s The Body Shop in Palm Desert, with contributions of parts, materials and services from LKQ Corp., PPG Automotive Refinish and I-10 Toyota in Indio, Calif.
NABC members across the country have donated nearly 2,000 vehicles valued at more than $26 million.
“It is through the generosity of so many in our collision industry that we are able to give individuals like Sonya Palacio hope for a brighter future,” said Darren Huggins, NABC chairman. “Our sincere thanks to all those who sponsored and participated in our Golf Fundraiser this year, giving us additional funds to change and save even more lives.”
