The National Auto Body Council (NABC) has announced it will focus efforts on coordinating collision industry resources to re-launch AutoMotivation, a program that provides automotive tech training for U.S. veterans, as soon as possible.
The AutoMotivation program has been dormant since March 2012 when its previous facility in San Antonio, Texas, was sold. This move prompted the NABC to rally industry support for a capital campaign to purchase a permanent training facility and provide an accredited job training curriculum for veterans.
In recent meetings, the Boards of the NABC and Operation Comfort have jointly determined that collision industry resources would benefit disabled veterans more immediately with a priority focus to fund and support the AutoMotivation program, rather than funding the capital campaign to purchase a permanent facility.
“Our primary concern is for our wounded troops who have been without the valuable occupational therapies and rehabilitative benefits of AutoMotivation this past year,” said Chuck Sulkala, NABC executive director. “Many disabled veterans will be better served today with industry resources re-focused on helping AutoMotivation become fully operational so they once again have the opportunity to receive the positive therapeutic benefits they deserve.”
According to Sulkala, a NABC committee will be appointed to help its members and others in the collision industry who wish to support disabled veterans through the AutoMotivation program. Committee efforts will help promote awareness for AutoMotivation as well as help procure equipment, training or financial support to meet program needs.
Funds raised to date from the industry-supported Operation Comfort Capital Campaign will be used to provide an immediate space to house the program or be kept in reserve for future use toward a permanent facility. Efforts to identify leased or donated space are underway by Operation Comfort board members.
“Whether it is simply changing a tire or working on restoring a complete vehicle, these activities are important first steps in the recovery process for many participants in AutoMotivation,” said Janis Roznowski, executive director of Operation Comfort. “We are extremely grateful to the many individuals and companies in the collision industry whose generous contributions enable us to continue supporting our wounded soldiers through AutoMotivation.”
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