Members of the National Auto Body Council (NABC) teamed up in 2014 to donate nearly $3 million in refurbished vehicles, changing the lives of 200 individuals and their families through the organization’s Recycled Rides program.
Progressive Insurance led the effort in 2014, partnering with NABC shops across the country to donate vehicles to 117 military service members and veterans. GEICO, Allstate, State Farm, Esurance, Farmers and Insurance Auto Auctions each donated at least 10 vehicles, with the additional vehicle contributions from Hertz, Enterprise Rent-a-Car and Copart.
Caliber Collision team members led the effort on the repairer side, volunteering personal time to refurbish 20 Recycled Rides vehicles. Service King, CARSTAR, ABRA Auto Body & Glass, Gerber Collision & Glass, the Van Tuyl Group and many more independent body shops all contributed to the success of the 2014 Recycled Rides effort.
A future generation of collision repair professionals also had the opportunity to participate in community service projects through the Recycled Rides program while learning their craft at Washburn Institute of Technology, Manhattan Area Technical College, Western Nevada College, Pennsylvania College of Technology and Technical College High School – Brandywine.
“Recycled Rides is a life-changing experience, not just for the recipients but for everyone who participated and contributed to the event,” said Nick Notte, NABC chairman. “We are very proud that, through Recycled Rides, members of the National Auto Body Council are able to make an impact in their local communities as well as showcase the professionalism and integrity of our collision industry. “
According to Rick Tuuri, NABC’s Recycled Rides program chair, the momentum and successful efforts from Recycled Rides in 2014 have carried through into 2015. To date, 79 Recycled Rides vehicles have already been donated or are in the process of completion.
Chuck Sulkala, NABC executive director, urged industry members to step up in 2015 to donate more vehicles and sign up to host Recycled Rides events.
“We have many more yet unfulfilled requests from nonprofit organizations seeking transportation on behalf of their clients,” said Sulkala. “Our industry is in the unique position to make a difference in the lives of these individuals by providing reliable transportation so they find and maintain jobs, take care of their families and rebuild their lives.”
NABC’s mission is to develop, implement and promote community-based initiatives that exemplify the professionalism and integrity of the collision repair industry. In addition to Recycled Rides, NABC’s community initiatives include:
- First Responder Emergency Extrication – One-of-a-kind vehicle extrication program that provides local firefighters and/or first responders with the opportunity to practice hands-on, life-saving techniques on late-model vehicles and the challenges they present from advanced metals to multiple restraint systems.
- Distracted Driving Initiative – NABC partners with national organizations, such as AT&T on the “It Can Wait” campaign, to provide resources to implement local community efforts that help save lives by educating drivers of all ages about the dangers of inattentive and distracted driving.
