The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) announced it has received a $225,000 donation from I-CAR to expand its support of collision schools and students. The contribution was made as part of I-CAR’s 40th Anniversary Volunteer & Instructor Conference March 1-3 in Orlando, Fla. The monetary contribution will help CREF offer collision school tool, equipment and instructor training grants and student scholarships across the U.S.
“On behalf of the industry, I-CAR is pleased to make this contribution that helps bolster the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s ongoing commitment to providing students with grants and scholarships that launch their careers in the collision repair industry,” said John Van Alstyne, CEO and president of I-CAR. “Today’s students will drive our industry tomorrow, and we applaud the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s longtime focus on expanding and promoting quality collision repair educational opportunities for them. Our two organizations have a close relationship, and we are excited to help shape the future together.”
Since 2012, I-CAR has provided financial donations to the Foundation totaling more than $1.3 million dollars; I-CAR’s source of funding for these donations is the accrual of a portion of annual industry training proceeds, which is why I-CAR refers to this donation as being “on behalf of the industry.” The funds assist the Foundation in its mission to support collision repair educational programs, schools, and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities.
“The Collision Repair Education Foundation literally would not exist without the foresight and investment by I-CAR on behalf of the collision industry to support collision schools and students across the country,” said Clark Plucinski, executive director of CREF. “Since our founding in 1991, I-CAR staff, its volunteers and its board and industry supporters have worked side by side with the Collision Repair Education Foundation to support the pre-employment education system the industry relies upon for its future workforce. I want to personally congratulate I-CAR as it celebrates its 40 years of service to the industry.”
Members of local I-CAR committees, collision repair facilities, insurance companies and suppliers interested in supporting school grants should contact CREF Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at (312) 231-0258 or [email protected].
