Following is an open letter to the industry from the Collision Repair Education Foundation:
Dear Collision Industry Members:
Since 2008, when the Collision Repair Education Foundation became a purely philanthropic organization supporting secondary and post-secondary collision programs nationwide, we have been able to provide over $5 million in support to this group in the form of student scholarships, school grants, and product/equipment donations. This incredible amount of support has only been made possible through the generosity of our industry supporters and donors. At a time when schools’ lack of funding is making national news, the collision industry…our industry…is coming to the aid of its future professionals like never before.
With the end of the calendar year approaching, on behalf of secondary and post-secondary collision repair schools, students, and instructors nationwide, we extend an invitation to all industry members to consider a monetary and/or in-kind product donation to the Collision Repair Education Foundation to support schools that promote, qualify, and properly train entry-level employees for the collision industry. Please note that when requesting a “donation” that does include product donations. Schools are in desperate need of tools, equipment, and supplies for their collision programs. Also, as the Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, your donations are tax-deductible.
The Collision Repair Education Foundation’s focus is to foster a collision industry where there are a sufficient number of qualified, properly trained, and immediately productive entry-level employees to meet the current and future needs of the industry. We accomplish this through grants that encourage schools to meet industry needs by strengthening the basic skills taught in collision repair programs and providing the capital investment needed to train the next generation of repair technicians. We also provide scholarships for collision students that lower barriers to education, promote opportunities for a diverse workforce, and reward dedication and passion for their trade.
Our $50,000 Ultimate Collision Education Makeover grant honors a high-performing school that has been doing an outstanding job in educating students in collision repair, but needs some financial assistance to improve their program’s teaching materials and equipment. Since the first Makeover grant was awarded in 2009, through the generosity of the organization’s supporters, the Makeover applicant schools (winning and non-winning) have received over $600,000 in donations.
All of this support has been made possible only through the over 1,500 corporations, businesses, associations, and individuals that have donated to the Collision Repair Education Foundation.
We ask that you consider making an end-of-year tax-deductible monetary and/or product donation to the Collision Repair Education Foundation as it is a direct investment into the future of the collision industry.
Industry members interested in donating to the Collision Repair
Education Foundation can contact Associate Director of Development
Brandon Eckenrode ([email protected]) for more information.
Thanks again for your consideration.
Best wishes,
Scott Kruger Melissa Marscin Brandon Eckenrode
Executive Director Asst. Director of Grant Programs Assc. Director of Development
More information:
Industry members interested in donating to the Collision Repair Education Foundation can contact Associate Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode ([email protected]) for more information.
Collision Repair Education Foundation website
