NABC announced that through its 2010 Recycled Rides project, the National Auto Body Council (NABC) and repairers gifted 119 recycled vehicles to families and service organizations in need across the United States.
"All participants experienced, firsthand, the joy of giving and the privilege of connecting with and serving their communities,” said Nick Notte, president of Sterling Autobody Centers and chairman of the 2010 Recycled Rides initiative. “Recycled Rides again allowed involved repairers the unique opportunity to serve others and to bring their staff together.”
Early on in the year, Recycled Rides set the bar high at 150 vehicle giftings for 2010.
“We knew the unstable economy might provide some challenges in meeting that goal,” added Notte. “I am proud of the efforts of my committee members and those of the generous repairers, insurers, parts suppliers and material vendors who pushed us over triple-digits.”
Fourteen insurance companies and one rental car company donated a total of 102 vehicles. Another 17 were donated by 800-Charity Cars and repair facility participants.
This year, NABC expanded its industry presence at the 2010 SEMA Show in November at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Recycled Rides was right there, presenting five donated vehicles on the show floor to Las Vegas-area families in need. The local Family Promise chapter – a nonprofit organization committed to helping low-income families achieve lasting independence – was again the participating charity that located and vetted the applicants.
“This program is of incredible benefit to our families,” said Family Promise of Las Vegas Executive Director Terry Lindemann. “Moving families from homelessness to success is difficult without reliable transportation. Family Promise and our families are grateful to be the benefactors of this wonderful project for the last three years. The folks involved in Recycled Rides are changing people’s lives in a positive way!”
The vast majority of the refurbished vehicles are presented to their recipients simultaneously on Recycled Rides Ride-Away Day, traditionally the Monday before Thanksgiving. These national events often take place at the collision repair facility responsible for doing the work and represent the culmination of a year’s worth of effort by participants. All stakeholders in the industry are always touched in a special way because of their generous participation in Recycled Rides.
Double-digit vehicle donors for Recycled Rides 2010 include:
• Allstate Insurance Company: 39 vehicles
• State Farm Insurance Company: 21 vehicles
• GEICO Insurance Company: 11 vehicles
On the collision repair side, several repairers emerged as Recycled Rides market champions, driving goodwill throughout their markets:
• Sterling Autobody Centers: 31 vehicles
• 112 Automotive and Long Island A/B Assoc.: 10 vehicles
• Connecticut Collision Repair Specialists: 7 vehicles
• 911 Collision Centers and Auto Glass: 6 vehicles
Recycled Rides would also like to thank the following sponsors of parts and material donations, as they are an integral part of the project’s success:
• AutoZone: Mechanical parts
• 1-800-Radiator: Radiator/air conditioning and cooling parts
• LKQ Corporation: Recycled and aftermarket crash parts
• United Recyclers Group: Recycled crash parts
• Auto Data Labels: Vehicle labels
• AkzoNobel, DuPont, PPG, Sherwin-Williams: Refinish products
“This is the best work that we do as a collective industry,” said NABC Executive Director Chuck Sulkala. “Not only are we having a positive impact on the image of our industry from the consumer’s perspective, but we are helping those whose lives have been turned upside down for one reason or another. It’s a life-changing initiative of which we’re lucky to be a part.”
In 2011, Recycled Rides is again raising the bar for participation.
“We will be working toward the ultimate goal of gifting 500 vehicles,” noted Notte. “Requests for vehicles have already started coming in for 2011, and facilities that were unable to obtain a vehicle to help donate will be given high priority in 2011.”
More information:
View a list of 2010 Recycled Rides participating shops.
A video highlighting the 2010 Recycled Rides initiative can be accessed on YouTube.
The 2011 Recycled Rides season officially kicked off on Feb. 1. If you would like to participate as a donor, repairer, or supplier of goods and services, please contact NABC’s Cindy Prisco at 609-269-2383 or [email protected].
