Cypress College in Cypress, Calif, has been awarded a portion of Solera’s Matching Makeover grant through the Collision Repair Education Foundation. The Solera grant was made available exclusively to California secondary and/or post-secondary schools, and Cypress College will have its $50,000 wish list of needed tools, equipment, and supplies fulfilled to benefit its collision program.
This $25,000 grant is a portion of the $100,000 donation made to the Collision Repair Education Foundation in 2010 by Solera Holdings Inc. and its CEO, Tony Aquila. It is the largest cash donation ever received by the not-for-profit organization. Current industry supporters of the California Matching Makeover grant program for Cypress College that will fulfill the second $25,000 of the grant include 1-800-Radiator & A/C, ALLDATA, Assured Performance Network, Chilton Auto Body, Collision Services, Crockett’s Premier Autobody, FIX Auto, Hobart, Matco Tools and Oakland Autobody.
“Solera is truly pleased to provide and sponsor the Matching Makeover grant program for Cypress College through the Collision Repair Education Foundation,” said Rick Tuuri, vice president of industry relations for Audatex, a Solera Company. “It is important to Tony Aquila that we make a lasting difference for collision repair students, and transforming Cypress College helps to achieve that goal. At Solera, we believe that Life Is Full of Transformation. As a result, we have developed our L.I.F.T. program to help others succeed through their life changes. We would also like to thank the additional industry partners that have come on board to participate in this Matching Makeover grant program for Cypress College. Only through industry members coming together to support its future professionals will we have the greatest impact.”
Cypress College Auto Collision Instructor Dan Snook said, “As the recipients of the 2011 California Matching Makeover grant sponsored by Solera and Tony Aquila, the Cypress College Collision Repair Technology Department staff and students express their appreciation. Collision technical schools, ours included, are dependent upon industry partnerships such as this. It is the support of partnerships and educational grants that make it possible to train students at the highest level. Future technicians receive hands-on training using the latest equipment and products provided by our industry partners, ensuring students will be trained to the highest level before entering the automotive collision repair industry.”
More information:
Industry members interested in participating with the Solera Matching Makeover grant for Cypress College through monetary and/or in-kind product donations should contact Brandon Eckenrode, associate director of development, at [email protected] or (847) 463-5244.
