Each year, the NABC™ and its member partners raise funds to support hundreds of NABC Recycled Rides® car presentations to those in need, NABC F.R.E.E.™ education programs for first responders, and NABC Distracted Driving Awareness™ campaigns that keeps thousands of drivers safer on the road. Following the golf tournament, NABC™ hosted its annual industry recognition reception to honor all of the partners from across the collision repair industry that support NABC™ initiatives throughout the year. At that event, NABC™ and its partners hosted the first NABC Recycled Rides® event of 2020, presenting three vehicles to local families in need.Recipients in the NABC Recycled Rides® include: Maryjane Cano-Cruz, an 18-year-old student at California State University San Bernardino, was selected to receive a 2013 Ford Fusion SE that was donated by State Farm and refurbished by CARSTAR Allstar Collision. Cano-Cruz works and pays for her school, and is studying to be a special needs teacher. She volunteers with children in need, and the gift of transportation will allow her to get to work, continue her volunteer duties and complete her education.
Ashly Potter, (shown above with the Hertz team and Fix Auto repair partner) is a single mother with a young son who has Autism who received a 2017 Toyota Camry SE that was donated by Hertz and repaired by Fix Auto Cathedral City. Potter is challenged with taking care of her son and juggling his frequent medical needs with a lack of transportation. The gift of reliable transportation will allow her to better care for her son and return to work.
Melissa Lozano escaped from a gang-infested neighborhood and challenging life as a teen and today is working to be a good role model for her 13 children. The gift of a 2018 Honda Civic Sport that was donated by GEICO and refurbished by Hamblin’s Auto Body, will allow her to get them to school and activities and continue on a positive path.
During the golf tournament, NABC™ hosted a unique NABC F.R.E.E.™ event where first responders from the Palm Springs area had an opportunity to learn new cutting and extrication techniques on late model vehicles donated by USAA and program instructors provided by Hurst Jaws of Life.
“What a tremendous kickoff for the 25th anniversary celebration of the National Auto Body Council with our members, our industry colleagues and numerous Palm Springs community members,” said Bill Garoutte, president and CEO of the National Auto Body Council. “Our mission of ‘Changing and Saving Lives Every Day’ becomes very visible when we are able to provide three vehicles for deserving recipients and educate community first responders on making Palm Springs’ streets safer for area drivers.”
NABC Recycled Rides® is a unique program in which businesses representing all facets of the collision repair industry team up to repair and donate vehicles to individuals and families in need of reliable transportation. Since the inception of the NABC Recycled Rides® program in 2007, members of the National Auto Body Council have donated nearly 2,500 vehicles valued at more than $34 million.
