MEDIA NOTE: Photos and Video from the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation are available HERE
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (November 11, 2025) – On Tuesday, November 11, 16 deserving Dallas area veterans experienced a life-changing event – the presentation of a vehicle to provide them independence and the ability to work and take care of their families – thanks to the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides® program along with vehicle donors GEICO, Allstate, Farmers, Travelers, Mercury Insurance and Liberty Mutual and repair partner Texas Collision Centers.
The presentation was held at a special Veterans Day presentation at the Texas Collision Centers location in Plano, TX. At the event, an unprecedented 16 vehicles were presented to veterans in need (full bios below). The event was attended by Texas State Senator Angela Paxton (District 8) and Texas State Representative Jeff Leach (District 67). Plano Mayor the Honorable John B. Muns, was unable to attend, however he did issue a letter of commendation honoring Texas Collison Centers and the National Auto Body Council for their contributions on Veterans Day.
“This Veterans Day gifting was the largest single gifting that the NABC has ever done and the largest gifting with one repair partner,” said Debby Robinson, Executive Director of the NABC. “We offer our heartfelt appreciation to Texas Collision Centers for investing their resources and talents to refurbish all 16 of these vehicles for these deserving veterans.”
“We are proud to have been involved in such a momentous event honoring our veterans, especially on a day commemorating their service and sacrifice,” Shyllo Michaelis, Chief Strategy Officer for Texas Collision Centers.
“It has been an amazing experience being here, this has been the biggest gifting I have ever been a part of, let alone seen in person,” said Tara Beckham, Vehicle Donation Program Ambassador, GEICO. ‘Seeing a 16-car gifting, 10 of them being from GEICO, hearing their stories, you can really see how much this will impact their lives and make a difference in their future.”
A 2020 GMC Sierra K1500 was donated by Liberty Mutual, refurbished by Texas Collision Centers Wylie, and presented to Ryan Zimmerer. He is a father of two and served in the United States Marine Corps from 2007-2010. Zimmerer was injured during a Fast Rope Training accident in 2009. Ryan fell 50 feet from a helicopter to the flight deck of a ship. He was medically retired from the US Marines in 2010. He has endured 10 surgeries, averaging 1 surgery every 18 months for 16 years that ultimately resulted in double leg amputation. Thanks to the Freedom Mobility Foundation, he received and adapted truck that will allow Zimmerer to share outdoor activities like hunting and fishing with his sons.
“This truck is going to give me freedom again, it’s going to let me get back out in the outdoors to do what I did when I was growing up and it will also allow me to share my love of the outdoors with my sons,” said recipient Ryan Zimmerer.
A 2018 Nissan Rogue S was donated by GEICO, refurbished by Texas Collision Centers McKinney, and presented to Bryant Sanders. He is a veteran of the United States Navy, serving from 2009-2013. He recently secured a job, however the lack of transportation limits access to better opportunities and prevents him from taking his daughter to the places she would like to go. This refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides® program will restore Sanders’ independence, reduce financial strain and improve his family’s quality of life.
A 2020 Subaru Forester was donated by GEICO, refurbished by Texas Collision Centers Ft. Worth, and presented to Gabriel Torres Vargas. Heis a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving from 2017-2021. After arriving in Texas, Torres Vargas faced homelessness and suffered an automobile accident resulting in a total loss of his vehicle. This refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides® program will allow Torres Vargas to pursue his education more fully with the eventual goal of obtaining a bachelor’s degree in marine biology.
A 2021 Nissa Rogue SV was donated by GEICO, refurbished by Texas Collision Centers Plano Parkway, and presented to Dayunna Sias, already a veteran of the United States Air Force at just 21 years of age. While attending technical school, an injury forced her to leave the service far earlier than she originally expected. Sias currently uses rideshare services because she is unable to afford a vehicle. She is pursuing a degree in Cybersecurity, determined to earn a bachelor’s degree and eventually obtain a master’s degree. This refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides® program will be more than just a way to travel, but the key to unlocking her future.
A 2023 Ford Escape was donated by GEICO, refurbished by Texas Collision Centers McKinney Airport, and presented to Charles Brown. He is a veteran of the United States Navy and was actively working with the HUD/VASH Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist to secure employment when an unexpected medical setback made transportation a major barrier to his recovery and reintegration into the workforce. His commitment to personal growth and service is evident in his active participation in church and mentorship of fellow veterans. This gift will allow Brown to pursue employment opportunities, attend medical appointments and assist him with continuing his volunteer and employment efforts.
A 2018 KIA Sportage was donated by GEICO, refurbished by Texas Collision Centers Plano Central, and presented to Dontreal Byars, a mother and veteran of the United States Army National Guard. Her family was left without a vehicle when her daughter was involved in an accident and the car was totaled. Having this refurbished vehicle will dramatically change this family’s lives, eliminating financial struggles, allowing her husband to not miss work and her to continue her National Guard assignments.
“What this vehicle means to me, words can’t even explain it right now and I am truly excited,” said recipient Dontreal Byars. “This is going to help me get to my doctors’ appointments, it will assist my family with any of their appointments and I just appreciate the Texas Veterans Commission, as well as the NABC Recycled Rides® program. It’s truly been a blessing.”
A 2020 Jeep Cherokee Latitude was donated by GEICO, refurbished by Texas Collision Centers Ft. Worth, and presented to LaCata Jenkins, a United States Army veteran and single mother of four children. After serving her country in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom, she had to deal with eviction for her and her family and other challenges. Jenkins has shown remarkable strength and sacrifice in service to her country and in her fight to overcome adversity at home. This refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides® program will allow her to get to work, VA appointments and manage the day-to-day needs of raising her three children.
“I’ll be able to get around, be able to take my kids places, be able to get to my appointments,” said recipient LaCata Jenkins. “I’m located in Forney, it’s way out there, no way to get around, I’m very blessed.”
A 2019 Toyota Camry L was donated by GEICO, refurbished by Texas Collision Centers Cedar Hill, and presented to Matt Taulauniu, is a veteran of the United States Army having served from 2016-2018. He has been diligent in doing everything possible to keep his current job installing security equipment, despite troubles in getting to and from work. Getting this refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides® program will allow him to cut transportation costs, attend work and navigate daily tasks without the pressure of relying on others for his transportation needs.
A 2022 Nissan Sentra SV was donated by GEICO, refurbished by Texas Collision Centers Northwest Dallas, and presented to Trey Macaluso, who served a long career in the United States Army from 2008-2018. He was in the United States Army National Guard for six years and was deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom. Since reentry, he has pursued training and employment services, as well as supportive services under the Department of Labor’s Homeless Veterans Reintegration program. This refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides® program will be a significant boost to this continuing success story.
A 2023 Jeep Renegade Latitude was donated by GEICO, refurbished by Texas Collision Centers Preston Road, and presented to Jevon LeBlanc; a veteran of the United State Army having served from 2008-2012. His wife is disabled and requires frequent trips to the doctor and emergency room. LeBlanc faces his own health struggles but continues to work nights to support his family of five. His labor-intensive job is not sustainable given his own medical challenges. This refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides® program will be life-changing, ensuring access to medical care, expanding his employment opportunities and by giving him the ability to achieve his educational goals in the IT field and build a brighter future for his family.
A 2023 Honda HR-V LX was donated by GEICO, refurbished by Texas Collision Centers Mansfield, and presented to Terry Andrews, a United States Army veteran looking to work in his community. He has medical appointments in Dallas and must rely on public transportation or the generosity of friends. Andrews wants to volunteer, attend church and spread the “word of God.” Ultimately, he hopes this vehicle will be as much to help his service with others as it is for himself.
A 2017 Nissan Maxima was donated by Farmers, refurbished by Texas Collision Centers Carrollton, and presented to Brandon Lockett is a proud veteran of the United States Navy having served from 2008-2012. He has faced numerous challenges, including losing his job as an independent truck driver. The loss of work led to significant financial strain and, ultimately, homelessness. Despite these challenges, Lockett remains actively engaged in supportive services and focused on achieving long-term stability. This refurbished vehicle will significantly enhance his self-sufficiency, access to resources and ability to sustain progress toward independence.
A 2024 Chevrolet Malibu was donated by Travelers, refurbished by Texas Collision Centers, and presented to McKinley Mamon. He faced significant challenges and experienced a period of homelessness before securing permanent housing. Despite these hardships, he has shown remarkable perseverance and drive to rebuild his life and create a better future for he and his young family. Mamon is currently enrolled in an HVAC technician program and is determined to build a sustainable career that will allow him to fully provide for his family. Without transportation, he often leaves home as early as 5:00 a.m. Mamon has overcome extraordinary obstacles and continues to strive toward independence and stability. He represents a spirit of perseverance and will make excellent use of this gift from the NABC to continue his path toward self-sufficiency and success.
A 2019 Toyota Camry was donated by Mercury Insurance, refurbished by Texas Collision Centers Bedford, and presented to Robert Silva, who served honorably in the United States Navy from 1991-2000 as a missile technician aboard the USS Nebraska. He earned two Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal and multiple commendations for his exemplary service. In 2023, Silva lost his mother and was forced to resign from work after being denied time off from his job, losing his unemployment benefits in the process. Eventually Silva lost his home, surviving solely on benefits provided by the VA. In 2024, an accident totaled his vehicle. This refurbished vehicle will allow him to access better job opportunities, maintain his health and continue progressing toward full independence and self-sufficiency.
A 2021 Volkswagen Atlas was donated by Allstate, refurbished by Texas Collision Centers Love Field, and presented to Jarion Ervin, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps serving from 2014-2018. He and his wife have two children of their own and became foster parents of four more young children. Ervin is a disabled veteran, but he continues to excel in continuing his education. This refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides® program will ensure all his children make their appointments, school activities and other family events.
A 2021 GMC Sierra was donated by Allstate, refurbished by Texas Collision Centers McKinney North, and presented to Michael Rodriguez. He is a veteran of the United States Navy having served from 2011-2015 during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Freedom Sentinel. During his service, Rodriguez injured his back and legs in a 25-foot fall. After a period of homelessness, he eventually was able to find housing in a veteran’s village, donating money each month for housing and working in maintenance at the property doing electrical and security work. This refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides® program will allow Rodriguez to continue his part-time work as an electrician’s apprentice and gain experience to become an electrician.
Texas Collision Centers is a hometown collision repair center that exists to improve the lives of their customers and teammates by consistently delivering an exceptional, personal and best in-class collision repair experience. They call North Texas home, and they believe in serving their community by partnering with organizations like the NABC to support military personnel, veterans, first-responders, educators, and neighbors that make a lasting impact in their hometown.Texas Collision Centers just opened their 18th location in the DFW area, and all their facilities are I-CAR Gold Certified.
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 more than 3,500 vehicles valued at some $51 million.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL AUTO BODY COUNCIL®
The National Auto Body Council® is the premier organization of collision industry partners dedicated to strategic networking opportunities that positively change lives in the communities we serve. The collaborative membership of the National Auto Body Council® has gifted more than 3,500 vehicles and provided extrication opportunities for some 6,000 First Responders in communities around the country through NABC Recycled Rides® and NABC First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.™). That effort equates to a 4:1 ROI in dollar value delivered from NABC® membership dollars.
The NABC Changing and Saving Lives Foundation, a 501c3 organization, is committed to the goal of driving change for veterans, military members, first responders and families in need, while harnessing the power of the collective membership of the collision repair industry to positively impact communities where we live and work. As demand for NABC® programs like NABC Recycled Rides® and NABC F.R.E.E.™ grows, so do the needs for resources to manage these important programs. Being able to pursue grants, gifts and donations allows NABC to expand these programs to serve those in need and help communities where we live and work. For more information, visit www.NationalautoBodyCouncil.org.