Presentation of the NABC Recycled Ride® Took Place June 27 at CARSTAR Brooklyn Auto Solutions in Brooklyn, NY
MEDIA NOTE: Photos from the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation are available HERE
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (June 29, 2026) – On Saturday, June 27, a Brooklyn, NY, single mother received a gift that could save a life — the donation of a beautifully refurbished vehicle that will allow her to give her infant son the care he needs. The donation was made possible by the NABC Recycled Rides® program, vehicle donor Allstate and repair partner CARSTAR, part of the Driven Brands family of automotive brands.
The presentation took place at the CARSTAR Brooklyn Auto Solutions in Brooklyn, NY. The presentation was all part of a celebration of their fourth year in business.
The recipient was nominated by Canarsie Community Development and the Canarsie Merchants Association. Canarsie Community Development Inc. (CCDI) is a grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization dedicated to neighborhood beautification, climate resilience, and community preparedness in the Canarsie neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.
A 2024 Nissan Altima, donated by Allstate and refurbished by the technicians at CARSTAR Brooklyn Auto Solutions was presented to Monique Johnson.
Sherecently experienced the joy of becoming a mother at 40 years of age. However, her infant son was born recently with a large cyst in his abdomen, and because of its size, surgery is necessary. His days have already been filled with appointments with pediatric surgeons, specialists, and doctors. As a single mother navigating this for the first time, all the stress and decision making already feels heavy for Johnson. Right now, reliable transportation means so much more than simply having a vehicle. It means getting her son reliably to every appointment without worrying about how they will get there. It also allows Johnson to stay connected to her support system who she is now relying on. This refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides® program will provide stability, relief, and peace of mind for Johnson and her young son. More than anything, it will give her the ability to focus less on transportation struggles and more on being present for her child as he faces surgery and treatment.
“Traveling in New York is a nightmare and having this vehicle will be such a blessing and make things so much easier, especially with my son’s upcoming surgeries,” said recipient Monique Johnson. “I want to thank the NABC, Allstate, CARSTAR and all the other organizations that made this possible. I’m very appreciative.”
Those in the community can support this life-changing program in two ways – donate to the program directly or donate their unwanted or non-running vehicle through the Changing and Saving Lives Keys for Change program. They will receive a tax donation for their contribution, and proceeds will help provide reliable transportation for those in need across the country – and in their community.
Additional partners in this presentation include: Milan Event, Triple J, NY Confidential Towing, Bill Bartending, Complete Mobile Automotive, Shamrock Sales, The Panda, J Fun Photography, Kings Nissan, Tire Pro, Advanced Remarketing Services, Copart and Cars for Charity.
Allstate, a Level One partner of the National Auto Body Council®, has donated more than 300 vehicles to people and organizations through the NABC Recycled Rides® program, making it one of the largest vehicle donor partners of NABC Recycled Rides®.
CARSTAR is part of the Driven Brands family of automotive brands, a level one NABC member, and is an I-CAR Gold Certified network.
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 3,750 vehicles valued at some $67 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 3,750 vehicles valued at more than $67 million and provided extrication opportunities for some 7,000 First Responders in communities around the country through NABC Recycled Rides® and NABC First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.™).
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.
The Changing and Saving Lives Foundation Keys for Change program also helps drive funding for key programs. The easy, efficient donation process allows vehicle owners to turn their unwanted vehicles into life-changing support. All vehicle donations fund critical programs that provide support and assistance for families in need, military members, veterans and first responders.
For more information, visit http://www.nationalautobodycouncil.org.