Presentation of the NABC Recycled Ride® Took Place July 21 at the 24th Annual Collision Repair Education Foundation Golf Fundraiser in Woodbridge, IL
MEDIA NOTE: Photos from the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation are available HERE
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (July 21, 2026) – On Tuesday, July 21, a United States Army National Guardsman from Chicago received the gift of a lifetime — the donation of a beautifully refurbished vehicle as he continues his military service and furthers his education. The donation was made possible by the NABC Recycled Rides® program, vehicle donor GEICO and repair partner Crash Champions.
The presentation took place at the 24th Annual Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) Golf Fundraiser at the Seven Bridges Golf Club in Woodbridge, IL. The tournament brings the industry together for a day of golf, camaraderie, and impact. Every swing raises vital funds to support the next generation of collision repairers.
The recipient was nominated by Veterans Path to Hope, a non-profit organization serving active-duty service members, veterans, and their families across Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. Operating out of its headquarters in Crystal Lake, IL, the agency provides free housing assistance, mental health counseling, employment services, and basic necessities.
“It is an honor to continue the partnership between CREF and the NABC to present NABC Recycled Ride® vehicles to deserving veterans, military members and families in need at CREF events around the country,” said Gerry Poirier, member of both the CREF and NABC Board of Directors. “Today is a perfect example of how all our industry members work together to make events like today possible. Thank you to GEICO for donating the vehicle and Crash Champions for refurbishing the vehicle. Congratulations to Hector [Gutierrez] on his new vehicle and on his continued path to success.”
A 2019 Kia Optima LX, donated by GEICO and refurbished by the technicians at Crash Champions, was presented to Hector Gutierrez. He was raised by a single immigrant mother who was unable to afford higher education. He pursued his academic goals through determination, utilizing National Guard assistance and scholarships to fund his studies. Gutierrez is currently majoring in Secondary Education and Public Policy, balancing his academic responsibilities with an unwavering dedication to service. As a military reservist in the U.S. Army National Guard, he demonstrates discipline, sacrifice, and a willingness to put the needs of his country above his own. That same sense of purpose carries into his work with a nonprofit organization, where Gutierrez devotes his time and energy to supporting his community and helping those in need. He plays an essential role in assisting the veteran community, working closely with veterans experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, helping provide transitional housing, meals, and counseling services. Balancing the demands of military service, academic pursuits, and nonprofit work requires resilience—and reliable transportation. This refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides® program is not simply a convenience, but a critical tool that will ensure Gutierrez can respond when duty calls and remain dedicated to serving fellow veterans and his broader community.
“What this car means to me is another method to help, not only my family, but also the people that I serve,” said Hector Gutierrez, the vehicle recipient and project coordinator for Veterans Path to Hope. “We assist homeless veterans and at risk of homelessness veterans. I do a lot of trips to the VA, encampments to do outreach, to the university as I further my education and this vehicle will be a great tool for almost every aspect of my life.”
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: Enterprise, Advanced Remarketing Services, Copart and Cars for Charity.
Crash Champions and Midway Car Rental both presented gift cards to the recipient.
GEICO, a Level One partner of the National Auto Body Council®, has donated more than 1,000 vehicles to people and organizations through NABC Recycled Rides®, making it the largest car donor partner of NABC Recycled Rides®.
Crash Champions, also a Level One partner of the National Auto Body Council®, has gifted more than 250 vehicles to people and organizations through NABC Recycled Rides®.
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.