enerous Collaboration Between GEICO, Texas Collision Centers and NABC Recycled Rides® Changing a Dallas Area Veteran’s Life Took Place September 16
MEDIA NOTE: Photos from the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation are available HERE
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (September 18, 2026) – On Wednesday, September 16, a Dallas-area veteran received a once in a lifetime gift—the donation of a beautifully refurbished vehicle to help him continue his education and obtain his dream job. The donation was made possible by the NABC Recycled Rides® program, vehicle donor GEICO and repair partner Texas Collision Centers.
The presentation took place at Texas Collision Centers, located in Mesquite, TX. The recipient was nominated by the Tarrant County College Veteran Resource Center. Tarrant County College provides dedicated veterans services and Veterans Resource Centers (VRCs) across its campuses to support military-connected students with their transition from service to education and careers. A 2020 Jeep Renegade Latitude, donated by GEICO and refurbished by the technicians at Texas Collision Centers, was presented to Daniel Ktikyan.
“Texas Collision Centers – Mesquite was honored to be part of this special opportunity to give back to our community,” said Mario Santiago of Texas Collision Centers. “It was truly rewarding to see the impact of this gifting and to be able to help make a difference for those who received it. We’re grateful to the National Auto Body Council for allowing us to be a part of such a meaningful event.”
Ktikyan proudly served in the United States Navy from 2017 through 2021. As part of his missions, Ktikyan aided in the diplomacy between Israel, Jordan and the United States. His unit was involved in patrolling the Middle East, helping to secure the region and prevent escalation and casualties at a fraught time. Ktikyan was a proud engineer on his ship, ensuring its functions were in prime condition and he was first line in the event of a mechanical breakdown or crisis. He remains in service to his country in the Reserves and has decided to continue his education. Ktikyan is determined in his studies, as proof he got an A in his first summer class. He is willing to put extra effort into developing his knowledge to eventually get into cyber security. Ktikyan currently uses the area transit system and an electric scooter to get to school, requiring a commute of up to two hours one way. This NABC Recycled Rides® vehicle will be such a benefit to help Ktikyan continue to grow and serve his community.
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: Patterson, PDR Linx, Wheel Technologies, Complete Collision Solutions, English Color and Supply, LKQ, Advanced Remarketing Services, Cars for Charity, Copart and Enterprise.
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®.
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 3,850 vehicles valued at some $69 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 3,850 vehicles valued at nearly $69 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.