Presentation of the NABC Recycled Rides® Took Place May 5 at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort
MEDIA NOTE: Photos from the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation are available HERE
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (May 6, 2026) – On Tuesday, May 5, four deserving Tucson area women received the ultimate Mother’s Day gift – 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 car donors GEICO and Allstate, and repair partners Caliber, Gerber Collision & Glass, Fix Auto USA and Chapman Collision Centers.
The presentation was held during the Women’s Industry Network (WIN) Conference, Tuesday, May 5, at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson, AZ. The WIN Conference offers unparalleled opportunities for networking and mentorship, skills and professional development, and advocacy for women in the industry. It is the only annual event of its kind designed to inspire, empower, and connect professionals across the collision repair industry. At the event, four vehicles will be presented to women in need, including (full bios below):
A 2017 Toyota Camry was donated by Allstate, refurbished by Chapman Tucson Speedway, and presented to Gabriella Vasquez. She is mother to three children, two who are adults and their four-year-old sibling. From a very young age, Vasquez’s life was shaped by hardship and instability. She escaped from a challenging relationship with the father of her child, and since then, she has worked tirelessly to rebuild. Step by step, she has created the stability she never had growing up. She found employment, secured her own apartment, and built a safe, loving, and nurturing home for her daughter. Her little girl is the center of her world and the reason she continues to push forward every day. Two years ago, she reached a milestone that meant so much to her, she was finally able to purchase her own vehicle. Tragically, just one week after purchasing the vehicle, she was rear-ended by an uninsured driver that totaled her vehicle. Vasquez is motivated to continue growing in her career and building a better future for her daughter, but the lack of reliable transportation has made that path significantly harder and at times feels like it is setting her back despite all her effort. She continues to work hard, care for her daughter, and remain focused on building a future defined not by the hardships she endured, but by the love and stability she is determined to give her child. Receiving a vehicle through the NABC Recycled Rides program would be truly life-changing for this family. Reliable transportation will allow her to commute to work, pursue her career goals, attend important appointments, and continue providing the stable and nurturing life she has worked so hard to build for her daughter.
“It’s everything to me. It’s just a blessing, it’s really exciting to have this opportunity,” Vasquez said. “It’s going to help me and my daughter a lot. Like a lot a lot. It’s just great.”
A 2016 Toyota Camry LE was donated by GEICO, refurbished by Caliber Collision, and presented to Violet Sallison. Sallisonand her husband are parents to two wonderful young boys, but unfortunately, they do not have access to reliable transportation. She recently secured employment which has significantly strengthened her mental health, confidence, and overall well-being. Her family has demonstrated resilience, dedication, and a strong commitment to growth. A refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides® program will not simply provide transportation—it will provide independence, stability, opportunity, and the ability to create meaningful family experiences. It will allow Sallison to transport the boys to doctor’s appointments, parks, community activities, and enriching experiences outside the home. It will also ensure she can maintain employment and continue prioritizing her mental wellness. Additionally, reliable transportation will make it possible for the family to one day drive to California to visit Disneyland, allowing Sallison to relive a cherished childhood memory while creating lasting memories with her family.
A 2017 Kia Cadenza was donated by Allstate, refurbished by Fix Auto USA, and presented to Adriana Smythe. Sheis the sole caregiver of two young boys and is deeply committed to building a stable, secure, and thriving future for her family. Smythe made the courageous decision to leave an emotionally abusive relationship, a choice that required immense strength while caring for two children under the age of three. Since leaving that relationship, she has focused on her healing, personal growth, and creating a healthy, nurturing environment for her sons. This refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides® program will allow Adriana to secure employment, reflecting her strong work ethic and commitment to providing for her children.
“This vehicle really means a lot to me, I’ve had to take the bus the last couple of years,” said recipient Adriana Smythe. “I’m excited to have a car finally to be able to take my boys to their appointments, to the park and museum. Now I won’t have to worry about how I’m going to get to work, how I’m going to get home. It’s going to provide a lot of freedom for us and allow us to make some memories.”
A 2022 Dodge Charger SXT was donated by GEICO, refurbished by Gerber Collision & Repair, and presented to Ana Easterbrooks. She is a veteran widow and devoted mother to her teenaged son, Robert. Her late husband passed away when Robert was just nine years old. He served in the Army and National Guard, including a deployment during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and earned several medals and ribbons. Robert recently graduated high school and is hoping to further his education in college. This refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides® program will allow Easterbrooks to work as she continues to provide for Robert, giving him the bright future he so richly deserves.
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 car donor partners of NABC Recycled Rides®.
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®.
Additional partners in this presentation include: J-Tek, Glass America, Auto Nation, Chrysler North Phoenix, LKQ, Longhouse Inventory Solutions, PROTECH Auto Solutions, Caliber Glass, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Axalta, Copart, Advanced Remarketing Services, Enterprise and Cars for Charity.
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.