Presentation of the NABC Recycled Ride® Took Place May 22 at Angelo’s Auto Body in Irvington, NJ
MEDIA NOTE: Photos and video from the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation are available HERE
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (May 24, 2026) – On Friday, May 22, a U.S. Army veteran, with two tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, received a life changing gift — a beautifully refurbished vehicle to assist his family with day-to-day activities, transport himself to VA medical appointments, and help fellow veterans in the community. The donation was made possible by the NABC Recycled Rides® program, vehicle donor GEICO and repair partner Flawless Collision & Autobody.
The presentation took place at Angelo’s Auto Body in Irvington, NJ and the vehicle was refurbished by Flawless Collision. The recipient was nominated by New Jersey Veterans Network. New Jersey Veterans Network is a volunteer mobile outreach program that is completely dedicated to helping veterans and their families live a better life.
A 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander ES, donated by GEICO and refurbished by the technicians at Flawless Collision & Autobody, was presented to Gregory Backer. Heserved in the United States Army for 12 plus years, while doing two combat tours overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. He served honorably for his country alongside other service members. While in the service he worked with Artillery and Logistics and served as a leader within a drill sergeant unit. Gregory loved being around service members and training them. Upon completion of his duty and being honorably discharged from the military, he wanted to continue serving and devoted time to help other fellow veterans and veterans’ organizations alike; in a way to continue to give back. This refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides® program will allow Gregory to continue his work within the veterans’ community and allow him to continue contributing to his country.
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®.
Flawless Collision & Autobody, an I-Car Gold Class shop, has been in operation for 17 years. Their dedication to customer service and quality work has given them the opportunity to create a business that can be trusted.
Additional partners in this presentation include: Parts Authority, Continental Auto Parts, Buy Wise Auto Parts, Cherry Hill Mitsubishi, LKQ, KSI Auto Parts, Evolussion Tire Company, Bell Mitsubishi, Down Neck Towing, Enterprise, Copart, Advanced Remarketing Services 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.