Presentation of the NABC Recycled Ride® Took Place September 12 at Showtime Collision Grand Opening in Big Bear Lake, CA
MEDIA NOTE: Photos and video from the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation are available HERE
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (September 13, 2026) – On Saturday, September 12, a Los Angeles area veteran received a life altering gift — a beautifully refurbished vehicle that will assist in securing employment to help him secure financial stability. The donation was made possible by the NABC Recycled Rides® program, vehicle donor the Auto Club of Southern California and repair partner Showtime Collision.
The presentation took place at the grand opening of the new Showtime Collision store in Big Bear Lake, CA. Showtime Collision is a family-owned collision repair center proudly celebrating 40 years of service to Big Bear Valley and the surrounding mountain communities. This new location marks an exciting next chapter for second-generation owners Erica and Tyler Makeig and their family. In addition to the NABC Recycled Ride® gifting, there were tours of the new location, food and drinks available, raffle prizes and door prizes, kids’ activities and a car display.
“Showtime Collision is a family-owned business, and we are approaching our 40th anniversary in October,” said owners Erica and Tyler Makeig. “After nearly four decades of serving the mountain communities from our Running Springs facility, this new location marks a permanent expansion into Big Bear Lake, and we are proud to be part of this special presentation.”
The recipient was nominated by American Legion Post 584. The American Legion is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, boasting over 1.6 million members across more than 12,000 local posts worldwide. Chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1919 following World War I, it is built on a commitment to mentoring youth, sponsoring community programs, advocating patriotism and supporting fellow service members and veterans.
A 2025 Subaru Forester, donated by the Auto Club of Southern California and refurbished by the technicians at Showtime Collision of Big Bear Lake, was presented to Raymond Ardiles.
Ardiles enlisted in the U.S. Army at 18 and served four years in the Infantry. When he was discharged in 1981, he worked various jobs, including a combined 14 years at two different state prisons. Ardiles also worked for the post office in California and Nevada, and a state hospital prior to moving to the Big Bear Valley upon retiring at age 62. Unfortunately, three years ago he had to sell his truck to catch up on his home mortgage which was two months behind. Ardiles has since restructured his mortgage to make it more affordable and has kept on time with his payments. He has tried to find a part-time job but without a vehicle, it has been difficult. This refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides® program will greatly help Ardiles in securing employment.
“We’d like to thank the NABC, Showtime and the Auto Club of Southern California for helping change our lives,” said recipient Raymond Ardiles.
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: LKQ, PPG, A-Performance Towing, Enterprise, Advanced Remarketing Services, Cars for Charity and Copart.
The Auto Club of Southern California is a AAA-affiliated reciprocal insurer providing auto, home and other insurance products to Auto Club members in California. They have donated dozens of vehicles to Southern California residents in need.
Showtime Collision is a highly rated, family-owned auto body repair business serving the San Bernardino Mountain communities. They have been established for 40 years and are an OEM Certified collision center for 17 vehicle makes, specializing in insurance claim processing, frame alignment, and color-matched refinishing.
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.