Presentation of the NABC Recycled Ride® Changing a Wisconsin Guardsman’s Life Took Place July 21 Thanks to Gerber Collision & Glass and the NABC Recycled Rides® Program
MEDIA NOTE: Photos from the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation are available HERE
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (July 23, 2026) – On Tuesday, July 21, a reservist in the Wisconsin Air National Guard received a much-needed gift—the donation of a beautifully refurbished vehicle to help as he continues his service to the guard, while also seeking better employment opportunities. The donation was made possible by the NABC Recycled Rides® program, vehicle donor American Family and repair partner Gerber Collision and Glass.
The presentation took place at American Family Field in Milwaukee as part of the Milwaukee Brewers game against the New York Mets. The recipient was nominated by Stand Down Madison, whose mission is to link community partners by offering a wide variety of essential services and providing ‘a hand-up not a hand-out’ to veterans experiencing, or at risk of homelessness.
“Reliable transportation is a need in our communities and we’re able to partner with folks like NABC and Gerber Collision & Glass to help deserving individuals who work hard,” said Tim Constein, chief claims officer for American Family Insurance. “And as Hakeem Williams continues his education and finishes up his service career, he gets to give back to the community, too.”
Hakeem Williams’ commitment to our country is reflected in his decorated service with the Air National Guard and the 115th Security Forces Squadron, in which he has received numerous medals and honors. He is also a deeply dedicated member of the community, regularly volunteering his time with Stand Down Madison, while balancing the demands of active-duty service in the National Guard. Most impressively, Williams manages these roles as a full-time single father. His ability to navigate military service, higher education, and the responsibility of parenthood demonstrates incredible resilience and integrity. Despite these achievements, the lack of reliable transportation remains a monumental barrier for him. Balancing military duty stations, school schedules, and the needs of his children without a vehicle creates a daily struggle that limits his professional and personal growth. A refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides® program will immediately enhance his military readiness, expand his employment opportunities, and provide his children with the stability they deserve. This gift is more than just a car; it is an investment in a service member and father who has already proven he will give back to his community twofold.
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: Toyota of Brookfield, Copart, Advanced Remarketing Services and Cars for Charity.
Gerber Collision & Glass, a Level One member of the NABC®, was founded in 1937 as a single glass and trim shop and has grown to be one of the largest auto collision and glass repair companies in North America. Gerber Collision & Glass locations are all I-CAR Gold Certified repair facilities.
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.