Generous Collaboration Between Allstate, Dunwoody College of Technology, and NABC Recycled Rides® Schools Program That Helped Change a Minneapolis Veteran’s Life Took Place September 23
MEDIA NOTE: Photos from the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation are available HERE
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (September 26, 2026) – On Wednesday, September 23, a Minneapolis veteran received the gift of a lifetime — the donation of a beautifully refurbished vehicle to help him travel independently and attend crucial doctors’ appointments. The donation was made possible by the NABC Recycled Rides® for Schools program, vehicle donor Allstate, and repair partner Dunwoody College of Technology.
The presentation was made at the Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis. The recipient was nominated by Hennepin County Homeless Access. Hennepin Shelter Hotline serves Hennepin County residents who are seeking emergency shelter by helping them find a safe, temporary place to stay while they work on next steps toward stable housing.
A 2020 Hyundai Elantra SEL, donated by Allstate and refurbished by the students at Dunwoody School of Technology in Minneapolis, was presented to Robert Hanson.
“This unique initiative brings together every single sector of the automotive and collision industries to solve a massive community problem,” said Brian Briske, Assistant Professor, Automotive Collision & Refinishing, Dunwoody College of Technology. “This has also been an opportunity for our students to do something with their skills that gave back to community. Today, we aren’t just giving away a set of keys; we are handing over a tool to help transformation. Thank you all for being here, for believing in the power of generosity, and for helping make this possible. This has been a great experience for our students, and an opportunity for them to use their newly developed skills to help the Minneapolis community.”
Robert Hanson as a U.S. Navy Airman from 1993-1997 and was honorably discharged. He has suffered severe health problems since his separation from the military, making it difficult for him to move about to accomplish day-to-day activities. Public transportation is very difficult for Hanson. He is in dire need of a vehicle due to his inability to walk long distances. He has severe swelling on his ankles and has severe back issues to go along with severe asthma and fibromyalgia issues. This NABC Recycled Rides® vehicle will help Hanson with his day-to-day duties and crucial appointments with his doctors.
“I’m just blown away and so thankful to everybody involved,” said recipient Robert Hanson. “Big-time game changer for me because I’ve been walking everywhere to get food. So now I can finally shop at more reasonable places and buy in bulk, and whatever you need a vehicle. I’ll be able to get out there and enjoy life again.”
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: Caliber Collision, Highland Collision, Hopkins Autobody, Luther Collision, Bonfe Auto Service, LKQ, Superior Collision, AAA Auto Parts, Morries Hyundai, Advanced Remarketing Services, Cars for Charity and Copart.
Allstate, a Level One partner of the National Auto Body Council®, has donated nearly 400 vehicles to people and organizations through the NABC Recycled Rides® program, making it one of the largest vehicle donor partners of NABC Recycled Rides®.
Dunwoody College of Technology is a private, non-profit technical college located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded in 1914, it stands out as the only private, non-profit technical college in the Upper Midwest, specializing in hands-on, applied technical education.
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. The NABC Recycled Rides for Schools program s an extension of the successful national program, NABC Recycled Rides®, geared towards technical schools and colleges. NABC Recycled Rides® for Schools provide students enrolled in vocational schools with a valuable opportunity to learn their trade with hands-on training on late-model vehicles. Equally important, the program provides students with the opportunity to experience the rewards of helping make a difference in someone’s life
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.