MEDIA CONTACT:
Dale Ross
651.207.9652
dross@nationalautobodycouncil.org
Presentation to Recipient Took Place in Apple Valley, California
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (June 10, 2025) – On Thursday, June 5, a U.S. Navy veteran who has overcome homelessness and other challenges received a profoundly life-changing gift, a fully refurbished vehicle—thanks to the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides® program, along with vehicle donor Farmers and collision repair partner Fix Auto.
The 2019 Nissan Altima was donated by Farmers and beautifully refurbished by the skilled technicians at Fix Auto of Apple Valley.
The recipient, Thomas Ellerstein, was nominated for the NABC Recycled Rides program by the Orenda Veterans Project.
Thomas Ellerstein, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, has had to depend on public transportation or walking for many years, limiting his work options. Nevertheless, he has worked steadily, but his income has not been sufficient for him to acquire a vehicle. He has faced homelessness and health issues, as well as the transportation challenge. The NABC Recycled Ride® that Ellerstein received will allow him to carry supplies and tools to his worksites. His nominator at the Orenda Veterans Project observes that receiving the vehicle will provide Ellerstein a much-needed boost, helping him to stay motivated, feel confident, and know that the odds are not stacked against him.
Farmers Insurance, a level one partner of NABC, is a frequent donor of vehicles through NABC Recycled Rides.
Fix Auto, a member of the Driven Brands network of companies serving the automotive industry, is also a level one NABC member. Fix Auto has grown since 2011 to more than 150 locations in 14 states. Fix Auto locations are I-CAR Gold Certified collision repair centers.
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 3,500 vehicles valued at some $51 million.
Additional partners in the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation included Auto Glass Now, Valley Hi Nissan, Sherwin Williams, O’Reilly Auto Parts, LKQ, Aguiar’s Towing. Advanced Remarketing Services, Cars for Charity, Enterprise, and Copart.
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 3,500 vehicles and provided extrication opportunities for some 6,000 first responders in communities around the country through NABC Recycled Rides®, NABC First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.™) and the NABC® Community Impact program. That effort equates to a 4:1 ROI in dollar value delivered from NABC® membership dollars.
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. For more information, visit www.NationalautoBodyCouncil.org.
