Fix Auto, Crash Champions, and Class Act Auto Body Refurbished the Vehicles at the NABC Palm Springs Changing and Saving Lives Golf Fundraiser Presented by Enterprise at the Desert Willow Golf Resort
MEDIA NOTE: Photos from the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation are available HERE
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (January 22, 2026) – On Tuesday, January 20, three Palm Springs area residents each received life-changing gifts—the donation of beautifully refurbished vehicles to help them care for their families. The donations were made possible by the NABC Recycled Rides® program, vehicle donors Allstate and the Interinsurance Exchange of the Automobile Club and repair partners Fix Auto Cathedral City, Crash Champions and Class Act Auto Body.
The presentation was part of the NABC Palm Springs Changing and Saving Lives Fundraiser sponsored by Enterprise at the Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert, CA. 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.
A 2022 Honda Civic, donated by Allstate and refurbished by Fix Auto Cathedral City, was presented to Maria Flores. Maria is a devoted single mother doing everything she can to provide stability for her six-year-old daughter, who faces developmental and health challenges. Their lives were abruptly changed last year when they were hit by a drunk driver. Although her daughter was not seriously injured, she now experiences nightmares and anxiety because of the trauma. Maria sustained serious injuries. The accident also caused the loss of their only vehicle. Maria relies on lengthy bus commutes, rides from friends and family, or walking to reach work, medical appointments and grocery stores. This refurbished vehicle from NABC Recycled Rides® will allow Maria to maintain steady employment, ensure that her daughter can safely attend medical and developmental appointments and restore a sense of security and independence that was taken from them.
“It’s going to change my life in a positive way allowing me to get to work and school,” said Flores. “I won’t have to ask anyone for a ride. I can take care of my kids and take my daughter to activities, get her back into gymnastics and go to the park. You guys are great for saving and changing lives, thank you.”
A 2021 Honda Civic, also donated by Allstate and refurbished by Crash Champions, was presented to Kevin James. James served in the United States Navy, including a tour in Lebanon. Once the veteran got out the military, he found it was a difficult transition due to stress he was not even aware that he had. He found it hard to maintain employment which led to homelessness and separation from his family. The veteran found himself alone and suffering from PTSD. A refurbished vehicle from NABC Recycled Rides® will allow him to continue his path to recovery and allow him to get to a reliable job and attend his health appointments.
“This car is beautiful, I’m really thankful and appreciative,” said James. “This lets me know there is a God because this is truly a blessing. I feel honored and I’m very grateful. Thanks to everybody that helped and everybody that was involved”
A 2021 Toyota Camry, donated by the Interinsurance Exchange of the Automobile Club and refurbished by Class Act Auto Body, was presented to Cheryl Piccirilli, a single mother with three adult children. She still helps her children with their educational expenses, while working full-time at the Sy Kaplan VA Clinic as a Phlebotomist. Her current vehicle is breaking down. It has transmission problems and would cost more than the car is worth and more than she can afford. This refurbished vehicle from NABC Recycled Rides® will allow Cheryl to continue her important work at the Sy Kaplan VA Clinic serving veteransin need.
“This is really awesome, and it makes a huge difference in my life because over the last year I’ve been having a lot of car issues, very expensive ones,” said Piccirilli. “I’m a single person and have to get to work. This is amazing and I’m just grateful to everyone that had a part in this. It’s just amazing.”
Allstate, a Level One partner of the National Auto Body Council®, has donated nearly 350 vehicles to people and organizations through the NABC Recycled Rides® program, making it one of the largest car donor partners of NABC Recycled Rides®.
The Interinsurance Exchange of the Auto Club 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.
Fix Auto USA is part of the Driven Brands family of automotive brands. Fix Auto Cathedral City is an I-CAR Gold Certified repair facility and has refurbished numerous vehicles for local residents in need through the NABC Recycled Rides® program.
Crash Champions, also a Level One partner of the National Auto Body Council®, has gifted nearly 270 vehicles to people and organizations through NABC Recycled Rides®.
Class Act Auto Body, an I-CAR Gold Certified repair facility, is known for its expertise, honesty, and stellar service. Combined with exceptional skill and auto repair knowledge they use the latest in advanced technology and techniques to ensure the customer’s vehicle comes back looking like new. This was their first vehicle refurbished for the NABC Recycled Rides® program.
Additional partners in this presentation include: Enterprise, Midway Car Rental, M&M Auto Wrecking & Towing Center, Smitty’s Auto Paints, Auto Tech Solution LLC, Jr’s Auto Glass LLC, Nevco Calibrations LLC, Axalta, 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.™). 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.