MEDIA CONTACT:
Deborah Robinson
312.505.4336
drobinson@nationalautobodycouncil.org
Car Presentation Was Held in Conjunction with Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association (CIECA) CONNEX Annual Convention
MEDIA NOTE: Photos and video from the NABC Recycled Rides® Presentation are available here
ST. LOUIS, MO (September 18, 2022) – On Tuesday, September 13, a local U.S. Air Force veteran experienced a life-changing event – the presentation of a vehicle to provide him independence that comes with having his own reliable transportation – thanks to the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides® program along with car donor Allstate, collision repairer Caliber Collision and charity partner Missouri Veterans Endeavor.
The event was part of the Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association (CIECA) CONNEX Annual Conference in St Louis, MO. this week.
Paul Barry, Executive Director of CIECA said, “We have been working with the NABC Recycled Rides® program for several years now, and we are proud to host these amazing giftings and see the impact that our industry can have on people’s lives when we all come together for a common cause.”
Chavarria (Chevy) Harris, an U.S. Air Force veteran, received a 2021 KIA Soul, which will be essential for Chevy to maintain his living independently. Chevy has medical issues that do not allow him to stand for prolong periods of time. As a result, he is unable to walk to, or stand at, a bus stop for public transportation. It is impossible for him to go grocery shopping and carry his items onto any type of public transportation. Chevy has relied on ridesharing services to get to and from work and medical appointments. These rides, as well as using meal delivery services, places a large financial burden on his budget. He has often had to pass on work shifts due to high prices of Uber fares.
The vehicle was donated by Allstate, and repaired by Caliber Collision of Fenton, MO.
“I want to thank everyone for this beautiful car,” said Harris. “It’s quite a surprise and shock! I greatly appreciate everyone who has contributed to making this happen.”
“I am incredibly touched, as a veteran myself, that the NABC reached out to us to honor our veteran Chevy Harris,” said Bill Wallace, president and executive director of Missouri Veterans Endeavor. “This is truly a game-changer for him to have reliable transportation, which is something that affects so many veterans and families fighting homelessness. We were truly honored to be a part of this event.”
“The National Auto Body Council is all about bringing together all the members of the collision repair industry to help those in need in our communities,” said Bill Garoutte, president and CEO of the National Auto Body Council. “It’s a great feeling that with each car we gift, we are providing a hand up to someone who needs it in order to maintain their independence.”
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 nearly 3,000 vehicles valued at some $42 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 nearly 3,000 vehicles, provided extrication opportunities for nearly 5,000 First Responders and is helping educate students and adult drivers in communities around the country through NABC Recycled Rides®, NABC First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.™) and the NABC® Drive Out Distraction program. That effort equates to a 4:1 ROI in dollar value delivered from NABC® membership dollars. The National Auto Body Council® is changing the paradigm of how the collision industry works and is viewed. For more information, visit www.NationalautoBodyCouncil.org.
