Car Presentation to Recipient Took Place December 20
MEDIA NOTE: Photos and video from the NABC Recycled Rides® Presentation are available (here)
DAYTONA, FL – December 22, 2023 – On December 20, a Southwest Florida area U.S. Army veteran experienced a life-changing event – the presentation of a vehicle to provide him independence and the ability to continue his volunteer efforts – thanks to the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides® program along with car donor GEICO and collision repair partner Daytona Toyota.
The presentation was held at Daytona Toyota in Florida and the deserving recipient, Quincy Lopez, received a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. He is a deserving veteran nominated by Wounded Warrior Project. Lopez is a combat veteran who dedicated nine years to the U.S. ARMY as a counterintelligence agent and intelligence analyst, earning numerous accolades. Throughout his service, Lopez faced life-threatening injuries, leading to multiple surgeries. Overcoming immense challenges and through determination and resiliency, he became an active athlete. He transitioned to Para-Olympic Sports (bob sled/Team USA), Track (team ARMY/valor games), and wheelchair basketball. His determination extended beyond sports as he pursued degrees in medicine and psychology and became a certified trainer and adaptive trainer, aiding children with disabilities and fellow veterans. Lopez passionately serves his community and helps other veterans through their journey after military service. Getting a refurbished vehicle will help Quincy continue to serve the community and stay active in the adaptive sports world.
“Receiving this vehicle has made a tremendous impact on my quality of life. It has enabled me freedom of movement, allowing me to go to the VA often and also given me the privilege of taking my son to school and picking him up. It gives us quality time together and eliminates the worry I feel when he walks alone to school. I am extremely thankful for this vehicle,” said Lopez.
“Thank you to GEICO and Daytona Toyota and all of the members of the NABC that have come together to make this happen,” said Dale Ross, program manager for the NABC Recycled Rides program. “Gifting a vehicle to someone who has worked as hard as Quincy has to overcome his challenges, and who continues to help others, makes it extra special for all of us. He is an extremely deserving veteran, and we are proud to do this for him and his family.”
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 3,200 vehicles valued at some $46 million.
Additional partners in the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation include Copart, Cars for Charity, Advanced Remarketing Services and Enterprise.
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 3,200 vehicles, provided extrication opportunities for more than 5,500 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.
