Generous Collaboration Between Travelers, Caliber Collision and NABC Recycled Rides® Changing a Tennessee Family’s Life Took Place September 17
MEDIA NOTE: Photos from the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation are available HERE
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (September 18, 2026) – On Thursday, September 17, a Gold Star widow from the Nashville area received a life changing gift—the donation of a beautifully refurbished vehicle to honor her sacrifice and perseverance following the death of her husband. The donation was made possible by the NABC Recycled Rides® program, vehicle donor Travelers, and repair partner Caliber Collision.
The presentation was made at the Caliber Collision located in Franklin, TN. The recipient was nominated by the Joshua Chamberlain Society (JCS) of Nashville. The JCS Nashville Chapter is grassroots, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing lifelong support to severely wounded military veterans and the families of service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
A 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude, donated by Travelers and refurbished by the technicians at Caliber Collision of Franklin, was presented to Luisa Vargas.
“A huge thank you to the Caliber Collision team, Travelers Insurance team and the NABC Recycled Rides Program for a job well done,” said Fletcher Tidwell of the Joshua Chamberlain Society. “I know it was such a special day for Luisa [Vargas] and her family. Thank you all for all the work and coordination that you put into blessing her with a new ride, which looked amazing!”
Vargas was widowed November 8th, 2010, when her husband and father of their three children was “killed in action” while serving as a Specialist in the U.S. Army. She was left to raise their children without a father while dealing with the personal trauma of being a young war widow. Her oldest son, Nate, is out of the household on his own now. Vargas’ second son, Lucas, is a rising sophomore in college and has her vehicle with him there during the school year. Olivia, Vargas’ daughter, is a rising high school senior and very active in cheerleading, drama and much more. Vargas drives a car owned by her partner to work part-time and to run Olivia (who presently does not have a driver’s license) to her many school and extracurricular activities. A reliable vehicle, which Vargas cannot afford to purchase will make her life so much easier and manageable. As a deserving Gold Star spouse, this NABC Recycled Rides® vehicle will honor her sacrifice and perseverance for the loss she has experienced the last 16 years since her husband gave his life for our freedom and be a tremendous blessing to the Vargas family.
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: Enterprise, Copart, Advanced Remarketing Services and Cars for Charity.
Travelers, a level one member of the NABC®, has donated more than 100 vehicles to people and organizations in need through NABC Recycled Rides®.
Caliber Collision, also a Level One partner, has donated more than 600 vehicles to military service members, veterans and other individuals in need of reliable transportation over the last 12 years. All Caliber locations are I-CAR Gold Certified repair facilities.
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.
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.