NABC® Award to Recognize Outstanding Community Leaders
PORT CHARLOTTE (September 24, 2026) – The National Auto Body Council® announced it is opening the nominations for its 2026 awards – the NABC® Changing and Saving Lives Award, which formally recognizes individuals for their leadership of and commitment to improving the collision repair industry.
The NABC® Changing and Saving Lives Award recognizes the individual in the collision repair industry who has delivered exemplary service in the NABC® mission of Changing and Saving Lives Every Day, far beyond their role in the industry. Individuals may be nominated by a member of the NABC® Board of Directors or by the public. This award will be presented this fall, and the recipient will receive an engraved trophy to signify their accomplishments. In addition, the NABC® will make a contribution to a charitable organization in the recipient’s name.
Deserving individuals may be nominated for the NABC® Changing and Saving Lives award by a member of the NABC® Board of Directors or by the public. The nominee should demonstrate the following criteria:
- Enthusiasm for giving back to the community
- Viewed as someone who enriches their community
- Partnership or tie with local community
- Willingness to volunteer
- Commitment to helping others
- Exemplifies the integrity and professionalism of collision industry professionals
- Went above and beyond during a time of crisis or peril to provide support and assistance
Nominations will run through October 15, 2026. Entry forms are available here. Previous nominees can be re-nominated for their continued work in the community. For more information, contact the NABC® Awards Committee Chair at NABCAwards@nationalautobodycouncil.org.
“As our organization has grown and evolved, we have an opportunity to work with so many great leaders, companies and charities across the country,” said Debby Robinson, executive director of the National Auto Body Council®. “We were honored to present the 2025 NABC® President’s Award to Allstate and the NABC® Changing and Saving Lives Award to Bob Waldron, owner of four CARSTAR locations in Massachusetts, and John Hamdan and Anne Kolea, owners of Dynasty Auto Body in New Jersey. We look forward to seeing the deserving nominees for this year’s awards.”
Previous nominees can be re-nominated for their continued work in the community. For more information, contact the NABC® Awards Committee Chair at NABCAwards@nationalautobodycouncil.org.
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/ .