MEDIA NOTE: Photos and Video from the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation are available HERE
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (November 13, 2025) – On Veterans Day, November 11, an Orlando veteran received a life-changing gift—the donation of a beautifully refurbished vehicle to help as he continues to get back on his feet following the COVID pandemic. The donation was made possible by the NABC Recycled Rides® program, vehicle donor GEICO and repair partner Crash Champions.
The presentation took place at the GEICO offices location in Lakeland, FL, as part of a special Giving Tuesday to celebrate Veterans Day. The recipient was nominated by My Veterans Place Savannah. My Veterans Place Savannah provides housing assistance, resources and mental health support to help veterans thrive, connect and rebuild their lives with dignity.
“On Veterans’ Day and every day, it’s an honor to give back to our veterans and help them on their journey,” said Dale Ross, Program Director, NABC Recycled Rides program. We’re proud to help Calvin [Sawyers] in his pursuit of solid employment and a better future with this gift of reliable transportation.”
A 2023 Nissan Rogue SV, donated by GEICO and refurbished by Crash Champions, was presented to Calvin Sawyers, who served in the United States Marines from 2012 – 2016. After honorably serving his country, Sawyers encountered a wave of personal trials when the COVID pandemic hit. He lost his job and, despite his tireless efforts, has struggled to find employment since. The weight of this loss has been compounded by the internal challenges he continues to face from his military service. Sawyers and his wife shared a vehicle that was their lifeline, but unfortunately the engine gave out leaving them without reliable transportation. For a man determined to regain his footing and support his family, having a working vehicle is more than just a convenience, it’s a vital step toward rebuilding his life. This refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides® program will not only give him the means to seek employment and handle daily tasks but also restore a sense of independence and hope.
GEICO, a Level One partner of the National Auto Body Council®, has donated more than a thousand vehicles to people and organizations through NABC Recycled Rides, making it the largest car donor partner of NABC Recycled Rides.
Crash Champions, a Level One partner of the National Auto Body Council®, has refurbished more than 250 vehicles for people and organizations through NABC Recycled Rides® program.
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 3,500 vehicles valued at some $51 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 3,500 vehicles and provided extrication opportunities for some 6,000 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.