MEDIA NOTE: Photos and Video from the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation are available HERE
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (November 13, 2025) – On Wednesday, November 12, a sailor based in San Diego received a life-changing gift—the donation of a beautifully refurbished vehicle to help as she pursues a career as a lawyer. The donation was made possible by the NABC Recycled Rides® program, vehicle donor GEICO and repair partner Classic Collision.
The presentation took place at the GEICO office in Poway, as part of a special of their Veterans Day celebration. The recipient was nominated by Paralyzed Veterans of America, Cal-Diego Chapter. The Paralyzed Veterans of America Cal-Diego Chapter’s mission is to improve the quality of life for veterans of the United States Armed Forces and others who have spinal cord injury or disorders.
“On Veterans’ Day and every day, it’s an honor to give back to our veterans and help them on their journey,” said NABC Board member Gene Lopez. “We’re proud to help this sailor pursue her dreams and support her sister with this gift of reliable transportation.”
A 2018 Honda CR-V EX, donated by GEICO and refurbished by Classic Collision, was presented to Semajia Mims, who is currently serving in the United States Navy at Naval Base San Diego. She joined the Navy in Augusta, GA, seeking more structure in her life. Mims wanted the opportunity to serve her country, see the world, and pursue higher education. She plans to go to college to obtain a master’s degree in law and eventually become a lawyer or paralegal. Mims wants to be an example for her younger sister. This refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides® program will help her as she pursues her dreams…ultimately to help foster kids and others in need.
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.
Classic Collision was established in 1983 with one single goal: offer quality service with integrity and honesty. For over 35 years, Classic Collision has continued to do this by employing the best talent and using the highest-quality materials. Their locations are all I-Car Gold Certified.
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.