Presentation of the NABC Recycled Ride® Took Place July 23 at CARSTAR in Orange, CA
MEDIA NOTE: Photos from the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation are available HERE
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (July 28, 2026) – On Thursday, July 23, a U.S. Air Force veteran received the gift of a lifetime — the donation of a beautifully refurbished vehicle as he continues to attend to his medical needs and seeks employment. The donation was made possible by the NABC Recycled Rides® program, vehicle donor Farmers Insurance and repair partner CARSTAR, part of the Driven Brands family of automotive brands.
The presentation took place at the CARSTAR location in Orange, CA. The recipient was nominated by the Sy Kaplan VA Clinic. The Sy Kaplan VA Clinic is a community-based outpatient facility operated by the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System.
“We are very grateful and thankful that we could participate in such a great event with partners like NABC and Farmers,” said Lisa Burney of CARSTAR. “We appreciate everyone’s time and dedication to help make the day a success.”
A 2021 Toyota Corolla, donated by Farmers and refurbished by the technicians at CARSTAR of Orange, CA, was presented to Gregory Watton. He is a U.S. Air Force veteran, who served honorably from 2001-2004. He is a 100% service-connected disabled combat veteran. While Watton’s disability presents real and ongoing challenges, he remains actively engaged in recovery, stability and rebuilding a productive, independent life. Reliable transportation is not a convenience for him—it is a critical component of his medical stability, rehabilitation progress, and ability to regain employment. Watton’s situation was significantly worsened by a motor vehicle accident in November, which severely limited his ability to travel, attend appointments, pursue work opportunities, and move freely. Since that incident, his already-limited mobility has been further compromised, creating a cascading impact on his access to care, employment, and daily functioning. This refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides® program will immediately expand Watton’s ability to pursue employment opportunities, attend interviews, engage in vocational rehabilitation, collaborate on professional projects and maintain consistent work commitments. In practical terms, vehicle assistance will directly support a transition from unemployment toward self-sufficiency and stability.
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: K&P, iPart Automotive, iTech Automotive, LKQ, Toyota Place, Crown Toyota, Enterprise, Advanced Remarketing Services, Copart and Cars for Charity.
Farmers, a level one member of the NABC®, has donated numerous vehicles to people and organizations in need through NABC Recycled Rides®.
CARSTAR, part of the Driven Brands family of automotive brands, is an I-CAR Gold Certified network. CARSTAR is North America’s largest Multi-Operator Network of independently owned 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 3,750 vehicles valued at some $67 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 3,750 vehicles valued at more than $67 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.