Presentation of the NABC Recycled Rides® Took Place June 24 at the Crash Champions in Chesapeake, VA in Celebration of the Nation’s Upcoming 250th Birthday
MEDIA NOTE: Photos from the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation are available HERE
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (June 26, 2026) – On Wednesday, June 24, two United States military veterans from the Chesapeake, VA area received a gift fit for the nation’s 250th birthday — the donation of two beautifully refurbished vehicles to assist them now in their lives as civilians and as they care for their families. The donations were made possible by the NABC Recycled Rides® program, vehicle donor GEICO and repair partner Crash Champions.
The presentation took place at the Crash Champions in Chesapeake, VA. Crash Champions donates multiple vehicles each year to people in need in their local community.
Those who wish to support this life-changing program can do so in one of 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.
“We took the vehicles and completely refurbished them,” said Rob Ferguson of Crash Champions. “We handled all the maintenance, the body damage and made sure it was in safe operating condition. We repaired and painted it and got both vehicles back to basically driving on the lot condition.”
A 2018 Honda Civic EX, donated by GEICO and refurbished by the technicians at Crash Champions in Chesapeake, VA, was presented to Nathan Mercer. Heis an U.S. Army veteran who served from 2000 to 2009, including service in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Even now, he continues to give back by volunteering with Operation Love to provide essential items like food, clothing, and hygiene products to those in need, and supporting Fountain of Hope through his time and presence. At the same time, Mercer is navigating very real and difficult circumstances. As a permanently disabled veteran, he is unable to work and is currently receiving ongoing medical services. His appointments are in Richmond, VA, which makes reliable transportation not just helpful, but essential to his well-being. Right now, Mercer depends on a friend to get to appointments and meet his daily needs, which places a burden on both and limits his independence. Despite this, he continues to show up for others, serve his community, and do his best to maintain stability within his household. Receiving the gift of reliable transportation will make a meaningful and immediate difference in Mercer’s life. This refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides® program will allow him to consistently attend his medical appointments, maintain his overall well-being, and regain a sense of independence. Just as importantly, it will enable him to continue the work he is so passionate about, serving others and being a light within his community.
“It’s overwhelming, words can’t explain how happy I am, and it feels good to see that you have organizations and foundations out there that help out veterans,” said recipient Nathan Mercer.
A 2019 Nissan Rogue S, donated by GEICO and refurbished by the technicians at Crash Champions in Norfolk, VA, was presented to Christina Riggins. Sheis an honorably discharged U.S. Navy veteran who served 14 years for our country. Today, she continues at the same level of commitment in her role as a single mother, working hard to provide a stable and supportive life for her children. At this time, she does not have a vehicle and must rely on others or expensive rideshare services to meet her daily responsibilities. This has created significant stress and ongoing challenges, from getting to work and attending her own appointments to managing the many demands of caring for her family. Reliable transportation is especially critical for Riggins because her youngest son is a liver transplant patient and requires frequent, specialized medical care. Many of his appointments are in the District of Columbia, which is a 3-hour drive, making consistent and dependable transportation essential to his health and well-being. Despite these challenges, Riggins continues to show resilience and an unwavering commitment to her children. This refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides® program will provide her with a sense of independence, relieve significant financial stress, and most importantly, ensure that her son can consistently access the medical care he needs. Riggins’ story is one of service, sacrifice, and strength. Providing her with reliable transportation will be a meaningful way to support a mother who has given so much and continues to give everything she has to her family.
“I’m feeling excited,” said recipient Christina Riggins said. “I’m thankful, very excited, and very thankful.”
Additional partners in this presentation include: Priority Acura, Enterprise, Advanced Remarketing Services, Copart and Cars for Charity.
GEICO, a Level One partner of the National Auto Body Council®, has donated more than 1,000 vehicles to people and organizations through NABC Recycled Rides®, making it the largest car donor partner of NABC Recycled Rides®.
Crash Champions, also a Level One partner of the National Auto Body Council®, has gifted more than 250 vehicles to people and organizations through NABC Recycled Rides®.
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.