MEDIA NOTE: Photos and Video from the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation are available HERE
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (December 19, 2025) – On Tuesday, USAA, Crash Champions, and the NABC Recycled Rides program presented two Colorado Springs, CO, veterans in need each a life-changing gift—the donation of a beautifully refurbished vehicle as they continue to pursue their goals and care for their family.
The presentation took place at the Crash Champions location in Colorado Springs, CO. The recipients were nominated by Freedom Mobility Foundation and the Veterans Health Administration. Freedom Mobility Foundation was created to restore mobility for active military, veterans, first responders and anyone impacted by physical impairments that substantially limit one or more major life activities. The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,380 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,193 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9.1 million enrolled Veterans each year.
A 2023 GMC Sierra, donated by USAA and refurbished by the technicians at Crash Champions, was presented to Matt Spang. Heis a U.S. Army Veteran with two Purple Hearts. Spang began his military service in August 2006 at the age of 20, enlisting as a 12B Combat Engineer. He deployed to Iraq in 2008-2009 and again to Afghanistan in 2011. During his deployment to Helmand Province, Matt survived three separate IED blasts. The final incident occurred on December 7, 2011, when his vehicle was struck by two roadside bombs. He was evacuated to Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, TX, where he underwent a bilateral below-the- knee amputation. After two years of intensive rehabilitation, Matt medically retired from the U.S. Army on November 21, 2013. Today, Matt is a devoted husband to his wife, Janelle. Matt is also a dedicated stay-at-home father to his stepson and daughter. In addition to caring for his family, he works part-time with a nonprofit organization that supports disabled veterans. This refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides® program will greatly benefit Matt and his family, helping them stay active, connected, and supported in their day-to-day lives.
“I’m hoping that this truck will be able to help me help other veterans,” said Spang. “Sometimes we travel out of state and so this will help us to be able to travel and adapt to new equipment.”
A 2024 Toyota Highlander, also donated by USAA and refurbished by the technicians at Crash Champions, was presented to Keith Proctor. He is a U.S. Air Force combat veteran who served his country honorably, was wounded in battle, and now is beginning a second career. He is attending school to become a software engineer. Procter is a solo father of four. In his spare time this veteran also works as a personal trainer and a boxing coach for youth that do not have a father present in their life. Procter also describes himself as a youth football coach. This refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides® program will allow Keith to continue rebuilding his life and care for his family.
“I’m beyond happy, I’ve never had anything like this happen to me in my life so I’m still trying to figure out and get the words to explain how much this means to me,” said Proctor.
USAA, a Level One partner of the National Auto Body Council®, has donated more than 150 vehicles to people and organizations through NABC Recycled Rides®. Founded in 1922 by a group of military officers, USAA is among the leading providers of insurance, banking and retirement solutions and serves 14 million members of the U.S. military, veterans who have honorably served and their families. Each year, the company contributes to national and local nonprofits in support of military families and communities where employees live and work.
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®.
Additional partners in this presentation include: Discount Tire, Patriot Hail, Stevenson Toyota, Mike Maroone Chevrolet, R&K Towing, Copart, Advanced Remarketing Services, and Cars for Charity
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.