On April 19, two deserving Atlanta area residents, including a military veteran, received a donated vehicle to provide them independence and the ability to work and take care of their families, thanks to the National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides® program along with car donor Farmers Insurance and repair partners Classic Collision and Caliber Collision, whose teammates donated their time and skills to restore the vehicles.
The presentation was held at the 13th annual I-CAR Golf Tournament, located at The Golf Club at Bradshaw Farm in Woodstock, benefiting the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF). The deserving recipients were selected by The Warrior Alliance and Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb.
“It’s gratifying to provide needed vehicles for a military veteran and a single mom,” said Gerry Poirier, national APD strategy and process and NABC board member. “We appreciate the opportunity to work with Classic Collision and Caliber Collision on this program.”
The recipients included:
Yaka Wyatt, a single mother with a young child, nominated by Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb, received a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. She had previously lost her home, her previous car and most of her belongings through a series of unfortunate events. Her current vehicle is very old and needs significant repairs that cost more than the vehicle’s value. Since being in the Family Promise program, Wyatt has obtained employment, paid off portions of her debt and rebuilt her credit. This vehicle will allow her to continue caring for her child and progressing in her path to independence.
Jason Mindy, a U.S. Army veteran who served from 1990 to 2004, received a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. He was nominated by The Warrior Alliance. Mindy was awarded the Global War on Terrorism Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and National Defense Service Medal, and has been without a car for more than a year. He relies on public transportation to get everywhere outside of walking distance. Having a reliable form of transportation would give him much more flexibility and freedom to get to VA doctor appointments, be more active within his veteran community, and be able to have his own means of getting around.
“My first thought was wow, this is going to help me so much,” said Mindy. “I am so grateful to everyone who helped make this a reality.”
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 NABC have donated more than 3,000 vehicles valued at some $42 million.
Additional partners in the NABC Recycled Rides presentation include 1-800 Charity Cars, Enterprise, I-CAR, Caliber Auto Glass, Axalta, Accurate Wheel Repair, Nalley Hyundai, Suwanee Auto Repair, ProTech, Paintlines, CREF, Troncalli Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge, Imperial Autosports, Tri-County Chevrolet, PPG, Ultimate Auto Glass and Electronics, LKQ, Copart and AutoNation Hyundai Mall of Georgia.
Source: NABC
Abby Andrews