The National Auto Body Association (NABC) has succeeded in raising the $50,000 needed to send two competitors to the WorldSkills event in Helsinki, Finland, announced Teresa Bolton, chairman of the fundraising effort. 

"I presented this concept to the National Auto Body Council this past April," said Bolton. "The Board of Directors accepted the challenge, and, in less than a year was able to raise the revenue required to send a collision repair student and a collision refinish student to the WorldSkills competition.

"We received many, many donations," Bolton continued. "None were too small to be appreciated. Some pledged a certain amount, but said more would be forthcoming if there was a shortfall. This list of contributors is extensive, but it was those companies and individuals who contributed $500 or more that really allowed us to meet our goal, and they deserve special recognition.

"Those rising to that special challenge are Leading Edge, Sports and Imports Collision, Nick Gojmeric, Collision Week, NABC Golf Outing, The Pups, CSi Complete, Dupont Performance Coatings, Car-O-Liner, SnapOn Tools, Equipment Services Inc., Society of Collision Repair Specialists, ABPA, GEICO, ADP, ASE, 3M, Motor Information Systems, Ford Motor Company, Sterling Collision Centers, Caliber Collision Centers and Sherwin-Williams.

"And I particularly want to thank those that contributed the maximum $3,000. They are BASF, Akzo-Nobel Coatings, CARSTAR Inc. and General Motors Corporation."

"Teresa did a magnificent job putting this project together," stated Guy Bargnes, NABC president. "Much of this took place under the watch of my predecessor and current Collision Industry Foundation Chairman Doug Webb. So he deserves credit as well."

Collision Repair Olympics

"WorldSkills takes place every two years," Bolton continued. "It is my hope that people who donated $100 this year will find it in their hearts to donate an additional $50. And if they donate another $50 next year, we will, again, be able to enter a team in the competition.

"If we don't nurture our future, we may not have one," concluded Bolton. "This is the Olympics for our Industry's future craftsmen. I don't know how many children were inspired to become gymnasts when they saw Mary Lou Retton win a gold medal, but I hope the same thing happens when the U.S. WorldSkills team returns having presented themselves admirably."