We need to come together as we've never come together before: The sentiment expressed by over 50 industry leaders in a conference call on Friday, Sept. 2 to address the industry's response to the Katrina disaster.
 

Sulkala

"Our people down there will need jobs more than anything else," said Chuck Sulkala, executive director of the National Auto Body Council (NABC). Sulkala proposed that shops all over the country that need technicians commit to hire skilled workers from the effected Gulf States - Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama - and that the industry as a whole raise the funds to pay the myriad of relocation expenses. There was a consensus of those on the conference call that NABC could have a greater impact by working on mid-range solutions such as moving techs and their families out of the area by finding them jobs and apartments than by just raising relief money. 

Task: Rebuilding lives

"We've got to get them out of those shelters and help them start rebuilding a life," said one participant on the call.

"The objective," said Sulkala, "is not simply moving people from one location to another. The goal is to help our people with no home or job to start rebuilding their lives, to get back to functioning as families, with a job, basic work tools, housing, transportation and kids back in school."

The Collision Industry Foundation (CIF) has set up a special account for relief aid contributions. NABC, along with the Society of Collision Repair Specialists and the Alliance of Automotive Service Professionals, are asking their state and local affiliate associations for help finding a home and a job for industry members in need. "We are in the process of setting up a specific website to record and enter all the information from those who can hire a displaced family.

Available immediately is a collision industry Katrina blog (a web site on which you can post your comments) for those who need help and those who can offer it. The blog is at asashop.org, the web site of the Automotive Services Association (ASA).

Infrastructure

Chase

NABC is asking shops that are able to provide employment also consider assisting with housing, transportation, clothing, furniture, and relocation costs. Sulkala cautioned however, that "the inability of a shop to provide this total relocation package should not stop them from posting a job opening. The job is the most important part of the package." In such cases, the Collision Industry Foundation will step in to provide additional relocation assistance.

"We have set up committees to focus on relocation to new areas, tool replacement, fundraising and communication," said Sulkala. The Fundraising Committee is headed by Doug Webb and the Relocation Committee by Michael Quinn. Additionally, insurers and their CAT teams are being asked to pass the word in the effected areas that collision industry jobs will be available. The Salvation Army and Red Cross are being advised as well. "By helping our own," Sulkala said, "we can free up their resources so they can help others."

The Collision Industry Foundation, an IRS approved Charitable Foundation is charged with collecting and distributing these funds. All funds earmarked for Katrina Relief will be used only for that purpose. In addition, Doug Webb, Chairman of the Collision Industry Foundation has announced that the 'Hop on the Bus' raffle, being conducted by NABC and chaired by Karen Fierst, will be increasing the number of tickets sold in order to provide additional revenue for assistance.

To donate today

Tax deductible contributions can be sent to: Collision Industry Foundation - Katrina Fund, Collision Industry Foundation, PO BOX 3007, Mechanicsville VA 23116. In additional, the Foundation will also be able to take credit card donations online within the week at the Foundation website www.collisionindustryfoundation.org

"This industry-wide effort once again demonstrates our industry's generosity," concluded Sulkala. "We are doing more than providing money. We are providing a future. As I said in another message, people in our industry have lost their homes; many have lost their jobs; perhaps a few have even lost their lives. We cannot let those who remain lose hope."

Christmas Toy Drive for Katrina victims

In California, Los Angeles I-CAR Chairman Toby Chess announced that he is starting immediately a Christmas toy drive for the children whose families have lost everything in the disaster. "The major relief organizations will take care of the essentials, but when Christmas rolls around, we want to make sure those kids aren't wondering why Santa forgot them," said Chess, who last year organized a successful toy drive for victims of the California wildfires. To help Chess in this effort, e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it