On Sept. 3, a member of the U.S. Air Force received a fully refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides program in a presentation that also included legendary Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook.
The recipient, Keskel Yatrofsky, nominated by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Pennsylvania, received a 2023 Toyota Camry, generously donated by USAA, the official NFL Salute to Service partner, and refurbished by the technicians of 3D Auto Body and Collision, a member of Certified Collision Group.
“These young men don’t want a hand out, they deserve a hand up, they need to be able to drive back and forth to work and that’s what we want to provide to them,” said Westbrook. “We’re blessed to have these young men and women serve us and help us and protect us. To be able to see the smile on Keskel’s face as he received this car was absolutely great.”
Yatrofsky is currently an airman first class in the Air Force stationed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. In receiving this refurbished vehicle, Yatrofsky will be able to embrace his service to our country without having to worry about how he will get to work, training or any off-base adventures. On weekends, he will no longer be confined to the on-base dorms, as a refurbished vehicle will allow him the freedom to explore.
Pennsylvania played a critical role in establishing the VFW of the United States. A framed flag at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Pennsylvania’s headquarters in Harrisburg shows that Post #1 of the forerunner of the VFW — the American Veterans of Foreign Service — started in Philadelphia. They are among the national leaders in VFW program activity and funds raised to support VFW and community projects. This success shows they are first and foremost a service organization.
“I was definitely not expecting something so awesome to happen, but I’m glad that it did,” said Yatrofsky. “It changes my life in giving me the ability to work better for the 305th Air Mobility Wing and the 2nd Air Refueling Squadron. It also allows me the ability to get out in the community and work within the neighborhood a lot more.”
USAA, a Level One partner of the NABC, 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.
3D Auto Body and Collision Centers is an MSO that has served the western and northern Philadelphia suburbs for more than 35 years. All locations are I-CAR Gold certified, and a member of the Certified Collision Group. CCG was founded in 2014 on a simple premise to level the playing field for the independent collision repair operator.
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 program in 2007, members of the NABC have donated more than 3,500 vehicles valued at some $51 million.
Additional partners in this presentation included Certified Collision Group, Copart, Advanced Remarketing Services and Cars for Charity.
