The National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides program continues its holiday season giving, with collision repair shops and insurance partners presenting nine more refurbished vehicles to families and veterans in need over the past week.
The Recycled Rides presentations, which took place Dec. 10-17 in seven states, involved repair partners Community Collision Centers, Joe Hudson's Collision Center, Yoder Collision Network, Classic Collision, Gerber Collision & Glass, Faulkner Collision Center and Crash Champions. Insurance donors included GEICO, Farmers, Allstate, Travelers and USAA.
Recipients across the country
An Orlando-area mother of seven received a 2019 Hyundai Tucson Limited at the Community Collision Centers location in Leesburg, FL, on Dec. 11. Brittany Best works full-time as a corrections officer while raising children ranging in age from 9 months to 17 years. Despite her employment, Best and her children were struggling with housing insecurity and had been living out of their car until an accident left them without a vehicle. GEICO donated the vehicle, which was refurbished by Community Collision Centers. Additional partners included Lakeland Automall, AutoMaster of Leesburg, Barnett Tire, Total Recon, ADAS SAFE, The Truck Shop, Mystic Ice Cream, Copart, Advanced Remarketing Services and Cars for Charity.
"We have a motto that we build relationships one repair at a time, this relationship just started with you Brittany," said Larry Jaskowiak, owner of Community Collision Center in Leesburg.
In Texas, a Dallas mother received a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox at Joe Hudson's Collision Center in Princeton, TX, on Dec. 10. Silvia Castillo cares for two teenagers, one of whom is battling cystic fibrosis, a chronic disease requiring frequent medical visits and treatments. She lost her job due to her son's frequent hospitalizations. Farmers Insurance donated the vehicle. Castillo was nominated by Children's Health Dallas Cystic Fibrosis Clinic.
Helping domestic violence survivors
A Fort Collins, CO, resident received a 2020 Toyota RAV4 at an Allstate office in Timnath, CO, on Dec. 12. The recipient, who remained anonymous, is a single parent of two pursuing her Certified Nursing Assistant certification while recovering from domestic violence. She was nominated by Joy & Justice, an organization founded in 2023 to support families facing domestic violence. Allstate donated the vehicle to Recycled Rides, which was refurbished by Yoder Collision Network.
Military families
In Florida, the family of a late Palm Coast military veteran received a 2019 Lincoln MKX at the Enterprise rental location in Palm Coast on Dec. 16. Kathy Panarella recently lost her husband Frank, a military veteran who had suffered a serious back injury during service. Frank passed away suddenly just two months ago after mowing the lawn, leaving Panarella to raise their foster children alone. Their home is now in foreclosure and their vehicle was repossessed. Travelers donated the vehicle, which was refurbished by Classic Collision. Seawolf Privateers, a nonprofit supporting foster and displaced children, nominated the family.
"We are incredibly grateful to have been part of this blessing and to witness this amazing group of people come together for her and her children," said Cayti Brinegar, co-founder of Seawolf Privateers.
A Columbia, MO, mother received a 2021 Nissan Altima at Gerber Collision & Glass in Columbia on Dec. 17. Cirrie Sharp is a single mother of two young daughters who lost her vehicle in an automobile accident. She works full-time while attending a Certified Nursing Assistant program but had to temporarily leave the program due to transportation challenges. Allstate donated the vehicle. Additional partners included JC Auto and Truck Parts, Joe Machens Nissan, Alloy Wheel Repair Specialist, O'Reilly Auto Parts, NAPA Auto Parts, Joe Machens Toyota, LKQ, Copart, Advanced Remarketing Services and Cars for Charity.
"I've been gifted, but never a vehicle and I'm grateful for that," Sharp said.
A Lancaster, PA, mother received a 2020 Honda CR-V EX at Faulkner Collision Center on Dec. 17. Melinda Thomas is a single mother of two, including a special needs child requiring regular therapy appointments. The vehicle marks the eighth NABC Recycled Rides donation where Faulkner Collision Centers have teamed up with GEICO to help a Lancaster-area resident. Clare House, a transitional housing program for mothers and children facing homelessness, nominated Thomas.
Purple Heart veteran receives GMC Sierra
Two Colorado Springs veterans received vehicles at a Crash Champions location on Dec. 17. Matt Spang, a U.S. Army veteran with two Purple Hearts, received a 2023 GMC Sierra. Spang survived three separate IED blasts during his deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, with the final incident in December 2011 resulting in a bilateral below-the-knee amputation. He is now a stay-at-home father who also works part-time with a nonprofit organization supporting disabled veterans.
"I'm hoping that this truck will be able to help me help other veterans," Spang said. "Sometimes we travel out of state and so this will help us to be able to travel and adapt to new equipment."
Keith Proctor, a U.S. Air Force combat veteran, received a 2024 Toyota Highlander. Proctor is pursuing a second career in software engineering while serving as a solo father of four. He also works as a personal trainer and boxing coach for youth who do not have a father present. USAA donated both vehicles, which were refurbished by Crash Champions. Freedom Mobility Foundation and the Veterans Health Administration nominated the recipients.
Ongoing commitment
Since the inception of Recycled Rides in 2007, NABC members have donated more than 3,500 vehicles valued at approximately $51 million. The program brings together insurers who donate total-loss vehicles, collision repair shops that refurbish them at no charge and charitable organizations that identify deserving recipients.
Shops interested in participating in NABC Recycled Rides can contact the National Auto Body Council for information about becoming a repair partner.
