Recently, two South Florida moms received refurbished vehicles to help them work and care their families from the National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides program, in partnership with insurance companies that donated the vehicles and repair centers that restored them.
Both vehicles were donated by GEICO and refurbished by the technicians of Crash Champions of South Miami.
On Aug. 20, Miguelina Disla received a 2023 Chevrolet Equinox LT.
Disla migrated from the Dominican Republic to the U.S. in 2013. She worked diligently to petition for her son, Miguel, reuniting with him a year later. After joining the Arc of South Florida, she has become an exceptional teacher’s assistant, known for her strong work ethic, punctuality and respectful demeanor. After her mother began showing signs of dementia, Disla became her primary caregiver, all while balancing a full-time job and caring for her son, who has a developmental disability.
For Disla, the NABC Recycled Rides vehicle will be make life much easier. It will allow her to get to work and church, without the added stress of searching for transportation while she takes care of her mother and son.
“This is incredible, God has made this possible,” said Disla. “I have prayed for a vehicle because I did not have the means to purchase one and all of a sudden, I got approved. I want to thank everyone with NABC Recycled Rides, Crash Champions, GEICO and Enterprise and may God bless all of you. And may He continue to bless you for all this work you are doing.”
On Aug. 21, Eva Alvarado de Galvez received a 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE.
Alvarado de Galvez is an employee of the Arc of South Florida and a married mother of three children. Her eldest son has been diagnosed with developmental disabilities, prompting Alvarado de Galvez to enroll him in the early intervention program at The Arc of South Florida when he was 2 years old. Since then, she has actively participated as a volunteer in the program.
However, Alvarado de Galvez has faced transportation challenges since her vehicle fell into disrepair, forcing her to walk to school with her children or rely on public transportation. Her husband must use another older vehicle for his daily commute, approximately 25 miles from their home.
For Alvarado de Galvez, the NABC Recycled Rides vehicle will be make life much easier for her and her family. It will allow her to have a safe commute to work and ensure that her children can make it to school. It will also give Alvarado de Galvez the transportation needed to take her son to his medical appointments and therapies.
“Receiving this vehicle has been a dream of mine and now I can take my family out in it,” said Alvarado de Galvez. “I’m really thankful to everyone and to God.”
Both Alvarado de Galvez and Disla were nominated by The Arc of South Florida, which acts as the voice for all persons in South Florida with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
GEICO and Crash Champions are both Level One partners of the NABC. GEICO has donated more than 1,000 vehicles through the program, making it the largest car donor partner. Crash Champions has gifted more than 250 vehicles.
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 the presentations included Rick Case Volkswagen, Trotta Tires, Copart, Enterprise, Advanced Remarketing Services and Cars for Charity.
