A Portland, OR-area veteran of the U.S. Navy was honored with a fully refurbished vehicle to allow him to get to work and important community events, thanks to the National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides program, along with insurance partner USAA and collision repair partner Mackin’s Auto Body.
The presentation took place at the gala celebration of the opening of the 12th Mackin’s location, which also marked 80 years in business.
NABC, USAA and Mackin’s were joined at the event by representatives of BASF, the event sponsor, which donated the paint for the vehicle, and WESCO, a Level One member of the NABC, which filled the trunk of the donated vehicle with more than $1,500 worth of gift items for the recipient.
The partners presented a beautifully refurbished 2025 Subaru Outback to Jason Butler, who served seven years in the U.S. Navy, rising to the rank of E-5.
Butler’s work commute without a vehicle has been two hours each way. Without a vehicle, he has been unable to run simple errands or take part in community activities. He would like to volunteer and play in a sports league, but those have been out of the question. His weekly medical appointments at the VA in Vancouver, WA, tend to be full of anxiety because of the associated stress of long waiting times if an appointment is missed due to transportation issues.
With his own NABC Recycled Rides vehicle, Butler will gain more reliable access to medical care, improved mental well-being, and the opportunity to reconnect with friends and community.
Butler was nominated for the donation by Fort Kennedy, a veteran service organization.
USAA is a Level One member of NABC and has provided more than 100 vehicles for donation to individuals and organizations in need through NABC Recycled Rides.
Mackin’s Auto Body, a member of Certified Collision Group, has been family owned since 1945, when Bob and Doris Mackin purchased a Mobil Oil service station in North Portland. The 12 Mackin’s locations in Washington and Oregon are all I-CAR Gold certified collision repair facilities.
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 presentation included Tonkin Parts Center, Excel Window Tinting & Autospa, Industrial Finishes, Norton Abrasives, Pacific Office, Courtesy Ford, Elitek, Fix Your Dents, Advanced Remarketing Services, Cars for Charity, Copart and Enterprise.
