The Collision Industry Foundation (CIF) announced today that along with its current relief efforts to industry professionals of all recent natural disasters, there is a special gesture that has taken place for Houston's Kingwood Park High School's Auto Collision program, as well as for their instructor Jeff Wilson and his family.
Dedoes Industries LLC, Mettler Toledo, DeVilbiss, and Sherwin-Williams Automotive Refinishes stepped up in a big way to assist the school, while Frank LaViola of Paul Davis Restoration in Texas helped Wilson personally with his home damage and restoration.
Jeff Wilson, the Career & Technology Education department chair and collision and refinish instructor, said to CIF trustees of the donations, "Water came through our roof, into our work area and even into the filtration of the spray booth, ruining a lot of equipment. The mixing bank was cut off and we didn't have access to get to it to save our toners. We have a large number of students in our program, which is fed by 5 area schools. Had we not been able to re-open the entire program we would have lost these students to other programs. And the industry could have lost them as well. The students love the painting and it keeps them interested.
"The overwhelming support we've received from the industry, and CIF, has shown me that this industry really cares. Though we don't even know each other, we're like family. The students looked like children on Christmas morning, and they couldn't wait to get everything together and are already working with the donated supplies."
CIF relief committee leader, Michael Quinn, commented on the efforts, "Through collective industry efforts led by CIF, we were able to secure over $15,000 in equipment and material donations to ensure this Vo-Tech is back up and operating. This will help them to deliver much needed entry level technicians to our industry. Additionally, Frank LaViola's generosity in helping with the instructor's home was a Godsend. They can now begin to rebuild knowing that mold or other containments are no longer present."
Casey Steffen, CIF Trustee and Midwest Regional Sales Manager for Saint-Gobain Abrasives, AA, added his thoughts to their assistance to Kingwood, saying, "To help with their rehabilitation after Hurricane Harvey, it is so amazing that Jeff Bell and the rest of the DeVilbiss Team made such a generous donation to Kingwood Park High School. This is a true testament to the strength of the collision repair industry and aids the Collision Industry Foundation in carrying out our mission."
CIF is committed to working with all industry segments to deliver aid to those devastated by natural disasters. The CIF's mission is to deliver emergency relief directly to collision repair professionals. CIF is calling on all shops, trade groups, equipment companies, paint companies, insurance companies and all other industry organizations that can assist in this relief effort.
To donate to the Disaster Relief Fund or apply for assistance please visit http://www.collisionindustryfoundation.org, or contact us directly at Email: [email protected]. To phone Toll Free (855) 424- 3243 orDirect (804) 427-6982. CIF is utilizing all donations for emergency living and/or tool replacement expenses.
