Industry donates $13 million in 2014 to CREF

In 2014 the collision industry provided over $13 million in donations to high school and college collision school programs through the Collision Repair Education Foundation. Over $30 million has been provided since 2008 when the Education Foundation began its philanthropic focus of assisting collision school programs and the organization has seen a 4,300% increase in donations since the $300,000 was raised in 2008. In continuing its efforts to be a lean and responsible charitable organization, the Education Foundation was able to return over ninety cents of every dollar donated towards supporting the school programs, instructors, and students in 2014. 

“The industry showed its true generosity again in 2014 as we are able to announce another record breaking year in support to the collision school programs,” said Clark Plucinski, Collision Repair Education Foundation Executive Director.  “To provide over $13 million in donations through a group of roughly 250 total donors this past year was truly awe-inspiring and the gratitude that these instructors and students displayed touches you deeply. We have heard from the industry that they are in desperate need of properly trained entry-level graduates and we will continue to work towards that goal on behalf of the industry.”

Terry Fortner, Collision Repair Education Foundation Board of Trustees Chairman and LKQ Corp Vice President of Industry Relations and Market Development noted, “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, staff and the collision school programs that we support nationwide, I would like to thank our 2014 donors in joining efforts to support the future professionals of the industry. Only through the industry coming together to help these collision school programs can we have a significant impact on ensuring that the students receive the best technical education possible with the end goal being their employment within the industry. I would also invite companies that aren’t currently supporting the Collision Repair Education Foundation through monetary and/or in-kind product donations to reach out to us and join our efforts in 2015.”    

For additional information about the Collision Repair Education Foundation, visit CollisionEducationFoundation.org. Inter-industry organizations and individuals who are interested in supporting the Collision Repair Education Foundation in 2015 and increase the amount of assistance provided to collision schools and students should contact Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed‑foundation.org / 847.463.5244.

The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to securing donations that support philanthropic and collision repair education activities that promote and enhance career opportunities in the industry. For information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation visit us online at: www.CollisionEducationFoundation.org.

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