A total of six vehicles – two each day – will be presented to Detroit-area individuals and nonprofit organizations who are in desperate need of reliable transportation. The Recycled Rides program is a collaborative effort by National Auto Body Council members in the collision industry to repair and donate vehicles to those in need.
National Auto Body Council members also have donated vehicles for live demonstrations on the show floor by Detroit-area first responders as they practice extrication techniques on late model vehicles. The First Responder Emergency Extrication (FREE) program provides unique hands-on exposure to advanced vehicle technology, including high strength steels, sophisticated electronics and multiple airbag systems,
”These program presentations at NACE showcase the professionalism, integrity, and impact of the collision industry,” said Chuck Sulkala, NABC Executive Director. “We are proud of the impact National Auto Body Council members make in local communities nationally through our Recycled Rides and First Responder Emergency Extrication programs. We urge NACE attendees to carve time out in their busy show schedules to personally witness these inspiring programs first-hand, and talk to us about how to implement these same programs in your own community.”
Recipients of the Recycled Rides vehicles at NACE include:
- A Gold Star, single mother enduring the devastating losses of her 18-year-old son in the Iraq War, her husband, and then her mother, all within a few years.
- An Army Reserve veteran rebuilding his life with the help of the Michigan Veterans Foundation.
- A struggling young mother determined to begin a new chapter in her life with support from United Way for Southeastern Michigan.
- A family struggling with the needs of an autistic child, nominated by the Autism Society of Oakland County Michigan.
- Leader Dogs for the Blind which needs a reliable vehicle to transport visually impaired clients to orientation and mobility training programs.
- Alternative for Girls whose mission is help homeless and high-risk girls and young women avoid violence, teen pregnancy and exploitation.
