Cuesta is one of hundreds of military veterans and service members who have received life-changing gifts of transportation from members of the National Auto Body Council (NABC) which represents all facets of the collision repair industry.
Recycled Rides donations this month for Military Appreciation Month include:
- Malden, MA – A National Guardsman received much-needed transportation from Today’s Collision and MetLife.
- Minneapolis, MN – a car donation from LaMettry’s Collision and American Family Insurance to a Marine who is single-handedly raising three young daughters after the unexpected death of his wife at age 31.
- Jacksonville, NC – Caliber Collision and Allstate are teaming up to donate a car to a disabled Vietnam-era veteran working at Camp Lejeune.
- Portland, OR – A vehicle from GEICO and ABRA Collision and Glass will help a formerly homeless veteran transition into stable housing and back on the road to success.
Industry-Wide Collaboration to Give Back
There are numerous valuable organizations that have vehicle donation programs where run-down cars are sold for parts, with proceeds used to fund services to benefit veterans. Recycled Rides is the only program that places veterans behind the wheel of the vehicle, so they can commute to work, get better-paying jobs, and improve the quality of life for their families.
Recycled Rides is a unique, all volunteer, collision industry-wide collaboration. It starts with insurance, rental car, salvage and auction companies who donate a car. Technicians at collision repair companies then volunteer their personal time and skills, and with donations of parts, materials from suppliers and manufacturers, refurbish and donate the vehicle to individuals and families in need.
“It’s Not Just a Car”
Three weeks after Cuesta received her car, she landed a new job at a corporate catering company. She was finally able to answer “yes” on a job application that asked if she had a car and reliable transportation. Today she lives in a neighborhood where her boys can safely play outside.
“If you can’t commute, you’re stuck. You can’t get a better job. It’s not just a car, it opened doors to new opportunities,” said Cuesta.
Since the inception of the Recycled Rides program in 2007, members of the National Auto Body Council have donated over 1700 cars with an estimated value of $20 million. More than half of the nearly 300 Recycled Rides vehicles donated in 2017 were to military veterans and service members.
To get involved with the Recycled Rides program, contact www.NationalAutoBodyCouncil.org.
