Nashville veteran celebrates NABC Recycled Rides gift at Collision Advice Business Council Symposium

The gifting was a much-needed lift for U.S. Army Veteran Ronald Dahl who received keys to a 2010 Nissan Altima donated by State Farm and restored by Randy’s Body Shop in Paducah, Kentucky, with parts and materials donated by a number of additional NABC members. “As a former shop owner, military veteran and now an industry consultant, it is such an honor and privilege to partner with the NABC, Axalta and one of our members, Randy’s Body Shop, to give back to someone who has served our country. We are thankful to NABC for the opportunity to be a part of such a heart-warming event,” said Mike Anderson, President of Collision Advice.

Recycled Rides recipients Marcia and Rondald Dahl (left), with Kyle Wiersma and Randy Wiersma of Randy's Body Shop in Paducah, KY.

“As a longtime member of the National Auto Body Council, Axalta is proud to support the Recycled Rides™ program and is especially honored to be part of the celebration at Axalta’s Business Council Symposium in Nashville, TN.  We are committed to helping all of our business partners in their efforts to provide vehicles for the program,” said Troy Weaver, Vice President, Axalta North America Refinish.

Dahl, who served in the Army from 1982-86, moved to Nashville after he lost his job as a commercial truck driver in Maine.  Unable to find immediate employment and housing, Dahl and his wife, Marcia, lived in their U-Haul truck until they received support from Operation Stand Down which helped provide transitional housing and temporary employment. The Recycled Rides™ gift will enable Dahl to now expedite getting his commercial driver’s license in Tennessee and find better employment opportunities.
 
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.

“It is an honor and humbling experience to be a part of each of our NABC Recycled Rides™ giftings.,” said Bill Garoutte, NABC President & CEO. “This one was very special as it was presented at one of the largest gatherings of independent body shop owners in the United States and the recipient was shown such a high level of respect and appreciation for his service to our country.”

Since the inception of the Recycled Rides™ program in 2007, members of the National Auto Body Council have donated over 1,700 vehicles valued at more than $22 million.