Patriotic speed shapes auctioned at SEMA raised nearly $4,000 for CREF, 3M Hire Our Heroes program

At the 2016 SEMA Show, 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division featured a special 3M “Salute to Freedom” Showcase sponsored by 3M™ Accuspray™ Spray Gun with PPS™ Paint Preparation System. The speed shapes, all painted using the Accuspray™ System, featured custom-designed paint schemes honoring the nation’s military members. Thanks to some of the  automotive industry’s top car designers and painters, including Chip Foose, Charley Hutton, Mark Oja, Rich Evans, KandyNChrome, Lugo Customs, Martin Brothers Customs, Coast Airbrush, Xecution Style, House of Kolor and West Coast Customs, the auction raised $3,805 for the Collision Repair Education Foundation, which administers the 3M Hire Our Heroes program. “3M Automotive Aftermarket Division has been an incredible supporter of high school and college collision school programs through the Collision Repair Education Foundation,” noted Collision Repair Education Foundation Executive Director Clark Plucinski. “The 3M Hire Our Heroes program has been a great success in assisting military veterans and their family members studying collision repair and the ‘Salute to Freedom’ Showcase is a new creative way to highlight the program. We would like to thank those who participated in the auction and for 3M’s continued support.” In 2017, 3M AAD will mark the fifth year of the 3M Hire Our Heroes program, and is continuing an innovative way for shops to get involved -- the 2017 3M Hire Our Heroes Calendar.  With a $200 donation to the CREF, shops will not only be giving to a worthy cause, they will also receive the commemorative calendar which contains a total of approximately $1,700 worth of monthly deals on 3M products.  In 2016, the initiative raised $210,000 for scholarships and tool grants. To make a donation and get a 2017 3M Hire Our Heroes calendar, shops can visit http://collisioneducationfoundation.org/hire-our-heroes/About Hire Our Heroes The 3M Hire Our Heroes grants are available for qualifying returning veterans and family members.  Grants may be used for tuition, school fees, tools, textbooks and equipment at qualifying technical schools. For additional information and to apply, visit www.CollisionEducationFoundation.org. The ultimate goal of the 3M Hire Our Heroes campaign is to support the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in raising awareness for hiring America’s heroes and help drive employment in the collision repair industry for these deserving veterans and their families. In addition, 3M is a national board member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Hiring Our Heroes program. For more information on the 3M Hire Our Heroes campaign, contact Dale Ross, 3M Automotive Aftermarket, at [email protected] or visit www.3mcollision.com/hire.About 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division 3M automotive products keep the world on the move, with innovative solutions for building, repairing and maintaining vehicles.  From the collision repair professional to the individual vehicle enthusiast, people around the world trust 3M products to protect, repair and keep their vehicles looking showroom new.  And our commitment to this industry extends beyond product performance to a careful stewardship of the world’s resources and environment. Serving the needs of our customers has made 3M a trusted leader in vehicle care and repair, and we are dedicated to earning that trust each and every day. For more information, contact 1-877-MMM-CARS, contact your local 3M Distributor or 3M Sales Representative or visit the website at www.3Mcollision.com.  Follow 3M AAD on Facebook at www.facebook.com/3MCollision and on twitter @3M_Collision and Instagram @3MCollision.About 3M At 3M, we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily. With $30 billion in sales, our 90,000 employees connect with customers all around the world. Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Twitter @3M or @3MNewsroom. 3M, PPS and Accuspray are trademarks of 3M Company.