Nov. 21, 2012—The Collision Industry Foundation (CIF) is spearheading a disaster relief effort to provide assistance to victims of Hurricane Sandy.
The CIF launched a Disaster Relief Fund in 2005 to provide assistance to industry members impacted by Hurricane Katrina. The fund has since been used to support industry professionals affected by other natural disasters, including Hurricane Sandy. The CIF uses the fund to purchase immediate necessities and replacement tools for shops and technicians.
“Many technicians' tools aren't covered by the shop insurance. Often, they cannot go back to work to earn a wage without our help,” said Jordan Hendler, administrator of the CIF.
The CIF is seeking assistance from members of the collision repair industry to help carry out the disaster relief effort—coined as “Collision Industry Relief.” The CIF said there are three main ways in which people can help: victim location and assistance, participation on a volunteer committee, and donations.
"Sometimes finding the victims of disaster is the hardest part of the job," Hendler said. "We have to find those in need and those in the area are the best ones for the job.”
The CIF’s volunteer committee is responsible for locating, assessing and assisting the hurricane victims. The committee also organizes corporate donations and participation, and reviews purchases.
Bill Shaw, president of the CIF, said any type of participation by collision industry professionals is valuable, but donations will be the main factor that dictates the number of people the fund is able to help.
"The donors are crucial as to how far our reach is. Donations of items that will help the victims, such as gift cards for groceries or tools for replacement are always needed,” Shaw said. “Money is the easiest way for us to purchase specific items for the victims, but any and all help is appreciated."
For more information about the disaster relief effort, or to make a donation, visit collisionindustryfoundation.org.
