NABC Recycled Rides joins Farmers Insurance, GEICO, Westway Ford and Reliable Chevrolet to donate two vehicles to two Dallas women
On Thursday, September 24, two deserving Dallas women who are pursuing their careers and education amid overcoming challenging circumstances experienced a life-changing event – the presentation of vehicles to provide them independence and the ability to work and take care of their families – thanks to the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides® program along with car donors Farmers Insurance® and GEICO, and collision repair partners Westway Ford and Reliable Chevrolet, both Berkshire Hathaway Automotive companies.
The first presentation was held at Westway Ford in Dallas, and the second took place at Reliable Chevrolet in Richardson, following all state and local safe-distancing and health policies. The two deserving recipients were selected by Trinity River Mission/Boys and Girls Club of Dallas.
“These two young women are tremendous role models for overcoming challenges to pursue their dreams ofPresentation I: NABC™, Farmers Insurance® and Westway Ford presented a refurbished 2016 Ford Fusion to Tania Peredo, a first-in-her-family college student who is juggling her school courses, work and supporting her siblings and father, all with an unreliable car. Tania has been a program recipient of Trinity River Mission since 10th grade. She excelled in all aspects of the program including the required 20 hours of community service. At home, Tania has been a strong pillar for her family, caring for her father after a debilitating accident, along with her three siblings. She took two jobs the summer of her senior year to help support the family.
She earned her Associate’s degree in science from Lassiter Early College high school and is now at OklahomaUniversity, where she is pursuing a Biology degree with a Pre-Dental track. With no financial help from home, she currently pays for all of her expenses through her on campus work-study job and attempts to send money home. Tania’s unreliable vehicle has caused a major strain on her already diminished finances. For her, this car is more than just a reliable vehicle, this car will literally assist her in achieving her lifelong dreams.
Additional partners in the project include 1.800.Charity.Cars, English Color, Original One Parts, All Star Auto Lights, Intertek, 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division, Professional Parts Group and PPG.
Presentation II: NABC™, GEICO and Reliable Chevrolet presented the second vehicle – a 2014 Chevrolet Impala -- to Leticia Isabel Duran. Duran was nominated through Trinity River Mission as an outstanding AmeriCorps alum, volunteer and employee in need. She first came to TRM as an intern from the University of North Texas at Dallas pursuing her BA in Psychology. She assisted youth with psycho-educational groups, peer groups, field trips and homework help. Once she joined the team as an Executive Administrative Assistant, they learned of her daily struggles. She is the first in her immediate family to graduate from middle school, high school, and college. Her parents only made it half way through elementary school and worked hard so that she could achieve what they did not.
Currently, her younger sister lives with Leticia and her husband, Ricardo, while she is attending college. Leticia does not currently have a vehicle, which makes it difficult for her to get to work in Dallas and care for her family and her parents, as well as puts a strain on her finances in paying for gas and rides from others. Obtaining a vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides program is life changing for Leticia and her family. Reliable transportation will allow her to get to work and daily activities and fund her and her family’s dreams of further education and business opportunities.
Supporting partners in the project are 1.800.Charity.Cars, English Color, LKQ, NTB, Elite Electronics, Hi-tech Paintless Dent Removal, 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division and PPG.
NABC Recycled Rides® is a unique program in which businesses representing all facets of the collision repair industry team up to present vehicles to individuals and families in need of reliable transportation. Since the inception of the NABC Recycled Rides® program in 2007, members of the National Auto Body Council® have donated more than 2,500 vehicles valued at more than $36 million.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL AUTO BODY COUNCIL®
The National Auto Body Council®, celebrating its’ 25th anniversary in 2020, is the premier organization of collision industry partners dedicated to strategic networking opportunities that positively change lives in the communities we serve. The collaborative membership of the National Auto Body Council® has gifted more than 2,500 vehicles, provided extrication opportunities for more than 3,800 First Responders and contributed to thousands of distracted driving pledges in communities through NABC Recycled Rides®, NABC First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.™) and the NABC Distracted Driving Initiative™. That effort equates to a 4:1 ROI in dollar value delivered from NABC™ membership dollars. The National Auto Body Council® is changing the paradigm of how the collision industry works and is viewed. For more information, visit www.NationalautoBodyCouncil.org.
