NABC announces new focus to help re-launch Operation Comfort's AutoMotivation program

In an effort to meet the immediate rehabilitative needs of wounded soldiers through Operation Comfort’s AutoMotivation program, the National Auto Body Council (NABC) announced it will focus efforts on coordinating collision industry resources to re-launch AutoMotivation as soon as possible. The AutoMotivation program has been dormant since March 2012 when its previous facility in San Antonio, Texas, was sold. This move prompted the NABC to rally industry support for a capital campaign to purchase a permanent training facility and provide an accredited job-training curriculum for the veterans. In recent meetings, the Boards of the NABC and Operation Comfort have jointly determined that collision industry resources would benefit disabled veterans more immediately with a priority focus to fund and support the AutoMotivation program, rather than funding the capital campaign to purchase a permanent facility. “Our primary concern is for our wounded troops who have been without the valuable occupational therapies and rehabilitative benefits of AutoMotivation this past year,” said Chuck Sulkala, NABC Executive Director. “Many disabled veterans will be better served today with industry resources re-focused on helping AutoMotivation become fully operational so they once again have the opportunity to receive the positive therapeutic benefits they deserve.” According to Sulkala, an NABC committee will be appointed to help its members and others in the collision repair industry who wish to support disabled veterans through the AutoMotivation program. Committee efforts will help promote awareness for AutoMotivation as well as help procure equipment, training or financial support to meet program needs. Funds raised to date from the industry-supported Operation Comfort Capital Campaign will be used to provide an immediate space to house the program or kept in reserve for future use towards a permanent facility. Efforts to identify leased or donated space are underway by Operation Comfort board members.

“Whether it is simply changing a tire or working on restoring a complete vehicle, these activities are important first steps in the recovery process for many participants in AutoMotivation,” said Janis Roznowski, Executive
Director of Operation Comfort. “We are extremely grateful to the many individuals and companies in the collision industry whose generous contributions enable us to continue supporting our wounded soldiers
through AutoMotivation.”

For more information on how to support Operation Comfort’s AutoMotivation program, contact Chuck Sulkala
at [email protected].

About Operation Comfort AutoMotivation program:
Operation Comfort is a nonprofit organization founded in 2004 to serve wounded Service Members coming in from Iraq and Afghanistan. The focus has been on teaching skills in automotive body and engine repair through their AutoMotivation program, rehabilitative adaptive sport programs, and family financial assistance. For more information please visit www.operationcomfort.org, Operation Comfort's Facebook page or call 210-826-0500.

About the National Auto Body Council
The National Auto Body Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the image of the collision industry. Our ongoing and continued success is a direct result of the efforts and support of our sponsoring companies and membership. Please contact the National Auto Body Council directly for membership information. Call 1-888-667-7433 or go to www.autobodycouncil.org. Visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NationalAutoBodyCouncil. The NABC’s Twitter feed is @AutoBodyCouncil.

The National Auto Body Council ~ helping the automotive collision repair industry promotes a positive image and be recognized as
a valued and respected industry.