Hertz donates $25,000 to CREF, Annual Golf Fundraiser Sold Out - Waiting List Started

Hertz Global Holdings has donated $25,000 to the Collision Repair Education Foundation to assist in their efforts to support high school and college collision school programs, instructors, and students across the country. Hertz’s donation to the organization’s Collision Repair Education Campaign fund is crucial for the Education Foundation to be able to provide school tool/equipment grants, student scholarships, Makeover grants, and conduct career fairs to help bridge the gap between graduating students and industry employers. Hertz is also a long-standing sponsor of the Education Foundation’s annual summer golf fundraiser event taking place on Wednesday, Aug., 10, at the Black Gold Golf Club in Yorba Linda, Calif., during Industry Week. 

Additionally, the golf outing has sold out and a waiting list has been created for those interested in playing if registration spots become available. Funds raised through this event assist the Education Foundation in providing support to collision repair students and their school’s collision programs.

Even if industry members aren’t attending Industry Week or playing in the event have the opportunity to win up to $12,000 through the LORD Corporation sponsored helicopter golf ball drop that will take place as part of the event. Individuals can purchase golf balls online ($20 per ball) that will be dropped from a helicopter over a hole on the Black Gold Golf Club course the day of the event. Whoever sponsors the numbered golf ball that goes in the hole (or the closest to the pin) will win 50% of the total funds raised from the golf ball drop. Participants do not need to be present to win, and if all 1200 golf balls are sold the winner will be awarded $12,000.  

As for the Hertz donation, Collision Repair Education Foundation Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode noted, “Hertz’s donation is important as through this type of support, it allows us to continue our work in supporting the future professionals of the collision industry. In addition to their annual monetary support, Hertz is represented within our volunteer Board of Trustees and we cannot thank them enough for supporting our efforts to address the industry’s need for productive, qualified entry-level staff to be graduating from collision school programs.” 

“We began our aggressive expansion in the off-airport market in 1998, and have since established ourselves as a national option for all segments of the market, particularly insurance replacement,” said Scott Bridges, vice president of replacement sales for Hertz and a member of the Collision Repair Education Foundation Board of Trustees. “We would not have been successful without the support of body shops and insurance companies, so the decision to give back was an easy one. For the last several years, we have donated to Collision Repair Education Foundation to show our support and, most importantly, help young students and veterans find a rewarding and challenging career.”

Eckenrode added this on the golf outing: “We cannot thank our sponsors and players enough for their continued support of this event. I would ask industry members to consider purchasing golf balls for our helicopter ball drop as it supports the Education Foundation’s efforts and you might win up to $12,000. We look forward to a great day on the course and raising additional funds for high school and college collision school programs.”