March 24, 2011 — The National Auto Body Council (NABC), repairers and insurers donated 119 recycled vehicles to families and service organizations in need through the NABC’s 2010 Recycled Rides program.
That’s short of the organization’s 150-car goal, the NABC said in a press release_notes recapping the program, but organizers said given the economic climate, they considered the year a winner.
“We knew the unstable economy might provide some challenges in meeting that goal,” said Nick Notte, president of Sterling Autobody Centers and chairman of the 2010 Recycled Rides effort. “I am proud of the efforts of my committee members and those of the generous repairers, insurers, parts suppliers and material vendors who pushed us over triple digits.”
This year, the NABC’s donation goal is an aggressive 500 cars.
“Requests for vehicles have already started coming in for 2011, and facilities that were unable to obtain a vehicle to help donate will be given high priority in 2011,” Notte said.
Vehicles are traditionally presented each year on Recycled Rides Ride-Away Day, which is usually the day before Thanksgiving, but last year the NABC also presented five vehicles at SEMA in Las Vegas. The local Family Promise chapter located the recipients.
“This program is of incredible benefit to our families,” said Family Promise of Las Vegas Executive Director Terry Lindemann. “Moving families from homelessness to success is difficult without reliable transportation. Family Promise and our families are grateful to be the benefactors of this wonderful project for the last few years. The folks involved in Recycled Rides are changing people’s lives in a positive way.”
The Recycled Rides program was also recently expanded to involve schools with automotive collision repair programs.
For more information on Recycled Rides, go to autobodycouncil.org.
