As an added donor benefit, collision industry businesses that join the Collision Repair Education Foundation's (CREF's) Industry Leadership Circle in 2013 will have their entry-level employment opportunities distributed to high school and college collision school programs this upcoming spring as students approach graduation. Through the industry’s tax-deductible, monetary contributions, the CREF is able to support high school and college collision instructors who are facing severely reduced program budgets and assist in their ability to provide the best technical education possible for their students. Industry members are asked to consider joining the organization’s Industry Leadership Circle by making their tax-deductible donation by Dec. 31, 2013, to participate in this program and have their entry-level employment opportunities showcased this upcoming spring.

"As the industry is seeking out properly trained entry-level workers, we will be assisting our donors in distributing their employment opportunities to high school and college collision school programs, not only locally but also across the country," said Collision Repair Education Foundation Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode. "Since beginning our philanthropic mission of providing support to schools, instructors, and students in 2008, the industry has shown its incredible generosity of making both monetary and in-kind product donations. We look forward to taking this level of support to the next level by offering this benefit to our supporters. Those businesses that are not currently supporting the Collision Repair Education Foundation are invited to join our list of donors by making a tax-deductible donation by the end of the year, and have their entry-level employment opportunities distributed to the future professionals of the collision industry."

For a single/independent repair facility to join the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s Industry Leadership Circle, an annual $1,000 tax-deductible donation is requested. For multiple store locations, an annual $1,000 donation for the first store and $500 each additional location is requested. An annual donation of $10,000 is requested by non-repair facility industry businesses and organizations.