126 body shop schools apply for $50,000 grant

A record 126 collision school programs from 36 states applied for the Collision Repair Education Foundation's 2013 Ultimate Collision Education Makeover grant in hopes that they will have their $50,000 wish list of needed collision program tools, equipment, and supplies fulfilled. 70 schools had applied for the Makeover grant the previous two years and this record amount displays collision schools' growing need of support in order to provide the best technical education possible and better prepare students for entry-level employment. The winning schools will be announced this fall. However industry members are asked to get involved with their local Makeover applicant schools by directing monetary contributions towards fulfilling portions of the local school's submitted wish list.

Collision Repair Education Foundation executive director Clark Plucinski noted, "I would like to thank and congratulate these Makeover applicant schools for taking the time to complete the application. Having each school's itemized $50,000 wish list, the Education Foundation will not only support the 2013 Makeover winners but will also be aggressively working towards assisting the other 2013 applicant schools by distributing their wish lists of needed tools, equipment, and supplies to industry companies and asking for those items to be donated. I invite and encourage industry members to contact the Education Foundation if they are interested in connecting with a local applicant school and start taking an active role in their collision program."