May 30, 2013—3M and the Collision Repair Education Foundation on Wednesday announced the first round of grant winners through the 3M Hire Our Heroes Campaign.
3M created the Hire Our Heroes Campaign to increase the number of qualified technicians in the collision repair industry. The program is designed to help returning military veterans and their families pursue careers in the industry by raising funds to help offset the costs of tuition, books, tools and equipment.
Fifty-nine grant winners throughout the United States were selected overall, including 54 military members and five family members of veterans. Each recipient will receive a $2,500 grant to purchase tools and equipment needed to start their collision repair career.
“The Collision Repair Education Foundation does an excellent job of identifying great candidates for grants and promoting high-quality education for collision repair professionals at schools throughout the country,” said Dale Ross, U.S. marketing operations manager for 3M’s Automotive Aftermarket Division. “We’re proud to work with them to support training for these deserving veterans and their family members.”
The 3M Hire Our Heroes Campaign has a goal to donate up to $250,000 to assist military veterans and their families. The second round of grant winners through the program will be announced in July.
