HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL – June 10, 2011- Audatex, A Solera company, is looking to help enhance the future of the automotive collision repair industry by offering a $25,000 matching grant to provide one California school’s collision program with an Ultimate Collision Education Makeover through the Collision Repair Education Foundation this fall which will fulfill the program’s $50,000 wish-list. Audatex will match individual and business tax-deductible donations to the Education Foundation (up to $25,000) and a California secondary or post-secondary school’s collision program will be selected from the applicants of the Foundation’s 2011 Makeover school grant. Funding of Audatex’s California matching grant is part of the $100,000 donation to the Collision Repair Education Foundation in 2010 by Solera and their CEO Tony Aquila, the largest cash donation ever received by the not-for-profit organization.
Since 2009 the Collision Repair Education Foundation has offered their annual Ultimate Collision Education Makeover school grant where one secondary or post-secondary school’s collision program is selected nationwide. Over the past two years, over 80 schools have applied for this grant and through this support opportunity, collision students’ education has been enhanced in order to be productive, efficient, and capable future professionals of the inter-industry. Both the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s annual Makeover grant winner and Audatex’s California winning school will be announced during SEMA 2011 this fall in Las Vegas.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Audatex and the industry to make a real difference in the lives of thousands of students through a school Makeover”, said Rick Tuuri, VP of Industry Relations for Audatex. “Schools and students are the future of our industry, and Audatex is committed to the future. We look forward to working with our industry partners to make a difference for a worthy school and the students.”
Collision Repair Education Foundation Executive Director Scott Kruger said, “I commend Audatex for helping the Education Foundation expand the Makeover school grant program and help transform one California school’s collision program that will benefit current and future students for years to come. This grant will significantly assist one California school’s collision program with needed tools, equipment, and supplies. Audatex has put the challenge out to the industry to match their $25,000 and through others stepping up and participating with this program, the industry can come together to support its own future.”
Industry members are asked to respond to this matching grant opportunity by Friday, September 30th. Please send contributions with checks payable to:
Collision Repair Education Foundation
Attn: Audatex Matching Grant
5125 Trillium Blvd.
Hoffman Estates, IL 60192
About Audatex North America, Inc.
Audatex is the leading global claims solutions provider serving the automotive industry. Active today across six continents, Audatex provides world-class claims solutions that help customers automate their processes; managing millions of claims each year efficiently and effectively, and resolving billions in claims settlements. Beyond a leading presence in automotive claims, our growing footprint also extends into the automotive related financial services and medical claims solutions markets. As part of the Solera group of companies, Audatex, Sidexa, Informex, ABZ, Hollander and IMS draw on unique global experience to develop and deliver the latest technologies, market intelligence and best practices on a local level. For more information, please refer to the Company’s website at www.audatex.us.
For additional information about the Education Foundation’s Ultimate Collision Education Makeover $50,000 school grant, visit www.CollisionEducationFoundation.org or contact Collision Repair Education Foundation Associate Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org or 847.463.5244.