Hoffman Estates, IL – November 16, 2011 – Sherwin Williams Automotive Finishes has come to the aid of three school collision programs by donating $12,000 in product through the Collision Repair Education Foundation. Applied Technology Center (Rock Hill, SC), Freedom High School (Freedom, WI) and Sarasota County Technical Center (Sarasota, FL) all applied for the 2011 Ultimate Collision Education Makeover $50,000 school grant and within their wish lists, specifically requested Sherwin-Williams® products. The Collision Repair Education Foundation forwarded these requests to The Sherwin-Williams Company for consideration of donation and they have come through for the schools.
Freedom High School Technology Education Instructor Jay Abitz said, “Sherwin-Williams has fulfilled a large need for my school. Their generous donations have taken a huge burden off of my shoulders and my budget. In these difficult economic times, educational budgets have shrunk, but thanks to Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes and the Collision Repair Education Foundation we have been able to keep high quality, current products in the hands of my students. I cannot thank them enough!”
Applied Technology Center and 2011 Makeover school grant winning instructor Mark Dellinger said, “This donation is huge! With a shrinking budget that is tightening everyday, it is next to impossible to let my students just blow through waterborne basecoat. Along with quality comes money. This is a quality waterborne line that all students need to be exposed to on a regular basis. Ready or not, water is coming. This will definitely help us to be ready. All of my students are already excited about waterborne, whereas; some painters now fear it. Let’s change the mindset early.”
Sarasota County Technical Center Program Manager (Industrial Programs) Kristey Richardson said, “Sherwin Williams is an active and valued partner to our Sarasota (SCTI) Automotive Collision Repair and Refinishing Program. Without Sherwin Williams’ involvement on our program advisory committee and occasional donation of product we would not have the program success we enjoy at this time.”
Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Director of Training Operations Rod Habel said, “It is always a pleasure to work with the Collision Repair Education Foundation and its team of dedicated members to bring materials and knowledge to the schools interested in improving their programs. We at Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes are always willing to help toward the development of new and well educated people for our industry and working with the Education Foundation helps everyone in the industry benefit from this working relationship.”
Collision Repair Education Foundation Executive Director Scott Kruger said, “Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes not only assisted our 2011 Makeover winning school but they also helped the two other applicant schools that specifically requested product from Sherwin-Williams through their Makeover grant application. It is a true testament of The Sherwin-Williams Company’s commitment to the future of the industry when it can be stated that they fulfilled all of the schools requests from the 2011 Makeover grant. We thank Sherwin-Williams for their continued support.”
Additional information about Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes can be found at www.sherwin-automotive.com. Inter-industry organizations and individuals who are interested in supporting the Education Foundation and increasing the amount of assistance provided to collision schools and students should contact Education Foundation Associate Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed foundation.org.
