Hoffman Estates, Ill. (August 4, 2022)–
The Collision Repair Education Foundation’s (CREF) 20th Annual Golf Fundraiser, co-hosted by PPG Automotive Finishes, was a roaring success! Held on July 19 at the Edgewood Country Club in Pittsburgh, PA, the event sold out to capacity with 146 sponsors and industry supports enjoying a day on the green while raising over $100,000 to support collision repair programs, schools and students around the country.
“PPG is honored to continue partnering with the Foundation in this premier event,” said Tom Wolf, director of business development, automotive refinish for PPG. “It’s not often we get a chance to bring together industry professionals from all over the country in an effort to collectively address our largest resource challenge: a qualified, well-trained staff for our businesses. It’s wonderful to see the industry come together to support the great work CREF does.”
The winning team – with a score of just 56! – consisted of Rich Finoli (PPG), Steve Morelli (community supporter), Derek Severns (Bowser Automotive) and John Parran (PPG).
Participants also had the chance to win great prizes by competing in individual hole contests. The winners included:
- Longest Drive #2: Steve Gruber (Caliber Collision)
- Closest to the Pin #5: Rich Finoli (PPG)
- Straightest Drive #10: Kevin Baker (Caliber Collision)
- Closest to the Pin #14: Mark Miller (PPG)
- Longest Drive #17: Brian Maceil (community supporter)
Helicopter ball drop winners included Linda Mazur (community supporter), Charlie Jordan (Caliber Collision) and Mary Mahoney (Enterprise Holdings).
“Thank you to all of our sponsors, golfers, and volunteers who helped make our 20th annual golf fundraiser such an incredible success,” CREF Managing Director Brandon Eckenrode stated. “Funds raised from this event allow CREF to continue supporting high school and college collision programs, students, and instructors across the country. We look forward to gathering everyone again in 2023 when the summer industry meetings take us to Indianapolis!”
Wolf encourages “industry members to participate in our 2023 Golf fundraiser through a sponsorship, by attending or by donating items for the raffle table and silent auction. Because of your efforts, we are making an impact on the resources of the future.”
CREF is grateful to all its 2022 golf fundraiser sponsors and supporters, including PPG, AkzoNobel, Allstate, CAPA, Enterprise, Gerber, GEICO, Hertz, Insurance Auto Auctions, Kent Automotive, Mopar, National Coatings & Supplies/Single Source, PartsTrader, Refinish Distributors Alliance, Service King Collision, Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes, Subaru Certified Collision, asTech, BASF, BCI Equipment Specialists, Caliber Collision, CCC Intelligent Solutions, Chief Automotive, Classic Collision, Columbus Collision Education Group, DCR Systems, FindPigtails.com, LKQ, Painters Supply & Equipment, Polyvance, Refinish Solutions Group, SEM Products, SnapSheet, Tractable and United Recyclers Group.
Industry members interested in getting involved and supporting the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s efforts to assist secondary and post-secondary collision repair training programs should contact Brandon Eckenrode, Managing Director, at 312-231-0258 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org. Monetary donations can be made online.
The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting collision repair educational programs, schools, and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities. For information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation, visit us online at: www.CollisionEducationFoundation.org.
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