Collision Repair Education Foundation

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12 Days of CREF-mas Winter Giving Campaign

2020 has not been without its challenges, which is why we would like to take this opportunity to celebrate the gifts given to us as well as what and how we have been able to give this past year.

12 Days of CREF-mas

To kick-off, the festivities we announce our 12 Days of CREF-mas Winter Giving Campaign! During this campaign, we will be highlighting 12 of the most impactful ways we are making a difference with high school and college collision programs as well as some of the creative fundraising activities of 2020 (including potential gift ideas).

During these 12 days, we will also be sharing some of the most impactful stories of 2020. The campaign will run from December 12th to December 23rd, with 12 days of giving but also 12 days to hear and share the work we have been doing. 



 

Like many non-profits, we rely heavily on tax-deductible donations, so as you make your Holiday lists consider putting CREF on it, and donate using the form above.

Due to changes implemented as part of the CARES Act, even taxpayers who don’t itemize deductions may take a charitable deduction of up to $300 for cash contributions made in 2020 to qualifying organizations.

On behalf of the high school and college collision programs, students, and instructors we assist nationwide, thank you for your support consideration!

Happy Holidays! 

Sincerely, 

Your CREF Family

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Collision Repair Education Foundation Executive Director Clark Plucinski to Retire

Board launches search campaign for new executive director.

The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) announced that Clark Plucinski, executive director of the organization, intends to retire. The Foundation announced it is launching a search campaign for a new Executive Director.

Since its inception in 1991, the Collision Repair Education Foundation has steadfastly advanced its work in support of its vision of a collision industry with a sufficient number of qualified, properly trained, and immediately productive entry-level employees to meet current and future Industry needs.

 “Clark’s has been a leading voice in support of the collision industry’s pre-employment education system his entire career. His decades of experience starting as a technician, multiple shop operator, volunteer board member and past chair of the Foundation, as well as our chief staff executive since 2012, has enabled the Foundation to be more effective to develop the industry’s future workforce,” said Tom Wolf, CREF Board of Trustees Chair and PPG Automotive Refinish Director of Business Development. “The Board of Directors wishes to thank him for his service to the industry, schools, students and our organization.”

Plucinski has 50 years of industry experience, starting as a collision repair technician at a major GM dealership in 1980. He was the co-owner of BCP Auto Body, Inc. from 1973-1996, a four-location collision repair business in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Plucinski joined with True2Form’ as Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing of the chain of 43 collision repair businesses located in four states.

Plucinski was named executive director of CREF in July 2012 after many years of service on its board, including as chair.

The Executive Director Position Description is available for download.

The executive director position reports to the CREF Board of Directors and works collaboratively with the Board to implement CREF’s strategic annual goals. Responsibilities include oversight over CREF’s daily operations, fundraising, marketing, finance and revenue growth.

Interested candidates should email resumes to Karen Gates, Director of Human Resources, I-CAR (karen.gates@i-car.com)

Deadline for submissions is December 11, 2020.

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Upcoming Winter Virtual Golf Fundraiser To Support Local Collision Programs

The Collision Repair Education Foundation’s (CREF) winter virtual golf fundraiser, exclusively sponsored by PPG Automotive, will support local high school and college automotive collision repair school programs. CREF is collaborating with 90 I-CAR volunteer committee groups nationwide and individuals can ensure that 80% of their registration fee will be re-invested back into local collision schools. Funds raised will help ensure these technical programs have the needed tools, equipment, and supplies so that the students receive the best technical education possible and better prepare them for employment in the automotive collision industry.

This event will be a private in-game tournament within TopGolf’s online golfing game, which will be held from Friday, November 20th through Sunday, December 20th. Golfers will be able to play an unlimited number of rounds of virtual golf during those 30 days, while viewing an in-game leaderboard to see how they are doing compared to others golfing from around the country. With the event being virtual, zero actual golfing skill is required and golfers can play from the comfort of their home.

Ready to play?

  • Officially register for the virtual golf fundraiser below. If you are supporting a local I-CAR Volunteer Committee, make sure to select them and $20 of your $25 registration fee will be re-invested back into your local high school/college collision school programs. Not supporting a specific I-CAR Committee? Select “CREF General Fund” and your registration fee will help those collision programs in the most need nationwide. 
  • Download the free “WGT Golf” app to your phone/tablet or visit www.WGT.com to create your player profile. Start practicing your virtual golf swing between now and November 20th.
  • On November 20th, registered players will be emailed information on how to access the private in-game tournament and will have until December 20th to play as many rounds as they would like. There will be an in-game leaderboard for you to see how you are doing compared to others around the country and the golfer with the lowest score will receive (2) donated passes to attend the Ford Performance Racing School ($4,000 value).



 

Questions regarding the fundraiser can be directed to CREF Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

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3M Donates Signature Event with Chip Foose to Support Military Veterans and Collision School Programs

3M has donated Chip Foose memorabilia, to the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) to raise funds for the Hire Our Heroes program, which supports military veterans and family members of veterans who are studying collision repair in a local high school or technical college

 

Autographed Hoods

Chip Foose has recently autographed Hire Our Heroes graphically themed mini-hoods, which are available for purchase for $250 each. Funds raised from this fundraiser will help CREF provide tool grants to Hire Our Heroes recipients and allow veterans and/or their family members studying collision repair start off their careers with needed tools. The hoods are available on a first-come-first serve basis.

Donate below to receive a hood:



“Inspiring new talent to join and become part of the Collision Industry is imperative and 3M wants to do their part to ensure technicians have the right tools for the job and continue to build a passion for the industry,” Lori Tempelis, 3M Automotive Aftermarket Sales and Marketing Director.

Questions regarding either fundraiser opportunity can be directed to CREF Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

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CREF TopGolf Chicago Fundraiser Thursday, September 9th

Join the Collision Repair Education Foundation “fore” a fun night that will benefit Chicago’s Kennedy King College collision program as well as other national high school and college collision programs. This event will be attended by collision industry members to network, casually golf, and raise additional funds for the future professionals of the collision industry.

TopGolf Schaumburg, IL Fundraiser

12050 Progress Pkwy, Schaumburg, IL

Thursday, September 9th – 6-9pm

Registration:

 

 

If your company would like to participate as a sponsor, contact Brandon Eckenrode.

Download the Flyer

 

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Collision Repair Education Foundation Organizing Online Auctions to Support Collision Programs

Auction for Private Tour of Jay Leno’s Garage Now Open

To innovate in how to raise additional funds for high school and college collision programs nationwide, the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is collaborating with industry partners to create unique, one-of-a-kind experiences and items that will be available for auction not only to the industry but also auto enthusiasts around the country and globe. The initial auction, facilitated by heavy duty vehicle lift leader, Stertil-Koni, is a private tour of Jay Leno’s Garage that is open for bidding now on BiddingForGood’s charity auction site, with the auction ending on Friday, July 10th at 10pm CDT.

View Jay Leno Garage Tour auction HERE

The winning bidder, along with three of their friends, will have a private tour of Leno’s extraordinary collection of approximately 200 vehicles at his Big Dog Garage in Burbank, CA. The tour will include stories behind many of the autos on display and see where Jay Leno’s Garage is filmed.  Funds raised through this once-in-a-lifetime experience for any automotive enthusiast will allow CREF to support high school and college collision programs this upcoming school year who have expressed concern about their already limited program budgets being reduced.

Carl Boyer, Stertil-Koni’s Shop Equipment Specialist noted, “We are thrilled to be working together with CREF to arrange the Jay Leno’s garage tour auction. Stertil-Koni strongly believes in CREF’s work to support high school and college collision programs around the country as the industry needs to come together in supporting its future workforce. We are excited to see the success of this auction and would encourage other industry members to get creative with their business partners to come up with their own auctions in support of CREF.” 

CREF Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode noted, “I cannot thank Carl and Stertil-Koni enough for helping to make our initial auction item one to remember and connecting us with Jay Leno’s Garage. This and future auction opportunities allow CREF to expand its supporters beyond just industry partners and get the general public involved. We look forward to seeing the results of this auction and are excited about the other auctions that we will be announcing over the coming months.”

For additional information about Stertil-Koni visit www.Stertil-Koni.com. Industry members interested in working with CREF on creating future auction items and experiences should contact Brandon Eckenrode, CREF Director of Development.

About Stertil-Koni

Stertil-Koni is the market leader in heavy duty vehicle lifts, notably bus lifts and truck lifts, and proudly serves municipalities, state agencies, school bus fleets, major corporations, the U.S. Military and more. Stertil-Koni’s breadth of products meets all ranges of lifting needs and includes portable lifts such as Mobile Column Lifts, 2-post, 4-post, inground piston lifts, platform lifts, and its axle-engaging, inground, scissor lift configuration, ECOLIFT. The company’s innovative, inground telescopic piston DIAMONDLIFT is now available with an optional Continuous Recess system, ideal for low clearance vehicles. Stertil-Koni USA is headquartered in Stevensville, Maryland with production facilities in Europe, The Netherlands, and Streator, IL.