News & Events

Collision Repair Education Foundation Invites Collision Industry Businesses to Sponsor Student Safety Kits for Local High School and College Collision Programs

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL (December 18, 2018) – The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is facilitating a student safety kit donation program between collision repair businesses and high school and college collision repair programs.

The safety kit includes:

• New Cintas work shirt/pants
• Pair of safety glasses
• Ear plugs
• Disposable dusk mask

Each local student can be sponsored for $50. Businesses that sponsor 20 or more safety kits can have their corporate logo featured on a patch on the front of the uniform shirts.

“The Collision Repair Education Foundation wants to make the return to school this spring safer and more professional for collision school students,” said Brandon Eckenrode, Director of Development for the Foundation. “Through the generous support of our industry partners, we can provide the next generation workforce with the support they need to succeed.”

Participating businesses can sponsor schools of their choice, or they can choose to be paired with a school in need by the Education Foundation. The donation program can lead to long term relationships between professionals and school programs that are preparing the next generation of collision industry employees.

Sponsorship and donations are facilitated through the Collision Repair Education Foundation, but sponsoring businesses are invited to visit the school to meet the students and distribute the new uniforms.

Companies interested in sponsoring the uniform donation program through the Collision Repair Education Foundation for the 2018-2019 school year should contact Collision Repair Education Foundation Director of Development, Brandon Eckenrode, at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org or (312) 231-0258.

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Suggested caption:

The Collision Repair Education Foundation is seeking industry support for student safety kits to make the spring back-to-school season safer and more professional at the over 1000 schools that teach collision repair across the U.S.

About the Collision Repair Education Foundation:

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.

 

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (December 13, 2018) – The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) 2019 grant and scholarship application period is now open to high school and post-secondary collision students who will be attending career and technical schools and colleges in the fall. The Foundation and its industry supporters offer over $200,000 in grants and scholarships annually, as part of their mission to promote collision repair education and create quality candidates for entry level job opportunities.

Application information for CREF grants and scholarships is posted on their website, at https://www.collisioneducationfoundation.org/student-scholarship-and-grant-application-2/. This year’s deadline to apply is February 14, 2019 and winners are chosen and notified by phone or mail in April and May.

Melissa Marscin, Collision Repair Education Foundation Director of Grant Programs, said, “We want to thank the collision industry for the support we receive that enables us to continue our scholarship and grant program for 2019. We could not offer over $200,000 in awards this year without their generous support. I encourage all students to consider applying as the awards can be life-changing helping students to graduating without debt or with a tool box ready for employment.”

The Collision Repair Education Foundation aims to support collision repair educational programs, schools, and students to create qualified entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities.

For more information, contact Melissa Marscin at scholarships@ed-foundation.org or 888.722.3787, Ext. 282.

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About the Collision Repair Education Foundation:

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.

 

Hoffman Estates, IL – November 16, 2018 – – LKQ Corporation has renewed its $25,000 contribution to the Collision Repair Education Foundation, as part of its continuing commitment to the future of the collision industry. The financial contribution is in addition to the in-kind donation of parts that LKQ donates to collision school programs each year. The monetary contribution assists Education Foundation’s ability to offer collision school tool and equipment grants and student scholarships across the U.S.

“The shortage of collision repair and refinish technicians, combined with declining budgets at technical schools, continues to be a serious challenge for our industry. LKQ is proud to support CREF in its work to support students and schools and connect people with industry employers,” said Terry Fortner, Vice President – Insurance, Sales and Marketing for LKQ.

Collision Repair Education Foundation Executive Director Clark Plucinski noted, “LKQ’s continuing support allows the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) to work with collision schools to ensure they can deliver the entry-level employees critical to the industry’s continued success. Collision school programs need the industry’s support in order to graduate qualified and properly trained students. On behalf of the schools, students, and instructors that will benefit from this support, we thank LKQ for their continued support.”

LKQ local and regional staff is also helping promote the Foundation’s 2019 career fair schedule in local markets across the country.

Collision repair facilities, insurance companies and suppliers interested in supporting school grants should contact Education Foundation Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at (312) 231-0258 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

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Suggested Caption: LKQ Corporation has continued its support of the collision industry education system with a $25,000 donation to the Collision Repair Education Foundation. Nick Zarcone, chief executive officer of LKQ (2^nd from left) along with Justin Jude (left) and Terry Fortner (right) from LKQ, presented Clark Plucinski, executive director of the Foundation, with the donation in Las Vegas during the recent SEMA show.

 

About LKQ Corporation:

LKQ Corporation (www.lkqcorp.com) is a leading provider of alternative and specialty parts to repair and accessorize automobiles and other vehicles. LKQ has operations in North America, Europe and Taiwan. LKQ offers its customers a broad range of replacement systems, components, equipment and parts to repair and accessorize automobiles, trucks, and recreational and performance vehicles.

About the Collision Repair Education Foundation:

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.

Hoffman Estates, IL – November 9, 2018 – The Collision Repair Education Foundation announced more than $500,000 Ultimate Collision Education Makeover school grants supported by donations from industry companies and local I-CAR committee fundraising activities. The announcement came during the Foundation’s annual reception held October 30 at the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel during the 2018 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nev. 

The Ultimate Collision Education Makeover school grants announced will go to help improve 173 schools in 37 states with over 6,700 students enrolled in collision repair training programs.

The Makeover grant program incorporates the Foundation’s Collision School Career Readiness Benchmark that the Foundation launched in 2016. Under the new program developed by the Foundation, schools are classified into three tiers based upon criteria including the number of hours of instruction, curriculum in place, along with what tools, equipment, and supplies a school uses to prepare their students for employment in the collision industry.

The grants awarded will assist schools to advance to the next tier, or to allow top tier schools to further expand their program’s capabilities.

“Collision repair training programs are facing tremendous budgetary pressure. It is difficult for many to maintain their program at current capabilities, no less invest in increasing their abilities to satisfy the industry’s current and future workforce needs,” said Melissa Marscin, Director of Operations/Administration for the Foundation. “The Makeover grant program is designed to help collision schools get the much needed tools, equipment and supplies they couldn’t get otherwise and increase their capabilities. For the third year in a row, every school that applied received some level of support through both grants and in-kind donations.”

Collision repair facilities, insurance companies and suppliers interested in supporting school grants should contact Education Foundation Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at (312) 231-0258 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

The grants awarded include:

I-CAR Committee Awards

Atlanta I-CAR Committee

Athens Tech College: $5,000 (Athens, GA)

Chattahoochee Technical College: $15,000 (Jasper, GA)

Maxwell High School of Technology: $10,000 (Lawrenceville, GA)

North Georgia Technical College: $7,500 (Clarkesville, GA)

 Broward I-CAR Committee

Sheridan Technical College: $5,000 (Hollywood, FL)

 

Charlotte I-CAR Committee

Central Piedmont Community College: $12,000 (Charlotte, NC)

 

Greater Philadelphia I-CAR Committee

Eastern Center for Arts and Technology: $2,500 (Willow Grove, PA)

 

Northern Virginia I-CAR Committee

Chantilly HS STEM Academy: $5,000 (Chantilly, VA)

C.S. Monroe Technology Center: $5,000 (Leesburg, VA)

Dowell J Howard Center: $5,000 (Winchester, VA)

Fauquier High School: $5,000 (Warrenton, VA)

 

Phoenix I-CAR Committee

East Valley Institute of Technology: $5,000 (Mesa, AZ)

Gateway Community College: $5,000 (Phoenix, AZ)

West-MEC: $5,000 (Phoenix, AZ)

 

Raleigh I-CAR Committee

Westover High School: $12,000 (Fayetteville, NC)

 

St. Louis I-CAR Committee

Lake Career & Technical Center: $4,500 (Camdenton, MO)

Lewis and Clark Career Center: $4,500 (Saint Charles, MO)

Nichols Career Center: $4,500 (Jefferson City, MO)

North Technical High School: $4,500 (Florissant, MO)

Ranken Technical College: $4,500 (St. Louis, MO)

Rolla Technical Institute: $4,500 (Rolla, MO)

South Technical High School: $4,500 (Sunset Hills, MO)

 

Tennessee I-CAR Committees

Knoxville

Greene Technology Center: $5,000 (Greenville, TN)

Tennessee College of Applied Technology: $5,000 (Morristown, TN)

Nashville

Northwest High School: $7,500 (Clarksville, TN)

Franklin County High School: $2,000 (Winchester, TN)

Tennessee College of Applied Technology: $2,000 (Livingston, TN)

 

Company Awards

AkzoNobel Matching Grant

Ivy Tech Community College: $5,200 (Fort Wayne, IN)

 

Caliber Collision School Grants

Hudson Valley Community College: $3,000 (Troy, NY)

Laramie County Community College: $3,000 (Cheyenne, WY)

Lorenzo Walker Technical College: $3,000 (Naples, FL)

Morgan Community College: $3,000 (Ft. Morgan, CO)

Tidewater Community College: $3,000 (Chesapeake, VA)

 

CCC Classroom Enhancement Grant

Judson High School: $11,000 (Converse, TX)

 

Chrysler School Grant

Regional Career Technical Center: $5,000 (Saline, MI)

 

Hertz Grants

Eastside Technical Center: $3,000  (Lexington, KY)

GST BOCES Coopers Education Center: $3,000  (Painted Post, NY)

Mid-Coast School of Technology: $3,000  (Rockland, ME)

Randolph Technical Center: $3,000  (Elkins, WV)

Tazewell County Career and Technical Center: $3,000  (Tazewell, VA)

 

GEICO Grants

Cuesta College: $5,000 (San Luis Obispo, CA)

Gaithersburg High School: $5,000 (Gaithersburg, MD)

Miami Northwestern Sr High: $5,000 (Miami, FL)

Miami Lakes Educational Center and Technical College: $5,000 (Miami Lakes, FL)

Morrisville State College: $5,000 (Morrisville, NY)

St. Philip’s College: $5,000 (San Antonio, TX)

 

Honda Grants

Fayetteville Technical Community College: $4,000 (Fayetteville, NC)

Greenville Technical College: $4,000 (Greenville, SC)

Ranken Technical College: $4,000 (St. Louis, MO)

 

Liberty Mutual Insurance Grants

Assabet Valley Regional Technical H.S.: $5,000 (Marlboro, MA)

Bay Path: $5,000 (Charlton, MA)

Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical High School: $5,000 (Littleton, MA)

Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School: $5,000  (South Easton, MA)

 

Service King Grants

Eden Area ROP: $3,000 (Hayward, CA)

Prosser Career Education Center: $3,000 (New Albany, IN)

Rosedale Technical College: $3,000 (Pittsburgh, PA)

Stanly Community College: $3,000 (Albemarle, NC)

Trumbull Career and Technical Center: $3,000 (Warren, OH)

 

1stCertified Collision Centers Thomas Coleman Memorial Grant

El Camino College; $10,000 (Torrance, CA)

 

Progressive Laptop Grants

Ivy Tech Community College (Fort Wayne, IN) 15 laptops

Texas State Technical College (Harlingen, TX) 10 laptops

 

 

Nationwide Insurance Grants

Ft. Hayes Career Center: $5,000 (Columbus, OH)

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology: $5,000 (Lancaster, PA)

 

Western Michigan Bodyshop Association Grant

Kent Career Technical Center: $2,000 (Grant Rapids, MI)

 

$25,000 Collision Repair Education Foundation Awards

Center for Academics & Technology (Calumet City, IL)

Texas Southmost College (Brownsville, TX)

 

$25,000 Insurance Auto Auction Award

Kennedy King College (Chicago, IL )

 

$10,000 Collision Repair Education Foundation Award

Warren Tech (Lakewood, CO)

 

$1,000 Ultimate Collision Education Makeover Grants

Alabama

Earnest Pruett Center of Technology (Hollywood, AL)

Etowah County Career Technical Center (Atalla, AL)

Arkansas

University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College (North Little Rock, AR)

California

Collision Career Institute (Yorba Linda, CA)

Dos Palos High School (Dos Palo, CA)

Colorado

Aims Community College (Windsor, CO)

Delaware

Hodgson Vo-Tech (Newark, DE)

Florida

Hillsborough Community College (Tampa, FL)

Lake Technical College (Eustis, FL)

Manatee Technical College (Bradenton, FL)

Seminole High School (Sanford, FL)

SouthTech Academy (Boynton Beach, FL

Idaho

College of Southern Idaho (Twin Falls, ID)

Dennis Technical Education Center (Boise, ID)

Kootenai Technical Education Campus (Rathdrum, ID)

Lewis-Clark State College (Lewiston, ID)

North Idaho College (Coeur d’Alene, ID)         

Illinois

Highland Community College (Freeport, IL

Marengo Comm HS Dist 1554 (Marengo, IL)

Indiana

Area30 Career Center (Greencastle, IN)

Hinds Career Center (Elwood, IN)

Iowa

Des Community College (Ankeny, IA) Moines Area

Hawkeye Community College (Waterloo, IA)

Kansas

Butler Community College (El Dorado, KS)

Kansas City Kansas Community College (Kansas City, KS)

Washburn University Institute of Technology (Topeka, KS)

Kentucky

Big Sandy Community and Technical College (Prestonsburg, KY)

Maine

Oxford Hills Technical School (Norway, ME)

Maryland

North Point High School for Science Technology and Industry (Waldorf, MD)

Massachusetts

Essex Technical High School (Hathorne, MA)

Greater Lawrence Technical High School (Andover, MA)

Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School (Palmer, MA)

Minnesota

Hennepin Technical College    (Brooklyn Park, MN)

Minnesota State College Southeast (Winona, MN)

Ridgewater College (Willmar, MN)

South Central College (North Mankato, MN)

Missouri

Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center (Cape Girardeau, MO)

Franklin Technology Center (Joplin, MO)

Lex La-Ray Technical Center (Lexington, MO)

Perryville Area Career & Technology Center (Perryville, MO)

Montana

Montana State University Billings City College (Billings, MT)

Nebraska

Metropolitan Community College (Omaha, NE)

Southeast Community College (Milford, NE)

New Jersey

Thomas A. Edison Career & Technical Academy (Elizabeth, NJ)

New York

CA BOCES-CTE Center (Olean, NY

Cattaraugus Allegany Boces Center (Ellicottville, NY)

Erie 1 BOCES Kenton Career & Technical Center (Tonawanda, NY)

Erie Community College South (Orchard Park, NY)

GST Boces Bush Campus (Elmira, NY)

HFM Career and Technical Center (Johnstown, NY)

LoGuidice Center- Erie 2 BOCES (Fredonia, NY)

W.D.Ormsby Educational Center (East Aurora, NY)

North Carolina

Cleveland Community College (Shelby, NC)

Forsyth Tech Community College (Winston Salem, NC)

Iredell-Statesville Career Academy & Technical School (Troutman, NC)

Randolph Community College (Asheboro, NC)

Sandhills Community College (Pinehurst, NC)

Southwest High School (Jacksonville, NC)

Weaver Academy (Greensboro, NC)

North Dakota

North Dakota State College of Science (Wahpeton, ND)

Ohio

EHOVE Career Center (Milan, OH)

Grant Career Center (Bethel, OH)

Knox County Career Center (Mount Vernon,   OH)

Live Oaks Career Campus (Milford, OH)

Miami Valley Career Center (Englewood, OH)

Waite High School (Toledo, Ohio)

Oklahoma

Indian Capital Technology Center (Tahlequah, OK)

Oregon

Clackamas Community College (Oregon City, OR)

Pennsylvania

Berks Career and Technology Center (Oley, PA)

Central Montco Technical High School (Plymouth Meeting, PA)

Chester County Technical College High School Pennick’s Bridge campus (West Grove, PA)

Cumberland Perry Area Vocational Technical School (Mechanicsburg, PA)

Dauphin County Technical School (Harrisburg, PA)

Forbes Road CTC (Monroeville, PA)

Lebanon County Career and Technology Center (Lebanon, PA)

Northern Westmoreland Career & Technical Center (New Kensington, PA)

Reading-Muhlenburg Career and Technology Center (Reading, PA)

Steel Center (Clairton, PA)

TCHS Pickering (Phoenixville, PA)

West Side Career and Technology Center (Kingston, PA)

South Carolina

Beaufort Jasper Academy for Career Excellence (Ridgeland, SC)

Tennessee

Tennessee College of Applied Technology (Athens, TN)

Tennessee College of Applied Technology (Chattanooga, TN)

Tennessee College of Applied Technology (Knoxville, TN)

Tennessee College of Applied Technology (Paris, TN)

Tennessee College of Applied Technology (Shelbyville, TN)

Texas

Alvin ISD, Hensler CTE Campus (Manvel, TX)

Duncanville High School (Duncanville, TX)

Eastfield College (Mesquite, TX)

Kingwood Park High School (Kingwood, TX)

R L Turner High School (Carrollton, TX)

Texarkana College (Texarkana, TX)

Texas State Technical College (Waco, TX)

Virginia

CATEC (Charlottesville, VA)

New Horizons  (Hampton, VA)

Rockbridge County High School (Lexington, VA)

Triplett Tech (Mount Jackson, VA)

Northern Neck Technical Center (Warsaw, VA)

Washington State

Bellingham Technical College (Bellingham, WA)

Renton Tech College (Renton, WA)

Walla Walla Community College (Walla Walla, WA)

Wenatchee Valley Tech (Wenatchee, WA)

West Virginia

Mercer County Technical Education Center (Princeton, WV)

United Technical Center (Clarksburg, WV)

Wisconsin

Chippewa Valley Technical College (Eau Claire, WI)

Fox Valley Technical College (Appleton, WI)

Freedom High School (Freedom, WI)

Southwest Tech (Fennimore, WI)

 

 

Collision repair facilities, insurance companies and suppliers interested in supporting school grants should contact Education Foundation Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at (312) 231-0258.

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About the Collision Repair Education Foundation:

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.

 

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL – October 30, 2018 – The annual Collision Repair Education Foundation industry fundraiser, co-hosted by the automotive refinish business unit of PPG raised $130,000 through the support of attendees and sponsors. Sponsors and participants enjoyed a day of golf at the Trophy Club of Apalachee in Dacula,Ga. on August 6, 2018 and the funds raised from this event will go toward supporting scholarships and grants for collision schools and students.

“PPG is proud to support an event of this caliber,” said Tom Wolf, PPG director of business development, Automotive Refinish. “It’s an honor to bring together industry professionals from around the country and to assist the Foundation in making sure that collision repair students are well prepared for entering our industry. With the Education Foundation staff working towards another great event next year, I encourage industry members to participate through a sponsorship, by attending, or by donating items for the raffle table and silent auction. This is a wonderful and important investment in our industry’s future.”

“Through our the generous support of sponsors, attendees, and volunteers from the Atlanta I-CAR committee we had another great golf fundraiser event that will increase the Education Foundation’s ability to support high school and college collision school programs. We must extend a special thanks to the automotive refinish professionals at PPG for their continued co-sponsorship of the event,” said Collision Repair Education Foundation Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode.  

Next year’s event will take place July 23^rd in Indianapolis, Ind. in conjunction with the events surrounding the Collision Industry Conference.

Individuals and companies interested in getting involved with next year’s fundraiser should contact Education Foundation Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at (312) 231-0258 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

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 The Collision Repair Education Foundation

The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to securing donations that support 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: www.CollisionEducationFoundation.org

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD™

At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and materials that our customers have trusted for 135 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $14.7 billion in 2017. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.

For information about automotive refinish products from PPG, call (800) 647-6050 or visit www.ppgrefinish.com.

We protect and beautify the world is a trademark and the PPG Logo is a registered trademark of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

 

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL (October 26, 2018) – Allstate Insurance Company has continued its strong commitment to the future of the collision industry by contributing $100,000 to the Collision Repair Education Foundation. Industry donations such as Allstate’s assist the Foundation in its ability to support high school and college collision school programs, instructors, and students nationwide.

“Collision repair education is exceptionally important in preparing the next generation of technicians,” says Allstate’s Claims Vice President Dave Prejna. “Contributing to the Collision Repair Education Foundation is an investment in the future and something we take great pride in at Allstate.”

“Allstate’s continued support has allowed the Collision Repair Education Foundation to support collision schools that graduate students who are productive, efficient, and capable staff members day one on the job within the collision industry,” said Clark Plucinski, executive director of the Collision Repair Education Foundation. “As repair facilities are seeking the next generation of technicians who will be safely repairing consumers’ collision damaged vehicles, Allstate’s support assists in our ability to help high school and post-secondary collision instructors provide a quality technical education to their students.”

Industry members interested in joining the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s roster of supporters to assist high school and post-secondary collision school programs and students should contact Brandon Eckenrode, the Education Foundation’s Director of Development, at (312)231-0258 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

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About ALLSTATE:

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) protects people from life’s uncertainties with more than 88 million proprietary policies. Allstate offers a broad array of protection products through multiple brands and diverse distribution channels, including auto, home, life and other insurance offered through its Allstate, Esurance, Encompass, SquareTrade and Answer Financial brands. Allstate is widely known from the slogan “You’re in Good Hands with Allstate.”

About the Collision Repair Education Foundation:

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.