Collision Repair Education Foundation

Press Release

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Service King Funds $30,000 in Service King Way Grants Through Collision Repair Education Foundation

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (January 14, 2022) –

Service King supported the Collision Repair Education Foundation and the industry at-large by donating $30,000 for distribution between three schools’ collision education programs through the Service King Way Grant: In Honor of Mario Malacara.

“We all must play a part in growing talent in the collision industry, and Service King remains committed to doing so,” says Sean Huurman, Chief Human Resources Officer for Service King. “These schools have proven their ability to educate students on our trade. Our partnership with CREF and the Service King Way Grant provides them the means to further strengthen their programs. Mario was passionate about education and students, and we are thrilled to carry on his legacy.”

Service King awarded three $10,000 Service King Way Grants: 

  • Collin College Technical Campus (Allen, Texas)
  • Contra Costa College (San Pablo, Calif.)
  • Maxwell High School of Technology (Lawrenceville, Ga.)

The Service King Way Grant was established in 2017 to honor the memory of Mario Malacara, an admired member of the Service King family. Malacara dedicated his life to the collision industry, and his loyalty left a lasting impact on the industry, through his mentorship and legislative efforts. His legacy lives on through this grant, allowing him to continue to inspire the next generation of collision repair professionals.

Eligibility for these awards was achieved by applying for the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s 2021 Collision School Career Readiness Benchmark Grant. The Collision School Career Readiness Benchmark Grants recognize schools that excel at educating students in collision repair, but due to strained school budgets, the programs require additional financial assistance. Recipient schools use these funds to provide the tools, equipment and supplies necessary to enhance their students’ learning experience and elevate the caliber of their graduates, ensuring that graduates are prepared to successfully enter the workforce upon graduation. Applications for the 2022 Collision School Career Readiness Benchmark Grants will be available online in January 2022.

Service King has supported the efforts of the Collision Repair Education Foundation since 1994. For additional information about Service King, visit www.serviceking.com.

Industry members interested in 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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If you would like more information, please call 888-722-3787 or email info@ed-foundation.org.

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Gerber Collision Donates $2,500 to Florida Collision School Through the Collision Repair Education Foundation

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (January 14, 2022) –

Gerber Collision & Glass, a division of the Boyd Group, Inc., continued to support the collision industry’s future generation by funding a $2,500 Benchmark grant, which will be used to better educate students and help ensure that they are prepared to successfully begin a career in the collision repair industry after graduation.

“We at Gerber Collision & Glass are honored to award the $2,500 grant to Hillsborough Community College,” said Luke Martin, Technician Development Program School Liaison at Gerber Collision & Glass. “The continued growth and support of this industry is a huge priority at Gerber, and we are proud to continue working with CREF to establish said growth. Hillsborough Community College has demonstrated the continued pursuit towards better education for students while assisting them in establishing a strong and lasting career. We would like to thank everyone who has been involved with this incredible initiative, and we look forward to seeing these students continue to flourish. We hope that this grant will be used to enable and inspire students to pursue a lucrative career in the automotive industry.”

The recipient of the $2,500 grant from Gerber Collision & Glass was awarded to:

  • Hillsborough Community College (Tampa, FL)

The Collision School Career Readiness Benchmark Grants recognize schools that excel at educating students in collision repair, but due to strained school budgets, the programs require additional financial assistance. Recipient schools use these funds to provide the tools, equipment and supplies necessary to enhance their students’ learning experience and elevate the caliber of their graduates, ensuring that graduates are prepared to successfully enter the workforce upon graduation. Applications for the 2022 Collision School Career Readiness Benchmark Grants will be available online in January 2022.

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, Director of Development, 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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If you would like more information about this topic, please email info@ed-foundation.org.

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CCC’s Classroom Enhancement Grants Aid Efforts to Improve Collision School Programs Through the Collision Repair Education Foundation

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (January 14, 2022) –

CCC Intelligent Solutions Inc. (CCC) (NYSE: CCCS) is proud to announce the recipients of two individual Classroom Enhancement Grants, totaling $15,000, awarded through the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF). The awarded educational facilities will utilize these funds to enhance their collision repair training programs and equip students with the tools they need for a successful career in collision repair.

CCC Classroom Grant Award Recipients:

  • Duncanville High School (Duncanville, Texas) received a $9,000 grant.
  • Central Montco Technical High School (Plymouth Meeting, Penn.) received a $6,000 grant.

Senior Vice President and General Manager of OEM & New Ventures, CCC Intelligent Solutions, Andreas Hecht said, “There are critical hiring shortages in the collision repair industry, and CCC is proud to provide access to technology to advance the education and training of tomorrow’s repair professionals. We are proud to support CREF and its commitment to excellence and building awareness for successful collision industry career opportunities.”

CCC’s Classroom Enhancement Grants are designed to assist schools’ collision repair programs with classroom materials, such as electronics, tools, furniture, and other items, to ensure that students pursuing a career in collision repair have access to a professional learning environment and are prepared to successfully enter the workforce upon graduation.

CCC is a founding member of the Foundation. For additional information, visit cccis.com.

Industry members interested in supporting the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s efforts to assist secondary and post-secondary collision repair training programs should contact Brandon Eckenrode, Director of Development, at 312-231-0258 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

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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If you would like more information, please call 888-722-3787 or email info@ed-foundation.org.

 

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Farmers Insurance® Breaks Its Record for School Vehicle Donations in 2021 through the Collision Repair Education Foundation

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (January 11, 2022) – 

The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) and Farmers Insurance® are excited to announce that their vehicle donation program to support collision schools had its biggest year ever in 2021.  

“By the end of November, we already had delivered over 30 vehicles to schools so far in 2021 with many others in progress,” stated Ken Kowalski, auto salvage consultant for Farmers Insurance. “Previously, our biggest year was 28 donations in 2019. This year, we’re proud to announce that we’ve set a new record for donations delivered.” 

Since the program began in 2016, it has not only grown ─ it has evolved! The program’s original iteration called for vehicles to be repaired by students and sold at auction, with the proceeds benefitting both CREF and the participating school. In addition to selling the vehicle at no charge, Copart donated towing services to help ensure the vehicles reached the schools. 

“We have come a long way from those beginnings,” Kowalski noted. “We learned that different schools have very different needs. While some schools repair vehicles to return them to service, others use vehicles to help teach students to use frame machines. Others are used repeatedly for students to learn assembly and disassembly or as a classroom learning aid, and some are repaired.” 

After repairing donated vehicles, several schools have then partnered with the National Auto Body Council (NABC) to give the vehicle to someone in need through the Recycled Rides® program. Kowalski shared one of his favorite uses of a donated vehicle: “After repairing the vehicle, the school gave it to a low-income student who was graduating from the program to ensure they would have transportation to get to their new job at a body shop.” 

The current program has been streamlined for simplicity. After identifying a school in need of a vehicle donation, the Foundation acts as liaison between Farmers Insurance and the school, facilitating completion of vehicle selection, and title transfers, ultimately resulting in the vehicle being delivered to the school. 

“Cars are definitely the most requested item from school collision programs,” stated Melissa Marscin, director of operations and administration for CREF. “We are very grateful to Farmers® for stepping up to help fulfill this need and to give students the ability to practice on newer vehicles.” 

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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If you would like more information about this topic, please email info@ed-foundation.org. 

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Four Schools Benefit from Funds Raised During Global Finishing Solutions Golf Ball Drop Through Collision Repair Education Foundation

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (January 11, 2022) –

In October 2021, Global Finishing Solutions (GFS) partnered with famed custom car builder Ringbrothers and the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) for a sky-high fundraising event. While helicopter ball drops have been held in conjunction with golf tournaments to support CREF in the past, the idea of hosting a helicopter ball drop as a standalone event is a newer venture that has proven to be a successful way to support high school and college collision repair programs. Four Wisconsin schools will receive grants using the funds raised.

“GFS and Ringbrothers are longtime partners, and we both have a commitment to supporting collision repair education,” said Jim Faragher, GFS President. “To raise grant money through the Collision Repair Education Foundation with a unique event like this is very special. It is a great feeling to see students use the products we produce in their programs to gain additional knowledge of this industry.”

Each of the following schools will receive a $2,000 Benchmark Grant:
• Chippewa Valley Technical College (Eau Claire, WI)
• Fox Valley Technical College (Appleton, WI)
• Freedom High School (Freedom, WI)
• Germantown High School (Germantown, WI)

The Collision School Career Readiness Benchmark Grants recognize schools that excel at educating students in collision repair, but due to strained school budgets, the programs require additional financial assistance. Recipient schools use these funds to provide the tools, equipment and supplies necessary to enhance their students’ learning experience and elevate the caliber of their graduates, ensuring that graduates are prepared to successfully enter the workforce upon graduation. Applications for the 2022 Collision School Career Readiness Benchmark Grants will be available online in January 2022.
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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If you would like more information about this topic, please email info@ed-foundation.org.

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Five Schools Receive Funds to Improve Collision Programs through Farmers Insurance® and the Collision Repair Education Foundation

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (January 4, 2022) –

Continuing its collaboration with the Collision Repair Education Foundation, Farmers Insurance® sponsored five $3,000 Benchmark Grants in support of collision repair education programs at secondary and post-secondary schools. Instructors use donated funds to enhance their educational offerings and help ensure that the students graduating from their programs are prepared to enter a career in the collision repair industry.

“The Farmers® team is proud of our longstanding dedication to giving back and helping make a positive impact in the communities we’re proud to serve,” said Gerald Poirier, strategy and process lead for Farmers Insurance. “As an insurer, Farmers knows how invaluable collision repair work can be in getting customers back on the road after an accident and we hope our contribution helps strengthen the collision repair education programs.”

Farmers Insurance awarded five $3,000 grants to:

  • Livermore High School (Livermore, CA)
  • Dos Palos High School (Dos Palos, CA)
  • Kingwood Park High School (Kingwood, TX)
  • JB Hensler College and Career Academy aka Alvin ISD (Manvel, TX)
  • South Plains College (Levelland, TX)

The Collision School Career Readiness Benchmark Grants recognize schools that excel at educating students in collision repair, but due to strained school budgets, the programs require additional financial assistance. Recipient schools use these funds to provide the tools, equipment and supplies necessary to enhance their students’ learning experience and elevate the caliber of their graduates, helping ensure that graduates are prepared to successfully enter the workforce upon graduation. Applications for the 2022 Collision School Career Readiness Benchmark Grants will be available online in January 2022.

Farmers Insurance is a proud supporter of the Foundation. For additional information, visit farmers.com.

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, Director of Development, 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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If you would like more information about this topic, please email info@ed-foundation.org.