Collision Repair Education Foundation

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CREF Ramping Up Support for Struggling Education System

Dear CREF Supporters,

This time in history is unprecedented; the entire country and entire world are working to find a solution to the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses, individuals and governments are being challenged in every way possible to continue operating but in limited capacity.

Make a Difference DonateThe collision education system is being directly impacted by this pandemic!

Many states have already cancelled school for the entire school year and educators are struggling for resources to educate their students.

CREF is taking an active role to help the struggling collision education system.

Here are some key initiatives CREF is 100% focused on immediately to help the education system:

Employment: With the end of the school year approaching, we are connecting students with possible employment opportunities. This includes a resume database and virtual career fairs which all can be done online

Resume Database: We are working together with educators to put together a list of students ready to start work in the collision industry

Virtual Career Fair: With CREF having to postpone the remainder of the 2020 spring career fair schedule, we are looking to host virtual career fairs to help connect students and employers

Online Training: CREF is putting together a list of training opportunities for instructors and students to utilize during this period of e-learning. Our goal is to host 1-2 live webinars for students/instructors as well as provide a master list of resources

Student Scholarships: With many campuses and businesses closed, students are struggling to have an income to pay for education. CREF is ramping up support for the scholarship program to help the students bridge the gap during these difficult times. Our goal is to give out $100,000+ in awards this spring to deserving students

School Support: Most schools did not have a detailed school plan in place for long-term e-learning so many schools are struggling to adapt. CREF is helping with curriculum, online platforms, and other instructor needs to help deliver education to their students

We know these are difficult times, but please consider a pledge or donation in any amount to CREF to support our initiatives to help the education system. Remember, the students of today are the future of the Collision Industry.

Sincerely,

Clark Plucinski, Executive Director

Collision Repair Education Foundation

Clark.Plucinski@ed-foundation.org

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CREF Invites Dealers to Become Part of the Solution with New Initiative – Over 500 Collision School Programs Requesting Parts

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (February 12, 2020) – The Collision Repair Education Foundation is excited to announce the creation of their new “Part of the Solution” initiative which provides dealers and dealer groups with an opportunity to support future technicians by donating leftover parts that would otherwise be discarded, allowing students to train on current model vehicles.

Part of the Solution

“Our philosophy is a higher quality program will attract a higher quality student which will make for a higher quality industry employee,” stated Christen Battaglia, Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Foundation. “When the technicians entering the industry are well-trained on current vehicles, using modern equipment and tools, the entire automotive industry benefits.”

Parts are the most frequent need reported by schools with collision repair education programs, including fenders, hoods, bumper covers and a variety of other parts. Without access to these parts, many students are learning on vehicles and parts that are at least a decade old, but with the frequent advances in technology, this leaves student unequipped for a successful career after graduation.

Recognizing that most dealers trash thousands of dollars’ worth of parts monthly, the Foundation developed the “Part of the Solution” initiative in order to connect local schools with these dealers and dealer groups. CREF has compiled a list of over 500 schools across the U. S. in need of scrap parts that can be donated at little to no cost to the donor facility.

“Hendrick Automotive Group is excited to partner with CREF’s initiative to provide students with current vehicle parts to practice OE repair procedures on that will better prepare them for today’s Collision repair environment,” said Roger Mesiemore, Corporate Director of Collision and Service Operations for Hendrick Automotive Group which has already signed on to support the future generation of technicians by participating in “Part of the Solution.”

Dealers and dealer groups can also support future technicians by donating professional uniforms through the Foundation’s Student Technician Shirt Project. Supporters purchase professional Cintas technician shirts for their local collision education programs, receiving a logo patch on the shirt in recognition of their dedication to the industry.

According to Battaglia, “Receiving professional uniforms fills students with a sense of pride and teaches them what it means to look professional in the workplace. It instills confidence in them, reminds them that plenty of us believe in them, and reaffirms that they will have support as they pursue their education and enter the automotive industry as well-trained professionals.”

Industry members interested in supporting the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s efforts to assist secondary and post-secondary collision repair training programs should contact Christen Battaglia at (302) 377-5202 or Christen.Battaglia@ed-foundation.org.

Click here to download a listing of the 500 schools

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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April 7 Golf Fundraiser in Jacksonville, Florida Cancelled

The Collision Repair Education Foundation has cancelled its Golf Fundraiser that was scheduled to take place April 7 in Jacksonville, Fla.

The event will take place at TopGolf located at 10531 Brightman Blvd. in Jacksonville, Fla. from 6-9 pm on April 7, 2020 in conjunction with other collision industry meetings taking place that week.

Several sponsorship tiers are also available:

PLATINUM – $5000 Sponsor

  • 2 Sponsored Golf Bays – Up to 12 Players
  • Recognition on Promo Materials and/or Signage Before & During Event
  • Introduction and Speaking Opportunity at Awards Ceremony
  • Unlimited Buffet and Drinks (Beer, Wine, Soda)

GOLD – $3000 Sponsor

  • 1 Sponsored Golf Bay – Up to 6 Players
  • Recognition on Promo Materials and/or Signage Before & During Event
  • Recognition at Awards Ceremony
  • Unlimited Buffet and Drinks (Beer, Wine, Soda)

SILVER – $1000 Sponsor

  • 1 Sponsored Golf Bay – Up to 6 Players
  • Logo on Sponsor Board
  • Unlimited Buffet and Drinks (Beer, Wine, Soda)

BRONZE – $500 Sponsor

  • Up to 2 Players
  • Unlimited Buffet and Drinks (Beer, Wine, Soda)

Sponsorship payments can be made online with a credit card by entering the amount and choosing the 2020 CREF TopGolf Outing in Jacksonville as the designation. For more information on sponosrship contact Christen Battaglia at (302) 377-5202  or via email at Christen.Battaglia@ed-foundation.org

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3M Hire Our Heroes

The 3M Hire Our Heroes 500 during 2018 SEMA Show raised funds to support scholarships and tool grants to military veterans and their families.

 

Collision Repair Industry’s Top Shop Owners, MSO Leaders and Industry-Leading Companies Raced to Claim the Honors

Donate to the Collision Repair Education Foundation to support the 3M Hire Our Heroes campaign

 

Hire Out Heroes 500 logoWhen the tire smoke cleared and the final results tallied, Gary Boesel, owner of CARSTAR Alpine and CARSTAR Jordan Road took home the top honors with a fast time of 153.87 in the 3M Hire Our Heroes 500, outpacing representatives from top collision repair companies and industry partners.

3M Automotive Aftermarket Division, along with the Collision Repair Education Foundation, put its effort to provide collision repair education opportunities for military members into high gear this year, hosting the 3M Hire Our Heroes 500 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This year’s program raised more than $150,000 for the 3M Hire Our Heroes program, which provides scholarships and tool grants for military members who want to enter the collision repair industry. All donations for the 3M Hire Our Heroes 500 went to the 3M Hire Our Heroes scholarship fund.

“That was one of the most incredible experiences in my life,” said Boesel, who competed in drag racing as a young adult. “To have my family here and take home the trophy is amazing. Then to have Richard Petty present it to me is unbelievable. What an honor to race for the team at CARSTAR Alpine and CARSTAR Jordan Road and represent the CARSTAR brand.”

Richard Petty (l) presents Gary Boesel with the 3M Hire Our Heroes 500 Trophy at SEMA.

On Tuesday, October 30 during the 2018 SEMA Show, representatives from top MSO and independent collision repair companies industry partners competed in NASCAR stock cars from the NASCAR Racing Experience at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for bragging rights as the fastest collision repair professional in the industry. Legendary automotive designer Chip Foose waved the green flag for the field. The winner was presented the race trophy by NASCAR Hall of Fame member Richard Petty on Wednesday, October 31, in the 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division outside booth at SEMA.

Companies that competed in the race included:  CARSTAR, Gerber Collision & Glass, Auto Body Evolution, Lindsay Collision Centers, Brandywine Coach Works, Skeeter’s Body Shop, Caliber Collision, Fix Auto, Berkshire Hathaway Automotive/English Color and Supply, Certified Collision Group, CARSTAR Jordon Road/CARSTAR Alpine, Garmat and Enterprise Rent-a-Car. 

Each participant generously donated to have a car in the field. All proceeds benefit the 3M Hire Our Heroes program.

“What a great night with many of our colleagues in the collision repair industry,” said Dale Ross, U.S. Marketing Operations Manager for 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division. “There was racing excitement in beautifully branded race cars under the lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Chip Foose waved the green flag, top painters from around the country showed off custom helmets for each driver and it all benefited an important cause – providing scholarships and tool grants for military members who want to work in the collision repair industry. This was a unique, once-of-a-lifetime event that engaged many of our collision repair industry’s leading companies in a race for an amazing trophy – and bragging rights. We’re honored to have everyone’s support.”

The partners in the 3M Hire Our Heroes 500 included 3M Commercial Solutions Division, which provided the graphic film for the cars, TriMaxx Graphics, which printed the film, Graphix GearWerks handled the installation, and NASCAR Racing Experience provided the race cars and managed the on-track event.

“The 3M Hire Our Heroes program has been an incredible initiative that will help launch a rewarding career for our scholarship and tool grant recipients and benefit our industry overall,” said Clark Plucinski, Executive Director of the Collision Repair Education Foundation. “The generosity of the industry in supporting this program is heartwarming, and they are playing a critical role in building the success of our industry for years to come.”

This is the sixth year that 3M has partnered with the Collision Repair Education Foundation in support of our industry and our nation’s veterans. Since 2013, the 3M Hire Our Heroes program has generated more than $1.2 million to be used toward scholarships and tool grants for military veterans and their family members. Nearly 330 military veterans and their families have already received scholarships and grants.

If you prefer, you can mail your donation to Collision Repair Education Foundation, 5125 Trillium Boulevard, Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60192. If sending a check, be sure to identify “Hire our Heroes” in the memo section of the check.

Check out the videos below with Hire Our Heroes Grant Recipients


 

 

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Student of the Year Winner Gets Noticed

Annie Michalski, one of two winners of the 2016 Collision Repair Education Foundation’s Student of the Year Award, says she feels welcome in a world where she never thought she would, and she’s planning to stick around. The automotive collision repair industry is lucky to have her; in a time when demands are rising, technology is advancing rapidly, and the vast majority of employees are male and over age 35, it’s in desperate need of people like Michalski. She’s hoping to make the industry more welcoming to others like her: intelligent millennial women.

Annie Michalski, a 2016 Student of the Year winner, was featured on the cover of the February 2017 issue of Fenderbender magazine.

Currently, Michalski represents two minorities in the industry: women and young people. She hopes that by stepping up and setting an example, she can continue to be a role model for future generations. She said, “I’m a woman, and there aren’t a lot of women in the industry. The thing about that is, every single woman I have met in the industry is amazingly strong and pushing us further every day to equality. The thing that I still see needing much work is the age gap. There are so few technicians entering the scene nowadays.”

When she was first introduced to the collision repair program at her school, Michalski was a little intimidated. “I won’t lie, anytime I was ever approached about the industry… it was older men who were… shown as the standard in the field. I think we need to break that stereotype.” Within a few days, she decided it was the opportunity she needed to prove herself as both a young person and a woman. Michalski has studied collision repair since her sophomore year of high school, and this year, was selected as a CREF student of the year.

Michalski said, “I’d like to say I was selected because my teacher (John Warabow) saw the potential in me… I’m drive and enjoy the art and science of collision repair.”

On being selected as a CREF student of the year, Michalski said, “The Collision Repair Education Foundation helped me understand how far one could go in this industry; without them I would be a lot more lost and have a foggier future.”

The collision repair program at her school has enabled Michalski to complete several certifications. In addition, she is a member of SkillsUSA, she serves on the collision program’s Advisory Committee, and she works at a local dealership as part of the cooperative education program. Her accomplishments in collision repair have helped to shape her dream of continuing to a career in the industry, and enabled her to find a path to do it. Michalski said, “I hope to continue forward into the business aspect of the industry. I plan on attending college in the fall for management or marketing.”

Michalski was also interviewed by CollisionWeek publisher Russell Thrall. The video of that interview appears below.

Michalski, who attended Western Area Career and Technology in Canonsburg, Pa. was nominated by her instructor, John Warabow, who wrote in his recommendation for the award last year, “Anna entered my program as a sophomore and is now a senior. Her ability to communicate with fellow students, staff and faculty has made her well-known and respected. She has become a true leader in the class and her fellow students are encouraged by her positive attitude and the ability to accomplish any given task.”

In the video above, Michalski explains what attracted her to a career in the collision industry, how her family and friends reacted and supported her decision. She also talks about the support she has received from the industry, including from Petra Schroeder, chair of the Women’s Industry Network, as well as the Foundation. Michalski graduated high school in 2017 and is attending college, planning to study business. She plans to combine the business skills she learns in college with the technical skills she gained in collision repair to find a career in the industry upon graduation.