Collision Repair Education Foundation

Slider

By

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.

By

Collision Repair Education Foundation Virtual Golf Fundraiser July 25

Golfing and online game enthusiasts around the globe are invited to join the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) in their first virtual golf event scheduled for Saturday, July 25th. Through a $25 donation, CREF will be coordinating an online day of golf that players can participate from the comfort of their home on their phone, tablet, or computer.

2020 Grand Prize GoldenTee Home UnitInterested in taking part and joining us in supporting high school/college collision programs?

  • Make a $25 online donation below. The first (150) registrants will get a CREF golf ‘swag bag’ with promotional items.
  • Visit www.wgt.com to create your free, TopGolf player profile and start practicing your online golf swing.
  • On Saturday, July 25th all registered players will be emailed details & instructions on CREF’s online golf day.

Online registration available:

  • $25 – (1) Player Registration

Questions about the event, contact CREF Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode – Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org

Online Registration is available below:

 

 

 

 

 

By

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

By

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 Brandon Eckenrode at (312) 231-0258 or Brandon.Eckenrode@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.

###

By

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