Hoffman Estates, Ill. (November 30, 2021) –
When Olivia Peterson, a collision repair student at College of Lake County (Grayslake, Ill.) applied for a scholarship through the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) earlier this year, she had no clue how far that simple action would take her in a short span of time. Chosen to receive a $2,500 scholarship from Gerber Collision & Glass, a division of the Boyd Group, Inc., in partnership with CREF, Peterson expressed her gratitude “for the investment in my future that this scholarship provides. By becoming a technician in the auto collision field, I hope that my actions will empower more women to pursue their own careers with cars, and this scholarship will ultimately help me realize this dream.”
Dreams have a funny way of coming true sooner than expected – or at least, that was true in this instance. Peterson applied for an internship at Gerber through their Technician Development Program (TDP) because “I felt that Gerber’s reputable, structured program would provide me with the best education for my new collision repair career.”
“Olivia is a fantastic employee who continues to amaze us,” said Luke Martin, technician development program school liaison for Gerber’s TDP. “Her work ethics are topnotch, and she has been an integral part of the Gerber team since day one. The drive that she shows for this position is something we hope to instill in all our employees.”
Peterson has learned a lot and acquired many new skills since joining Gerber. “The best part of the TDP is the real-world experience. Some aspects of the industry are impossible to accurately replicate in a traditional classroom environment. There is no better way to learn collision repair skills than in the actual environment in which you will be performing the work.”
“Being an apprentice at Gerber has made me feel very confident in my abilities to succeed in this industry,” she continued. “I started out with very little automotive repair experience, and I am amazed by how much program I’ve made and how much I’ve learned in such a short amount of time. I have a very realistic expectation of how the industry functions because I am immersed in it every day as an apprentice. The program teaches a wide variety of repair techniques that reflect the current I-CAR standard procedures, allowing future technicians to be prepared to handle anything that comes their way.”
In honor of National Apprenticeship Month in November, Gerber featured several apprentices, including Peterson, on its social media platforms in recognition of their efforts and successes. “These students are going to be the next workforce and will become an integral part of keeping this industry alive and well,” Martin explained. “The demand for workers in the collision industry is steadily increasing, and the more relationships we can create to better support students, the better we can prepare for this increasing demand.”
The collision repair industry definitely faces its share of demands, but Peterson embraces it all, for better or worse, offering advice for other students and apprentices: “Do not shy away from any challenges! Some repairs can appear quite intimidating, but these are the repairs on which you will experience the most personal growth and which will serve you the most benefit throughout your career.”
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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2021 Golf Registration
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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.
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
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.
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.
Interested 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:
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