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August 8, 2022 By Collision Repair Education Foundation

3M Product Donations Supply 300 Schools with Materials to Educate the Future Workforce Through CREF

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (August 8, 2022) –

As 2021 drew to an end, 3M was looking toward the future ─ specifically the collision repair industry’s future ─ as they donated $889,719.50 in products and supplies to 300 schools around the country, through the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF).

“Investing in the talent of the future for collision repair trade is a priority for 3M and the industry we serve.  We are seeing talent and labor shortages all over the United States, said Lori Tempelis, Vice President United States and Canada for the 3M Automotive Aftermarket.  “Engaging in the talent of the future not only fuels the body shops we work with, our developer and application engineers come from the industry to keep advancing and providing the experience to support our customers.”

Equipping collision education programs with the most up-to-date supplies, materials, tools and equipment allows collision instructors to train students with the same products they’ll be using in their future positions in the industry – without maxing out the department’s budget. Each care package included several DA sanders, along with sanding/graining/finishing discs, sandpaper, repair glue and “all kinds of good stuff,” according to Jerry Goodson, collision repair and refinishing instructor at Chippewa Valley Technical College (Eau Claire, WI).

“We receive an awesome package from 3M and CREF at least once a semester, sometimes more often,” Goodson reports. “It seems like every time our supplies start running low or our tools begin wearing out, we receive another pallet of donated materials from CREF through 3M or the Foundation’s others donors. It’s great that students get to learn with similar products to what they’ll be seeing when they enter the workforce; we don’t have to teach them on lower quality products to maintain our budget, plus the donations enable us to use more materials which gives students more experience before graduation.”

Enhancing students’ experience during their education is vital to maintaining engagement, but the donations play an even more important role in prepping the pipeline of workers and fueling the future success of the industry: They show students that they will be supported in their pursuit of a collision career.

“Each time we receive a delivery, my students are excited to see what donations came in. They really value that the industry cares about their education and ensuring we have the materials they need to learn their trade,” Goodson says. “I appreciate everything CREF and the industry does to help our program, but more importantly, our students appreciate it. These students are our future. Supporting collision programs enables our schools to provide students with a quality education that sets them up for success – and fulfills the industry’s future workforce needs.

“CREF is a great organization that’s staffed with a team of people who are passionate about what they do, and their efforts certainly help us educators provide the best possible education to the students who are the industry’s future collision technicians, estimators, painters… or whatever other career path they may choose,” he adds. “Thanks so much to the Collision Repair Education Foundation and its donors for all you do to make our jobs a lot easier. We’d have a hard time doing this without you!”

“We all know that collision programs work on small budgets. The industry’s generosity in subsidizing those funds through in-kind donations to stock classroom supply closets ensures that students get more hands-on experience which, in turn, will elevate the quality of help entering the workforce after graduation,” said Melissa Marscin, CREF’s director of operations and impact. “I want to thank 3M for working with the Foundation to enhance these programs as they prepare students to enter the industry with the training necessary to succeed.”

Since 2008, 3M has actively aided the Foundation’s efforts to assist collision students, instructors and schools, generously providing frequent in-kind donations, funding grants and supporting CREF’s Hire Our Heroes campaign. For additional information about 3M, visit 3Mcollision.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, 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.

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

Filed Under: News & Events, Press Release Tagged With: 3M, Donations

June 2, 2022 By Collision Repair Education Foundation

CREF Honors 21 I-CAR Volunteer Committees for Supporting Local Collision School Programs at Regional Conferences

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (June 2, 2022) –

The Collision Repair Education Foundation’s goal is to support collision repair educational programs, schools and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities; however, that’s not possible without the industry’s support. Volunteer I-CAR Committees around the country avidly support the Foundation’s initiatives by coordinating local fundraisers, sponsoring uniforms and more to benefit their local collision school programs. During I-CAR’s recent Zone Conferences, CREF recognized 21 I-CAR Committees for their 2021 dedication to the industry’s future by holding a fundraiser for their local collision school programs in 2021.

“The Foundation’s role is to facilitate the industry’s generosity, and I-CAR Committees that support CREF are very generous!” states CREF Managing Director Brandon Eckenrode. “We recognized 21 committees for their extensive efforts in supporting their local collision school programs and students in 2021 through a multitude of fundraising initiatives.”

Each committee received a unique bowling pin which was repaired, designed and painted by collision students around the country for use as recognition awards. I-CAR believes that local engagement with schools and students is so important that many of their committee goals are related to these efforts. Committees are encouraged to get involved with school advisory boards, the “Adopt-a-School” program, host or attend a local career fair, and collaborate with CREF to hold a fundraising event to benefit a local school.

“Many of our committees are heavily involved with their local schools and support CREF because it yields positive results. They love participating with the schools, which aligns with I-CAR’s goal to do our part in improving the talent crisis across the collision industry,” shares I-CAR Director of Field Sales, Career & Technical Education Terry Ticel. “Our committees’   participation in the adopt-a-school program, fundraising events and advisory board involvement allows us to work closer with CREF and support their initiatives, while being visible in the schools and support the industry. This allows industry experts to provide students and instructors with insight into what the collision repair industry is truly seeking in entry-level technicians. That connection and communication is so important for both the schools’ and the students’ success, and as well as the industry’s future success.”

On April 9th, during the I-CAR Eastern Zone Conference in Charlotte, NC, CREF honored seven committees that have made a significant impact on the future generation of collision repair professionals.

  • Albany, NY I-CAR Committee
  • Greater Philadelphia, PA I-CAR Committee
  • Palm Beach, FL I-CAR Committee
  • Broward County, FL I-CAR Committee
  • Atlanta, GA I-CAR Committee
  • Nashville, TN I-CAR Committee
  • Knoxville, TN I-CAR Committee

The I-CAR Central Zone Conference took place the weekend of April 22 in St. Louis, MO with 13 I-CAR committees receiving recognition for their efforts to support collision schools and students.

  • Columbus, OH I-CAR Committee
  • Ohio Northeast I-CAR Committee
  • Ohio West I-CAR Committee
  • Indianapolis, IN I-CAR Committee
  • Northwest IN I-CAR Committee
  • Northeast IN I-CAR Committee
  • Southern IN I-CAR Committee
  • Fox Valley, WI I-CAR Committee
  • Milwaukee, WI I-CAR Committee
  • Madison, WI I-CAR Committee
  • North Central WI I-CAR Committee
  • Louis I-CAR Committee
  • Houston I-CAR Committee

On May 21, the I-CAR Western Zone Conference took place in Phoenix, AZ, where CREF recognized one committee:

  • Phoenix I-CAR Committee

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.

Filed Under: News & Events, Press Release Tagged With: Donations, I-CAR Committees

December 11, 2020 By admin

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.

12 Days of CREF-mas

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

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Donations

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About the Foundation


The Collision Repair Education Foundation is a national nonprofit and tax-exempt student organization under the Internal Revenue Service Code, Section (501)(c)(3).

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ADDRESS:
Collision Repair Education Foundation
5125 Trillium Blvd.
Hoffman Estates, IL 60192

PHONE: 888.722.3787
Email: info@ed-foundation.org

Recent Posts

  • CREF Invites Collision Industry to Spring 2023 High School & College Transportation Student Career Fairs
  • CREF Challenges Students to Get Creative: Art Meets Automotive Contest Accepting Submissions
  • If you’re ready to find and land the job of your dreams, you’ve come to the right place!
  • A Year in Review: CREF Celebrates a Successful 2022
  • CREF Opens 2023 Scholarship Applications
  • Ten I-CAR Committees Raise $163,000 to Benefit 27 Collision Schools with Benchmark Grants Through CREF
  • Four CREF Grants Help Schools Build a Better Future

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