Collision Repair Education Foundation

I-CAR Committees

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CREF Celebrates I-CAR’s 2022 $240,000 Donation and Volunteer Committees for Local Collision School Fundraising Efforts at I-CAR Zone Meetings

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (June 9, 2023) –

Since the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) was founded in 1991, the organization has worked closely with I-CAR to support collision repair educational programs, schools and students, to create qualified, entry-level employees and to connect them with an array of career opportunities. I-CAR and its team champions CREF’s efforts in a number of ways, including through the avid work of I-CAR’s Volunteers and Committees which support the Foundation’s initiatives by engaging with schools, coordinating local fundraisers, sponsoring uniforms and more to benefit their local collision school programs.

During I-CAR’s recent Zone Meetings, CREF honored 20 I-CAR Committees for their dedication to the industry’s future in 2022 and their outstanding local fundraising efforts to support collision school programs in the area! CREF Executive Director Brandon Eckenrode attended all three events to recognize each committee that held a fundraiser event in their local market to benefit local schools and also to accept I-CAR’s generous 2022 donation, a check for $240,000.

“Among CREF’s many initiatives to support collision repair educational programs, schools, and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities, the Foundation also works directly with entities like I-CAR to facilitate the industry’s generosity. I-CAR – both through the work of its direct staff team and through the volunteer work of its committees which are comprised of professionals from across the industry – is incredibly generous!” Eckenrode applauded the committees’ extensive efforts to support local collision school programs and students through a multitude of fundraising initiatives and volunteer efforts. “There are a lot of ways to make a difference including through volunteering of time, talents and donations. The I-CAR committees do all three of these things incredibly well through fundraisers as well as working directly with the schools and the students, and we’re grateful for the individuals who are dedicated to making a difference as well as the employers that support and encourage them when they volunteer their time to these efforts.

“The 2023 I-CAR Zone Meetings were a great success that brought industry professionals together to share knowledge, build connections and highlight the value of collaboration and community in the collision repair industry,” he added. “CREF is proud to be a part of such a supportive and dedicated community!”

Each committee honored by CREF for their efforts in 2022 received a unique bowling pin which was repaired, designed and painted by collision students around the country for use as recognition awards. During each meeting, CREF also had the chance to engage with local I-CAR volunteers through a break-out session.

“This was a great opportunity to provide an update on CREF activities and showcase opportunities where the I-CAR Committees can further assist students by ensuring their local schools are applying for CREF’s school grant and student scholarships,” Eckenrode recalled. “It also allowed committees to interact with each other to share tips and tricks on getting local schools engaged in their regions.”

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, host or attend a local career fair, and collaborate with CREF to hold a fundraising event to benefit a local school.

“As sister organizations, I-CAR takes support for CREF seriously,” says I-CAR CEO and President John S. Van Alstyne. “Not only do we provide daily back-office support for CREF, our Committees and Field Managers are very focused on raising the bar with schools, connecting them with CREF to drive improvement initiatives, and ultimately helping to place students in productive jobs especially with repair facilities. With our most recent donation, which we make annually on behalf the industry based on industry training activity with I-CAR, I-CAR has now donated nearly $2.1 million to CREF on the industry’s behalf since this donation program was put in place in 2012. The work we do together is making a difference for the industry, and we plan to do more in the coming years as our Talent Programming initiatives come to life.”

On February 24, during the I-CAR Western Zone Meeting in Phoenix, AZ, CREF honored two committees that have made a significant impact on the future generation of collision repair professionals.

  • Minnesota I-CAR Committee
  • Phoenix, AZ I-CAR Committee

The I-CAR Eastern Zone Meeting took place on March 24 in Charlotte, NC with eight I-CAR committees receiving recognition for their efforts to support collision schools and students.

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

During the weekend of May 5, the I-CAR Central Zone Meeting took place in St. Louis, MO where CREF recognized 10 committees:

  • Columbus, OH I-CAR Committee
  • Fox Valley, WI I-CAR Committee
  • Houston, TX I-CAR Committee
  • Indianapolis, IN I-CAR Committee
  • Milwaukee, WI I-CAR Committee
  • Madison, WI I-CAR Committee
  • Northeast IN I-CAR Committee
  • Northwest IN I-CAR Committee
  • Southern IN I-CAR Committee
  • Louis, MO 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, or to get engaged with I-CAR’s Committees across the country, can Contact Us to learn about the many ways to get involved. 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.

Follow us on social media on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

If you would like more information about this topic or any of CREF’s initiatives, please email info@ed-foundation.org.

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Grants, Golf and Gratitude: Atlanta I-CAR Committee Strengthens Local Schools’ Collision Programs Through CREF

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (June 10, 2022) –

“Dear Advisory Board: Thank you for your support and letting me learn how to repair body work on a car. Without your help, and Mr. Goodwin’s teaching, I probably wouldn’t have learned what I learned this semester.”

“Thank you for donating tools to help us learn about a new career that can help us later in life.”

“You guys have done so much for our class. We can’t thank you enough!”

Collision repair students at Paulding County High School (PCHS) in Dallas, GA sent handwritten notes to members of their program’s advisory board after the school’s second annual Small Car Race, an end-of-year project where students race the six-inch-long small cars they’ve built using recycled car parts.

“By building these cars, the students learn skills like design, sanding, metal work, welding, and painting, but in addition to allowing them to develop basic skills, this project helps build their self-confidence,” shares Melissa Dunn, chair of the PCHS advisory board and co-chair of training for the Atlanta I-CAR Committee. “Students were so proud of the cars they built, and many asked for advice on how they could have improved the design and paint after the races. Returning students will take what they learned this year – and the feedback received – to build a better car for next year’s race.”

Dunn estimates that around 100 people stopped by to watch the races, including Hayden Swank, a late model race car driver with NASCAR aspirations. “Students were excited to see Hayden – and they definitely felt the pressure to do well in front of a real race car driver,” Dunn notes. “Hayden was wonderful to come to the event and support the school’s program…he even waved the green flag to start cars down the track!”

Last year’s Small Car Race generated enough attention to inspire several students to transfer into the auto body program for the 2021-2022 school year, which is only the second year for the collision repair program at PCHS. Instructor Leroy Goodwin taught automotive for six years, but he felt that he was doing students a disservice by not offering any auto body experience. “Two years ago, this program didn’t exist, but when the school agreed to let me add it, I started with nothing more than my personal tools and built it up from nothing,” he recalls.

But the program is growing strong. Two students competed in their state’s SkillsUSA competition this spring with Goodwin’s advanced student taking third place in collision repair and his first-year student placing fourth in refinishing. “His blending was dead-on; the judge couldn’t even find the blend lines,” Goodwin brags. “I was so proud of them both. We also had our first collision graduate recently. He finished school with an ASE certification…and a job offer. We’ll have at least 20 students graduating next year.”

So, how did Goodwin manage to establish and develop such a strong auto body program in a short amount of time…and on the school’s limited program budget of $5,000?

“Without the support we’ve received from our advisory board, the Atlanta I-CAR Committee and the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), there’s no way this program would be anywhere near where it’s at,” he expresses. “Our advisory board members are committed to our program and constantly make sure we have everything we need. The Atlanta I-CAR Committee has funded grants and donated tools, equipment and computers, while CREF has also given us tools, estimating software, paint and many materials. These groups are our backbone, and we wouldn’t have this program if it wasn’t for their aid.”

“Because PCHS applies for the CREF grant, they are also able to take advantage of funds raised by the Atlanta I-CAR Committee, allowing Mr. Goodwin to purchase more equipment for his classroom and teach his students the basic skills needed to start their career in the collision repair industry,” Dunn offers. “We are always looking to recruit students that have passion for their craft and want to continue learning; we need them now more than ever, and if we can pique their interest earlier, we improve our chances of seeing them complete their training and enter the workforce after graduation. Without CREF’s grants, many schools cannot afford the equipment and supplies needed to teach their students each year.”

PCHS received a $10,000 CREF Benchmark Grant in 2021, funded by the Atlanta I-CAR Committee’s Annual Golf Tournament. Over the years, the committee has raised over $700,000 for area schools, but their recent iteration generated the most funds to-date. The committee’s efforts raised over $100,000 to support local collision repair education programs through CREF.

“This was our biggest event ever!” Atlanta I-CAR Committee Chair Gerry Poirier divulges. “We sold out with 214 golfers, thanks to high involvement from all segments of the industry and the wonderful job our golf committee does. We have a great team in a great industry, and I’m lucky to lead this group.”

Collision repair professionals from all over the country flocked to the Atlanta I-CAR Committee’s 12th Annual Golf Tournament on April 20 for a beautiful sunny day on the green. While the helicopter ball drop is always a crowd favorite, with this year’s winner receiving $2,000, raffle ticket sales offered multiple opportunities for participants to win fun prizes. For Poirier, the highlight of the event was visiting with the four local schools in attendance, which provided evidence of the impact the committee is making. “This was the first time that four schools showed up to thank everyone for participating in the golf tournament and helping raise funds that support their programs.”

Maxwell High School Instructor Sam Melaragno felt it was important to attend the golf tournament to express his appreciation for everything the Atlanta I-CAR Committee and CREF do to help him and his students since 2012. “They’ve blessed us tremendously. Between the grants, tools and equipment, I never need – or even want for – anything. Whenever I need supplies, they show up for us, enabling me to focus on teaching my kids what they need to know to get started in a shop…they make my job easy.

“These guys really care about the industry, and they work tirelessly to get things done,” Melaragno adds. “Our advisory board is also great. They’re involved and eager to support our program, and they provide input on our curriculum to help us understand how we can get our students ready for them to hire. Their input is as valuable as the support they give us financially.”

“When we support a school, we don’t just hand them money and walk away; we get involved on their advisory boards and their activities because we want to help the programs and the students succeed,” Poirier agrees. “Raising a lot of money is great, but it’s more important that those funds being used to make a difference.”

Student engagement is the best way to gauge the impact of these efforts, and according to Melaragno, “When boxes filled with paint and supplies show up, the adult-sized high school kids get excited like it is Christmas morning. They can’t wait to see what’s inside, and they know that each delivery is just another way that the industry is investing in them and their futures. They notice how much these auto body professionals show up for them, and they recognize how much they’re needed in this industry.”

The Atlanta I-CAR Committee also wants to ensure that students are financially able to pursue their collision careers, so they recently awarded scholarships to two Maxwell High School students through CREF. Marinelly Santiago and Abale Haylay will each receive a $3,000 scholarship to use toward tuition, books and tools as they further their educational pursuits.

“This is an amazing industry, but we have to attract more young people,” Poirier insists. “Learning to fix cars can open so many doors to a great career, so we do what we can to get good people interested, educated and employed. CREF is doing a great job raising awareness with efforts like Operative Talent, but they can’t do it without our help. Industry professionals need to support CREF because you’re busy and can’t do it all – and that’s exactly why you need to support the Foundation!

“CREF is the industry’s voice for attracting good talent,” he continues. “As a shop owner, you don’t have time to go to the American School Counselor Association Conference to improve the industry’s image. You don’t have the resources to coordinate career fairs around the country. And while you’re hopefully invested enough in our industry’s future to sit on a local school’s advisory board, the Foundation engages with hundreds of schools and thousands of students each year on a national level – for all of us! Supporting CREF and your local schools is a really important ways we can all make a difference in our industry’s future.”

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.

Follow us on social media on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

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

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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.

Follow us on social media on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

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

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Over $130,000 in Funds Raised by Twelve I-CAR Committees Benefit 41 Schools Through the Collision Repair Education Foundation

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

The Collision Repair Education Foundation is excited to announce that 41 secondary and post-secondary schools in the United States will benefit from Benchmark grants funded through the efforts of twelve devoted I-CAR Committees. A variety of fundraising methods were employed, generating $131,250 in funds that will aid the industry’s future generation in becoming prepared for a career in collision repair. Eligibility for these awards was achieved by applying for the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s 2021 Collision School Career Readiness Benchmark Grant.  

“In 2021, our I-CAR field team worked with CREF to develop a more strategic, disciplined approach to reach out and support more schools. This new approach gave our committees better insight and understanding of the Benchmark Grant process and its requirements. With this collaborative effort and data collection, we were better equipped to track and support the process and provide additional help to the schools for a better opportunity to receive additional funding,” stated Terry Ticel, I-CAR Director, Field Sales. “The fundraisers were determined by each of the participating committees and supported by their members and the CREF staff. These committees did an outstanding job in the support of their schools, giving them an additional financial infusion to fortify their programs to better educate and prepare their students for a career in the collision industry.” 

“The funding raised by these local volunteer I-CAR committees for their local collision programs is crucial for these programs to afford the needed tools, equipment, and supplies which their budgets don’t always allow for,” Brandon Eckenrode, Managing Director of the Foundation, shared. “Thank you to all the committees who have been active at the local level organizing these fundraisers with CREF! The local collision students seeing and meeting the industry members in their market is essential to keeping the students motivated to stay within the industry. We look forward to collaborating with even more I-CAR committees in 2022.” 

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. 

The twelve I-CAR Committees and the grants they bestowed include: 

Atlanta I-CAR Committee 

  • Athens Technical College (Athens, GA): $3,500 
  • Chattahoochee Technical College (Jasper, GA): $9,000 
  • Etowah High School (Woodstock, GA): $12,500 
  • Maxwell High School of Technology (Lawrenceville, GA): $3,000 
  • North Georgia Technical College (Clarkesville, GA): $5,000 
  • Paulding County High School (Dallas, GA): $10,000 

 

Arizona I-CAR Committee: 

  • East Valley Institute of Technology (Mesa, AZ): $2,500 
  • Gateway Community College – Central City Campus (Phoenix, AZ): $2,500 
  • West-MEC (Phoenix, AZ): $2,500 

 

Broward County I-CAR Committee: 

  • Sheridan Technical College (Hollywood, FL): $500 

 

Columbus Collision Education Group 

  • EHOVE Career Center (Milan, OH): $500 
  • Fort Hayes Career Center (Columbus, OH): $500 
  • Miami Valley Career Center (Englewood, OH): $500 
  • Waite High School (Toledo, OH): $500 
  • Washington County Career Center (Marietta, OH): $500 

 

Greater Philadelphia I-CAR Committee 

  • Berks Career & Technology Center (Oley, PA): $2,000 
  • Central Montco Technical High School (Plymouth Meeting, PA): $2,500 
  • Eastern Center for Arts & Technology (Willow Grove, PA): $4,000 
  • Forbes Road Career & Technology Center (Monroeville, PA): $3,000 
  • Lebanon County Career & Technology Center (Lebanon, PA): $500 
  • Middlesex County Vocational & Technical Schools (Piscataway, NJ): $1,250 
  • Northern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center (New Kensington, PA): $4,000 
  • Rosedale Technical College (Pittsburgh, PA): $2,250 
  • Salem County Career & Technical High School (Woodstown, NJ): $1,250 

 

Indianapolis I-CAR Committee 

  • Prosser Career Education Center (New Albany, IN): $2,500 
  • Walker Career Center (Indianapolis, IN): $2,500 

 

Knoxville I-CAR Committee 

  • TCAT (Knoxville, TN): $2,000 
  • TCAT (Morristown, TN): $2,000 
  • Greene Technical Center (Greeneville, TN): $1,000 

 

Minnesota State I-CAR Committee 

  • Hennepin Technical College (Eden Prairie, MN): $1,000 
  • Minnesota State College Southeast (Winona, MN): $1,000 
  • South Central College (North Mankato, MN): $1,000 

 

Nashville I-CAR Committee 

  • Lincoln College of Technology (Nashville, TN): $5,000 
  • Northwest High School (Clarksville, TN): $4,500 

Northern Virginia I-CAR Committee 

  • Dowell J. Howard Center (Winchester, VA): $5,000 
  • Monroe Advanced Technical Academy (Leesburg, VA): $5,000 
  • Tidewater Community College (Chesapeake, VA): $3,000 

 

Southern NJ I-CAR Committee 

  • Middlesex County Vocational & Technical Schools (Piscataway, NJ): $4,000 
  • Salem County Career & Technical High School (Woodstown, NJ): $7,000 

 

St. Louis I-CAR Committee 

  • Lewis and Clark Career Center (St. Charles, MO): $3,500 
  • North Technical High School (Florissant, MO): $3,500 
  • South Technical High School (Sunset Hills, MO): $3,500 

 

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.