Recycled Rides: Creating Transportation for those Who Need It Most
Recycled Rides® is a nationwide community service project whereby members of the National Auto Body Council (NABC) repair and donate recycled vehicles to families and service organizations in need, in their own communities. A green program highlighting vehicle and parts recycling, Recycled Rides recruits collision repairers, insurers, paint suppliers, parts vendors and others, to contribute in their own, yet synergistic ways.
Founded in 2007, and rapidly expanding each year, NABC’s Recycled Rides program utilizes the expertise and finely honed skills of the inter-industry for the benefit of those who most need the support.
Recycled Rides is local in approach. Once a shop in a specific area has been identified as a Recycled Rides participant, the program works with charities in specific geographic areas to find qualified recipients—perhaps a family challenged to remain independent or a veterans’ association in need of reliable transportation, or a social service agency assisting the working poor. The NABC member shop in the area then begins working with the charity, in concert with the other inter-industry partners.
The culmination of the almost year-long effort is the annual Recycled Rides Ride-Away Day, the vehicle gifting event traditionally held the Monday before Thanksgiving, during which the great majority of completed vehicles are presented simultaneously across the country, each wrapped in a big green bow.
Often these events occur at the participating collision repair shop. In addition, there are large presentations during the November industry events in Las Vegas, as well as in various cities around the country where multiple NABC member shops come together and help multiple families in their communities. These events can provide valuable media coverage that strongly reinforces the industry’s enhanced image and raises community awareness of involved repairers.
Benefits to vehicle recipients are potentially life-changing in some cases, and explain why donating participants achieve a deep sense of fulfillment through their involvement. From that perspective, it is only natural that Recycled Rides’ popularity has translated into a more general level of support for NABC.
Conversely, repair facilities, their staff, vendors, insurers, and everyone involved gains tremendous satisfaction and a deep sense of appreciation for the opportunity to participate in the act of charity. Participants have indicated the event helps strengthen their companies’ values and emphasis on team work.
NABC helps shops across the country deliver Recycled Rides programs in their individual communities, with a structure that includes a handbook with step-by-step instructions on what it takes to put on a program, including the best ways to ensure local media exposure.
Vision Statement: Automotive Collision Repair is recognized as a valued and respected industry.
Mission Statement: Identify, develop, and implement initiatives that promote a positive image of the industry.
Recycled Rides helps bring those words to life.