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Press
Releases
KATRINA RELOCATION EFFORT BEGINS
(Richmond, VA) On Friday,
September 2nd, a conference call was set up to discuss the
assistance options for those ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.
“Over a hundred people from all facets of the industry were on
or tried to get on the call,” stated Chuck Sulkala, Executive
Director of the National Auto Body Council (NABC). “The result
of the call is that NABC will spearhead an effort to relocate
ANYONE in the collision industry who has either been displaced
or who now finds that he or she doesn’t have a job.
“It’s important to note that the objective is not simply
moving people from one location to another. The goal is to
help our people with no home or job to start rebuilding their
lives, to get back to functioning as families, with a job,
basic work tools, housing, transportation and kids back in
school.
The Collision Industry Foundation (CIF) has set up a special
account for relief aid contributions. The Automotive Service
Association has a blog web site at www.asashop.org that will
be used for general information, discussion and comments.
They, along with the Society of Collision Repair Specialists
and the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers are asking
their state and local affiliate associations for help finding
a home and a job for industry members in need. We are in the
process of setting up a specific website to record and enter
all the information from those who can hire a displaced
family. “This is not just a person we are hiring, it is a
family we are taking in and helping to get back on their
feet,” stressed Sulkala.
We are asking prospective employers to assist or work on local
donations to help with, housing, transportation, clothing,
furniture, relocation costs etc, etc. However, this should not
stop someone from helping especially IF THEY HAVE A JOB
OPENING. If need be, the Collision Industry Foundation will
step in to provide additional assistance, but the less they
need to spend on one family, the more they will have left that
can be spent on other families in need.
We have committees in place to focus on relocation to new
areas, tool replacement, fundraising and communication.
Additionally, insurers and their CAT teams are being asked to
pass the word in those effected areas. The Salvation Army and
Red Cross are being advised as well. “By helping our own,”
Sulkala said, “we can free up their resources so they can help
others.”
Tuesday September 6, 2005 we will again have a National
Conference Call just as we did last Friday, September 1st.
This call will let everyone know what has been decided to-date
as well as to answer any questions. In addition, that
afternoon the committees will also have calls. If you are just
interested in knowing what is going on, we will report that
information to the industry,. We would ask that you please
leave the call free for those actively working in a committee.
They have work to do, and limited time to do it. The
Fundraising Committee, headed by Doug Webb, will meet at 1 pm
Eastern time. The Relocation Committee, headed by Michael
Quinn, focusing on jobs, housing, transportation, etc., will
meet at 2 pm Eastern time. The Committee to find and locate
those in need will meet at 3:00PM. All calls will take place
on 641-985-8000, passcode 846433. If you intend to be on the
call, please be on time.
The Collision Industry Foundation, an IRS approved Charitable
Foundation is charged with collecting and distributing these
funds. All funds earmarked for Katrina Relief will be used
only for that purpose. In addition, Doug Webb, Chairman of the
Collision Industry Foundation has announced that the ‘Hop on
the Bus’ raffle, being conducted by NABC and chaired by Karen
Fierst, will be increasing the number of tickets sold in order
to provide additional revenue for assistance.
Tax deductible contributions can be sent to: Collision
Industry Foundation – Katrina Fund, Collision Industry
Foundation, PO BOX 3007, Mechanicsville VA 23116. In addition,
the Foundation will also be able to take credit card donations
online within the week at the Foundation website
www.collisionindustryfoundation.org
“As you can see, things are happening. Perhaps not as fast as
we might like, but an event of this magnitude has never
occurred before. One thing is for sure, we will NEVER allow
our industry to be unprepared to take care of our own again.
“This industry-wide effort once again demonstrates our
industry’s generosity,” concluded Sulkala. “We are doing more
than providing money. We are providing a future. As I said in
another message, people in our industry have lost their homes;
many have lost their jobs; perhaps a few have even lost their
lives. We cannot let those who remain lose hope.”
For more information on this press release, or other topics,
please contact our office toll-free at 888-66-PRIDE or email
to
info@autobodycouncil.org. Our website address is:
http://www.autobodycouncil.org.
Press
Releases
Corporate Sponsors Ignite
Industry Raffle for Camp Bus; Daytona 500 Package Up for Grabs
Camp Mak-A-Dream needs a bus, and two lucky raffle ticket
winners will get to see some very fast cars, as the collision
industry once again steps on the gas to serve those in need.
The new bus is for the children and young adults with active
cancer attending Camp Mak-A-Dream, a long-standing beneficiary
of the generosity of the collision industry. The bus will need
to be specially equipped and cost into the six-figure range.
Corporate sponsors have jump-started the effort, which
officially began July 1, 2005. Organizers hope the effort
continues to pick up speed at the upcoming CIC and I-CAR
meetings in Scottsdale, AZ next week.
“I want to thank our corporate sponsors who have shown their
commitment to this project. These leaders realize projects
such as this enable us to work together to feel good about who
we are, what we do, and give back to the community at large,”
said Karen Fierst, Project Chairman.
The effort is endorsed by the National Auto Body Council (NABC)
and is one of various fundraisers administered by the
Collision Industry Foundation (CIF).
“This industry has always come up big,” said Chuck Sulkala,
Executive Director of the NABC. “This time, however, we are
going to reward some winners with some really nice prizes.
Besides the NASCAR event, we have six runner-up prizes worth
$2000 each, and prizes for the sellers of winning tickets,” he
said.
Tickets for the Hop on the Bus Campaign are $10.00 each and
can be purchased in Scottsdale next week or by calling the CIF
office at 888-66-PRIDE. Books of tickets are also available.
The drawing will be held in Las Vegas at NACE, where the bus
will be on display. The deadline is October 15. Official rules
can be viewed online at www.collisionindustryfoundation.org
“Our goal is to raise at least $250,000,” said Doug Webb,
President of CIF. “That way, we cover our prize costs, the
costs of the bus and have some left over for other CIF
projects that are coming up,” he said.
Corporate sponsors as of July 20 include 3M, BASF, DuPont,
Pacific Auto Company, Keystone, CSi Complete, Motor
Information Systems, Universal Underwriters and Veng USA.
Additionally, CARSTAR, Florida Automotive Industry Association
(FAIA) and Sports and Imports have bought multiple books of
tickets. Keystone has adopted this as a major project and will
be selling tickets to their work force and customers.
 COLLISION
INDUSTRY FOUNDATION TO RAISE FUNDS FOR
CAMP MAK-A-DREAM BUS
(Richmond, VA) The Collision Industry Foundation (CIF) is
committed to purchasing a new bus for Camp Mak-A-Dream. The
action was approved during the Foundation’s Board meeting in
Charlotte, NC.
“Two years ago NABC, through the Collision Industry
Foundation, raised $500,000 to help fund a health center at
the Camp,” said Chuck Sulkala, Executive Director of the
National Auto Body Council (NABC). “Since then, we’ve kept an
eye on the Camp’s ‘Wish List’. Acquiring a new bus to
transport the children was one of the highest priorities.
“Children attending the camp are undergoing active cancer
treatment,” Sulkala continued. “So the bus must undergo some
modifications. Making it wheelchair accessible is one example.
We estimate the total cost of the bus will in the $100,000
neighborhood. NABC most certainly supports the Foundation’s
goal because it supports the NABC mission of improving the
Industry’s image.”
To raise the money, CIF, with the support of NABC will be
conducting a drawing. Drawing tickets will cost $10 each.
Winning tickets will be announced at NACE. The Grand Prize is
a trip for two to the 2006 NASCAR Daytona 500 including race
tickets, hospitality tent tickets, airfare and lodging.
There will be six runner-up prizes of $2000 gift certificates
to stores such as Circuit City and Best Buy, as well as
certificates that can be used for air travel on American,
United and Delta airlines. Additionally, the individuals
selling the winning tickets are eligible for $1000 gift
certificates.
“I need to offer special thanks to two people,” stated Sulkala.
“In order to get this project underway, we needed to make a
good-faith down payment on the bus. Marco Grossi of Collision
Craftsmen in Detroit has regularly held a dinner dance to
raise money for the Camp. This year he donated 100% of the
proceeds for this effort.
“Toby Chess from California conducted an educational seminar
with ICAR and BMW. And he turned it into a fundraising
activity which resulted in his, as well as Marco’s activity
being able to make that down payment. Because of the good work
of those two individuals, all systems are go.”
“The bus will be on display at NACE,” said Doug Webb, CIF
Chairman. “That way, people who contributed to the cause will
get to see the results of those contributions. At the end of
NACE, the bus will be delivered to the Camp in Montana.”
For more information on this effort, or other information
about the Collision Industry Foundation, please contact the
NABC office at 888-66-PRIDE or visit the Foundation website
for more details at: http://www.collisionindustryfoundation.org.
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