Five families received refurbished vehicles Oct. 8 through the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides program. The event was held in the Omni Hotel parking lot in downtown Dallas on a beautiful, sunny fall day, as part of the 2024 Driven Brands Conference.
Among the recipients were the Harvey family, whose story illustrates the profound impact these donations can have.
The Harveys’ 5-year-old son, Xander, suffers from cystic fibrosis, requiring regular medical care. The family struggled with a gas-guzzling old Lincoln Navigator that often broke down, making getting Xander to his vital doctor appointments difficult. With mounting repair costs and fuel expenses, they felt discouraged.
Thankfully, a social worker referred them to the NABC Recycled Rides program. After overcoming several hurdles, their application was approved, and they were selected out of 500 applicants.
“When I received the title in the mail, I was in tears,” said Tiffany Harvey, Xander’s mother. “My son asked why I was crying, and I told him they were happy tears.”
For this event, NABC partnered with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a key charity in this year’s presentation, along with United Way and Genesis. Since its inception in 1955, the CF Foundation has transformed cystic fibrosis treatment into one of modern medicine's most inspiring success stories. Its work continues to drive research, support drug development and provide specialized care to extend and improve the lives of those living with CF.
Alicia Taylor.
Alicia Taylor, a hardworking volunteer at United Way, juggles two jobs and a split shift while relying on buses and borrowed rides. A reliable car is a game changer for her and her family. She took home a 2020 Kia Sportage.
Anna and her two daughters.
Anna, a survivor of domestic violence and mother of two daughters, seeks to build a stable life for her daughters. For her, transportation has been limited to public transport or ridesharing. The 2021 Hyundai Tucson she was given provides the mobility she needs to move forward.
Asked what their first stop would be in the car? “The grocery store!” Anna replied.
Teresa.
Teresa commutes up to three hours to her job 20 miles away. Despite the challenges, she remains focused on securing a safe and stable future. Teresa is grateful for her 2020 Kia Soul, as it will help her achieve her goals and ease her commute.
Natalie Wester and her husband, Jose.
Natalie Wester and her husband, Jose, struggle with the maintenance costs of their unreliable vehicle while caring for their son, Austin, who also has cystic fibrosis. Their 2020 Hyundai Elantra will significantly reduce their financial burden and improve their quality of life.
A Community Effort
This year’s event was made possible through the efforts of CARSTAR, ABRA and Fix Auto USA, who joined forces with GEICO to refurbish and donate these vehicles. A special thanks goes to CARSTAR MVP owner Frank Odeh and his team, and other contributors for filling the trunks with essentials like car seats, gift cards and gas cards. Their generosity helped ease the burden on these families, giving them a fresh start and the tools they need to thrive.
This year, NABC will give away 300 vehicles through the Recycled Rides program.
CARSTAR owner Frank Odeh and his wife, Karen, were on hand to celebrate the recipients. This was the first time Odeh and his staff refurbished vehicles for NABC, but Odeh said it wouldn’t be the last.
Leona Scott