A Florida-based U.S. Army veteran has regained her mobility after receiving a fully refurbished 2019 Honda CR-V EX through the National Auto Body Council's Recycled Rides program.
Pacita Marks, nominated by Soldiers Angels, served 12 years in the U.S. Army and had been without reliable transportation since her previous car became unrepairable. For months, she relied on costly rideshare services for medical appointments, errands and daily needs for herself and her daughter.
“I am very grateful to everyone involved in this gift,” Marks said. “When I think about this car, it represents freedom. It’s freedom for me and my family.”
The donation was presented April 10 during United Recyclers Group’s (URG) Scholarship Foundation golf fundraiser, held as part of the URG/Team PRP training conference. The vehicle was donated by GEICO and refurbished by Crash Champions of Ocoee, FL.
GEICO, a Level One partner of the NABC, has donated more than 1,000 vehicles through the Recycled Rides program. Crash Champions, which has expanded to more than 650 I-CAR Gold Certified locations in the past decade, has refurbished nearly 250 vehicles for charitable donations.
“Our members are committed to giving back in their communities, and I’m proud to see URG join forces with GEICO, Crash Champions, Enterprise and NABC to provide this veteran and her daughter with much-needed reliable transportation,” said Don Porter, internal business/industry consultant at United Recyclers Group and chair of the Changing and Saving Lives Foundation.
NABC’s Recycled Rides program unites insurers, collision repairers, recyclers and other industry professionals to repair and donate vehicles to individuals and families in need. Since 2007, the program has donated more than 3,500 vehicles with a combined value of over $51 million.
Additional partners supporting this donation included Affordable Auto Spa, ATE, AutoZone, The Tire Brigade Inc, Holler Honda, AutoNation Honda Clearwater, Advanced Remarketing Services, Cars for Charity, Copart and Enterprise.
United Recyclers Group, a longtime NABC supporter and Level One member, continues to champion community-focused initiatives that make a direct impact on lives across the country.
