The widow of a military veteran in Columbia, SC, recently experienced a life-changing event when she was presented with a fully refurbished 2019 Nissan Versa through the National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides program. This generous donation was made possible by GEICO and Better Collision Centers.
Olivia Frost, whose husband served honorably in the U.S. Army and National Guard for 10 years before passing away four years ago, had been facing significant financial strain due to the lack of personal transportation.
“This means the world to me,” Frost said, sitting in the front seat of her refurbished car. “Having to find a way to get to work and to my doctor’s appointments meant using ride shares. I was paying $200 to $300 a month just to get to work.”
Frost's story is a common one among recipients of the NABC Recycled Rides program, which aims to provide reliable transportation to individuals and families in need. Many recipients find themselves in a bind, unable to save for a vehicle because of the high costs associated with taxis and ride shares.
The program is a unique initiative that brings together businesses from all facets of the collision repair industry to repair and donate vehicles to those in need. Since its inception in 2007, the program has donated more than 3,300 vehicles valued at approximately $47 million.
"What we do with NABC Recycled Rides is the best part of my job," said Jonathan Best, CEO of Better Collision Centers. "We fix cars all day and can get caught up in that cycle, but every once in a while, we get to do something special like this to give a car to someone who really needs it."
The presentation of Frost's vehicle was made possible by the collaborative efforts of several partners, including Charleston Dent Repair, Pleasant Detail and Tint, Vaden Wholesale Parts, Clearview Auto Glass, Cars for Charity, Advanced Remarketing Services, Copart and Enterprise.
Veterans Bridge Home, a nonprofit agency that serves the needs of veterans and their families in the Carolinas, nominated Frost for the car donation.
