Recovery efforts were still underway after Hurricane Helene’s destructive wide swath across the southeast U.S. Less than two weeks later, the news was abuzz of reports of Hurricane Milton reaching Category 5 with predictions of it causing mass destruction once it made landfall in Florida. My thoughts turned to who I knew who could be in harm’s way, particularly those in our industry.
FenderBender monthly columnist Drew Bryant in Orlando was one, and not just because he was on deadline. I somewhat sheepishly reached out to him to see if he would still be able to turn in his column on time. Given the circumstances of the preparation I assumed he’d need for not only himself and family but for his business, my expectations were low. So, I offered to run a substitution. He replied that locals were chasing down water bottles and toilet paper, but he'd deliver his column as expected. I suggested he might even write about his experience, as other shop owners would likely find it helpful, and he took me up on that. Check it out!
Although our collision repair industry is not exactly small, it’s also still a bit of a close fraternity. And when one shop suffers, we all do. The Collision Industry Foundation (CIF) charity was established in 2001 to collect tax-deductible contributions and distribute them to collision repair professionals in the industry who have suffered losses from natural disasters or other events, including these two recent hurricanes. “We answer the call” is its trademarked slogan.
Recently, when a collision repair technician at Louisville Collision Center had a bad car wreck and missed months of work, the Foundation wrote him a $10,000 check to assist with hospital expenses. CIF donors include MSOs, major paint companies, paint distributors, parts distributors, equipment manufacturers and distributors, consultants, and individuals.
And as part of our annual FenderBender Award, presented to a collision repair shop owner or operator, we write a check to a charity of the winner’s choice. I’m pleased to share here that our winner for this year, Amber Alley, manager of Barsotti’s Body & Fender in San Rafael, California, selected CIF to receive $4,550.
You can continue CIF’s good work by making a tax-deductible donation at collisionindustryfoundation.org. Call or text CIF to 734-366-4990. And if you are a collision repair industry professional who either needs help from the recent storms or another catastrophe or knows someone who does, please contact CIF. There is a form on the site you can fill out to request assistance. CIF will be there to answer the call.
