On Thursday, December 16, seven deserving Sonoma-area residents experienced a life-changing event – the presentation of seven vehicles to provide them independence and the ability to work and take care of their families – thanks to the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides program, along with car donor GEICO, repairer G&C Auto Body and automotive refinish coatings partner PPG. The presentation brings the total number of vehicles donated to the community by G&C Auto Body program to 212 and represents the largest single-day vehicle donation by an independent collision repair organization.
The presentation was held at the Sonoma County Event Center at the Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, CA. Participants included NABC Recycled Rides® program representatives; vehicle donor GEICO; collision repair partner G&C Auto Body, PPG and the seven deserving recipients selected by the Crozat Family Foundation, the philanthropic arm of G&C Auto Body.
“What an honor to be part of a tremendous event with an organization that provides such incredible support for the community,” said Bill Garoutte, president and CEO of the National Auto Body Council. “To gift more than 210 cars to area residents in need is an amazing milestone, and to present seven in one day by G&C Auto Body is truly remarkable.”
NABC, GEICO and G&C Auto Body hosted an exciting, emotional reveal to present seven vehicles to deserving individuals who are all local Sonoma residents. The recipients include:
Stephanie, who received a 2014 Honda Civic, is a single mom to two young children. Her partner of 15 years recently and unexpectedly passed away. Stephanie is in need of transportation to continue her journey of stabilization with her children after the loss of their father. Stephanie and her son are living in a transitional house as they actively look for a place to live. Stephanie heard about the Crozat Family Foundation and their benevolent giving from a person who recently received a vehicle through the foundation.
Sue, who was presented a 2016 Nissan Versa, has been a single mom from the time her oldest was three years old. Now, she is the matriarch of a multigenerational household that consist of herself, her two adult daughters and her grandson. Sue owns a 1996 Toyota 4 Runner with 300,000 miles and a blown head gasket and relies on her youngest daughter to drive her to work and her oldest daughter’s boyfriend to pick her up. She has been trying to save for another vehicle, but this will gift of transportation will help her be able to get to work and not rely on others.
Cheyanne was gifted a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. Cheyanne and two of her three children were living in Lake County when their house was deemed uninhabitable, and they had to leave. They also had to leave behind their older model vehicle that had stopped running. Cheyanne said that they left that house with the clothes on their backs and a few other personal items. Cheyanne will use this car to help get her and her sons to medical appointments, and to get her youngest to school.
Shannon received a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. Shannon and her three children lost the home they were renting to the wildfires in 2017. They have been living with Shannon’s parents ever since, but the home environment has become unhealthy for everyone, and she is currently looking for a new place to live. Shannon had two older, unreliable vehicles, one of which is a 2006 Chevy Tahoe with 246,000 miles and is falling apart. She is currently working one full-time job and two part-time jobs to cover their living expenses. The gift of transportation will allow her to manage her children’s schedule and get to her jobs.
Mike, who was presented a 2017 Toyota Camry, is a single dad with shared custody. Since his separation, Mike has been trying to rebuild his life while keeping up with legal fees, fighting for his share of custody of the kids, working full time and juggling the kids’ extra-curricular activities. Mike drives a used truck that he is struggling to afford. He is in need of reliable transportation so he can comfortably sell the truck he has a payment on without relying on friends and family for rides to maintain his job and his children’s quality of life.
Eva received a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. She was living a two-and-a-half hour bus ride from her work so she could be closer to her kids as they went through the reunification process. Eva has overcome her addiction and is reunifying with her children through the help of her family. Her previous vehicle was totaled by a drunk driver. Eva is also going to school to get her certificate in Wastewater Management. Now that Eva has been awarded a Section 8 voucher, she will be able to get a stable place and bring her children home. Eva is in need of transportation to continue to get to work on time, potentially go to school in person, find a place to live and to attend to her children’s needs.
Clara received a 2018 Nissan Altima. Clara, Kristopher and their three children are a blended family trying to get by with a vehicle that has been overheating and is constantly breaking down. Clara is working full time as a security guard at Graton Resort and Casino, while Kris has been staying home with their youngest son until he recovers from a recent surgery and all the follow up doctor visits are completed, and then he will get back into the work force. The new vehicle will allow them to more effectively manage family life, jobs and medical visits.
Each recipient also received six months of full vehicle coverage from GEICO along with six months of gas gift cards, six months of grocery gifts cards and $100 Target gift cards for each child to help make Christmas a little easier – all courtesy of G&C Auto Body and the Crozat Family Foundation.
NABC Recycled Rides is a unique program in which businesses representing all facets of the collision repair industry team up to repair and donate vehicles to individuals and families in need of reliable transportation. Since the inception of the NABC Recycled Rides program in 2007, members of the National Auto Body Council have donated more than 2,750 vehicles valued at more than $38 million.
Additional partners in the NABC Recycled Rides presentation include 1-800 Charity Cars.
