Sponsored by Sherwin Williams, Presentation Took Place October 9 at Richard Childress Racing “Veterans Coffee” Monthly Event
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL – (October 9, 2024) – On Wednesday, October 9, a veteran in need from High Point NC, experienced a life-changing event – the presentation of a vehicle to provide him independence and the ability to take care of his family – thanks to the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides® program , Allstate, Sherwin Williams, and Maaco. The presentation is part of a monthly event where Richard Childress Racing, in partnership with the charity Veterans Bridge Home, provides breakfast for more than 250 North Carolina veterans through their program “Veterans Coffee”.
Veterans Coffee has been a core component to Richard Childress Racing for nearly a decade. Veterans Bridge Home has trusted RCR in partnering and hosting this once-a-month event to help connect veterans to resources imperative to their livelihood and well-being. What started off with around 75 veterans has expanded into approximately 800 veterans being hosted in a banquet hall. Through coffee and social connections, veterans are connected with resources that are otherwise unavailable or hard to come by.
Allstate donated the vehicle, which was refurbished at Maaco South Boulevard in Charlotte, with the help of Solutions Works and Auto Glass Now. Sherwin Williams, NABC member and sponsor of Richard Childress Racing, sponsored the event.
During the eventa 2020 Chevy Equinox was presented to Keith Bracken, Marine Corps veteran who was nominated by Veterans Bridge Homes. Bracken, a High Point resident, served in the United States Marine Corps from August 2006 to October 2015. During that time, he was a 2841, Ground Electronics Transmission Systems Maintainer and a 0916, Martial Arts Instructor. Bracken deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan, serving his nation during a time of war. Due to his commendable service, Bracken received multiple military awards including the Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Afghanistan and Iraqi Campaign Medals, and many others. Upon exiting the Marine Corps, he moved to North Carolina with his wife and three children. Unfortunately, his wife was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes shortly after their son was born and has recently passed away. Throughout he struggles, Bracken has displayed the true integrity of being a veteran, by putting others before himself and sacrificing for those he loves. He currently walks four miles a day to work to provide for his family, and relies on neighbors/friends to get his kids to school due to lack of transportation. The gift of this vehicle will allow Bracken to drive to work, and take his kids to school, as there is no bus transportation where he lives.
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 3,300 vehicles valued at some $47 million.
Additional partners in the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation include Cars for Charity, Advanced Remarketing Services, Copart, Solution Works, which provided paintless dent repair, and Auto Glass Now which provided windshield replacement.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL AUTO BODY COUNCIL®
The National Auto Body Council® is the premier organization of collision industry partners dedicated to strategic networking opportunities that positively change lives in the communities we serve. The collaborative membership of the National Auto Body Council® has gifted more than 3,300 vehicles and provided extrication opportunities for some 5,500 First Responders in communities around the country through NABC Recycled Rides®, NABC First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.™) and the NABC® Community Impact program. That effort equates to a 4:1 ROI in dollar value delivered from NABC® membership dollars. The NABC Changing and Saving Lives Foundation, a 501c3 organization, is committed to the goal of driving change for veterans, military members, first responders and families in need, while harnessing the power of the collective membership of the collision repair industry to positively impact communities where we live and work. As demand for NABC® programs like NABC Recycled Rides® and NABC F.R.E.E.™ grows, so do the needs for resources to manage these important programs. Being able to pursue grants, gifts and donations allows NABC to expand these programs to serve those in need and help communities where we live and work. For more information, visit www.NationalautoBodyCouncil.org.
