3M Hire Our Heroes Paint Scheme for Bristol to Honor Veterans, Drive Awareness of Opportunities for Military Members in the Collision Industry
ST. PAUL, Minn., (August 13, 2014) – At the NASCAR Sprint Cup race night race at Bristol, NASCAR star Greg Biffle will be driving a No. 16 3M Ford Fusion with a strong force behind it – the power of the 3M Hire Our Heroes program.
Biffle’s No. 16 3M Hire Our Heroes Ford Fusion will feature a paint scheme created by legendary car designer Chip Foose to honor the veterans recognized through the 3M Hire Our Heroes program in 2014. To date, some 55 military members and their families have received tool grants and scholarships through the program, totaling some $250,000. It is the second year that the 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division has led the 3M Hire Our Heroes program and run a special paint scheme with Chip Foose.
Biffle has one pole, six top-five finishes and has led 438 laps at the Bristol bullring. Currently, Biffle is in 12th in the Chase for the Sprint Cup after Watkins Glen.
For the Bristol race, Biffle’s hood design reflects the transition of a soldier in camouflage to a collision industry professional. The camouflage is peeling away to showcase the stars and stripes underneath. On the hood, a saluting soldier is flanked by two auto body repairers – a painter and a welder.
“It’s an honor to drive a car that recognizes the many contributions of our country’s military members while they were on active duty, and also support a program that enables them to learn new skills that translate to careers in the collision industry now that they are back home,” said Biffle. “And, it’s incredible to race a car with a paint scheme designed by Chip Foose – one of my automotive heroes.”
Foose said the program is tremendous in building awareness of opportunities in the collision industry, and recognizing those who have served.
“For the August Bristol race, I was lucky to be able to design the 3M Hire Our Heroes Ford Fusion,” said Foose. “The design was inspired by the fact that every soldier wears the camouflage uniform, but underneath that uniform is the heart of an American. The car recognizes that – and as the camo is being torn off, it exposes the red, white and blue. We’re proud of the 3M Hire Our Heroes tool grant recipients and look forward to having them become members of the collision repair industry.”
3M recognizes the need for qualified technicians in the collision repair industry and has created an opportunity to help returning veterans and their families who have chosen to pursue careers in the collision repair industry. The 3M Hire Our Heroes campaign raised funds throughout the year to help offset the costs of tuition, books, tools and equipment for returning veterans and their families.
Since the program was launched in late 2012, nearly 115 grant winners, including military members and family members of veterans, were selected from applicants all across the United States. Each recipient received a financial grant to purchase tools and equipment needed to start their career in collision repair.
3M partnered with the Collision Repair Education Foundation to award and administer the grants for these deserving applicants. The grants from 3M Hire Our Heroes total some $500,000.
For a complete list of winners visit www.3MCollision.com/hire-our-heroes.
Ultimately the 3M Hire Our Heroes campaign is supporting the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in raising awareness for hiring America’s heroes and helping drive employment in the collision repair industry for these deserving veterans and their families. 3M is proud to have the honor of being a national board member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Hiring Our Heroes program.
For more information visit www.3MCollision.com/hire-our-heroes.
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