As we approach the annual ABPA convention in Nashville, please take a moment to review the following letter from CREF Managing Director, Brandon Eckenrode. ABPA members who contribute to this cause will be given special recognition in Nashville! Please note the list of schools who are seeking donations. I encourage you all to support CREF and their mission to support collision repair student programs.

Ed Salamy, Executive Director, ABPA

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With the spring school semester in full swing, the Auto Body Parts Association (ABPA) and Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) are reaching out to ABPA members and asking for their consideration to join us in supporting high school and college collision repair programs, students, and instructors.

The industry’s entry-level talent need is at a dire level and CREF is in a unique position to address this issue being the charitable organization that supports high school/college collision programs across the United States through their industry partners. These technical programs being supported by the industry showcases to the administration and decision makers on the need to keep these programs not only opened but also well-supported to meet local industry employer needs.

Collaboration Opportunity Reminders

We would like to invite ABPA members to join us in supporting the future professionals of the collision industry before the end of the year. Companies that are able to join us and participate will be recognized at the 2023 ABPA conference in Nashville, TN. Several opportunities include:

• Together with CREF, your company can help ensure that collision students in your markets look professional while in school by sponsoring brand-new Cintas student uniforms (see attached flyer). You pick which school(s) you would like to support, you determine how many students you would like to help but for $50 p/student, each will receive:

  • Cintas Technician Shirt – with your logo as a patch on the front chest.
  • Cintas work pants
  • Safety glasses
  • Disposable dust mask
  • Ear plugs

  CREF facilitates the order with Cintas, the uniforms are shipped to the sponsoring schools and we ask the instructor to coordinate a time when the sponsoring company’s staff members can visit the school and be the ones handing out these uniforms to the students and network with them.

• CREF Summer Golf Fundraiser – Tuesday, July 18th – Indianapolis – When the collision industry gathers in Indianapolis this summer, CREF will be holding their annual golf fundraiser which brings together industry members from around the country. You can participate through event sponsorship or player registration. (see attached flyer for current listing of opportunities)

• Included with this letter is a list of high school/college collision programs who requested donated parts for their collision program to help ensure their students have those to practice on this upcoming spring semester. If your company has parts available for donation that you would like to direct to a specific school on the list or you market(s) aren’t included in the school list, please contact CREF to locate additional schools.

Thank you in advance for your support consideration! If you are able to join us with these school support initiatives, please contact CREF Managing Director Brandon Eckenrode at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org or 312-231-0258.