As the Executive Director of ABPA, I’m always on the lookout for opportunities that align with our mission to support the collision repair industry and the professionals driving its success. Today, I want to share a message from Brandon Eckenrode, Executive Director of the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF). CREF has been a steadfast advocate for high school and college collision repair programs, ensuring the next generation of industry professionals is well-prepared and supported.
Please take a moment to read Brandon’s message below. The CREF golf fundraiser, co-hosted by PPG Automotive Refinish, is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to this critical cause while connecting with peers from across the industry.
Your involvement could make a meaningful impact.
Ed Salamy
Executive Director, ABPA
Dear ABPA Members,
I am the Executive Director of the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), the collision industry’s national 501c3 charity supports high school and college collision repair programs, students, and instructors nationwide. These high school ‘shop classes’ and technical/community colleges are teaching the future industry professionals who will be repairing out vehicles after an accident and our focuses are around attracting students to this industry, supporting the school programs/students (grants, scholarships, tools, etc), and connecting students with industry employers to help address the aging workforce in our industry, like many other technical trades. Through our incredible industry partners, we have awarded over $150 million in support to these programs since 2009, while returning 90 cents of every dollar donated back to the schools/students.
The collision industry is heading to Philadelphia this July for the annual summer meetings (Collision Industry Conference) which will be held at the Sonesta Philly downtown and CREF holds its annual golf fundraiser, co-hosted by PPG Automotive Refinish, in conjunction with those meetings. Our golf fundraiser will take place on Tuesday, July 22nd at Philmont Country Club and on page 7 of the attached CREF Partnership Package you will find additional information about the event, which typically sells out both sponsorships and registration by late spring. The event is attended by both national and local automotive collision industry member executives from insurance, dealer, rental car, body shop, tool/equipment, and other companies. Our 2024 golf fundraiser, which was held in Denver, raised over $110K, which allows us continue supporting the collision programs who are facing limiting program budgets.
If you might be interested in learning more about the event and/or signing up for a sponsorship opportunity, golfer registration (which will be opening soon), and/or have items available for donation at our raffle table, please let CREF know. Also, if you have other local contacts who you believe might be interested in participating, I would appreciate you forwarding this on to them.
Thank you in advance for your consideration of support of the CREF fundraiser as hundreds of collision industry members from across the country will be heading to Philadelphia this July.
Regards,
Brandon Eckenrode
CREF Executive Director
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