MECHANICSVILLE, Va. – Fifty collision repair facilities participated in the National Auto Body Council's (NABC) Recycled Rides 2008 Ride Away Day on Nov. 24 after a year's worth of efforts working with local charities to repair and donate recycled vehicles to families in need. Insurers, car rental companies, paint suppliers, parts suppliers and material vendors provided support to the nationwide program.

"I can think of no better example of the holiday spirit than that of our colleagues in all segments of the collision industry cooperating to improve the lives of those less fortunate," says NABC Executive Director Chuck Sulkala.

In addition to the vehicles given away on Ride Away Day, several others are being delivered between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

"The shopsand their staffs have been tremendous," notes Troy Holm of Collision Services and Recycled Rides shop coordinator. "I am so proud of our industry. This is truly a time for Thanksgiving."

Participating vendors, to whom NABC extends its thanks, include: 3M Corporation; Akzo Nobel; BASF; Collision Services; DuPont Performance Coatings; Fiberglass Evercoat; Greenleaf; LKQ/Keystone; QRP Recycled Parts; and Sherwin Williams.

"We thank all the vendors that participated on a national level," says Bruce Cooley from DuPont Performance Coatings and coordinator for Recycled Rides parts/materials procurement. "Next year we hope to gain even more assistance for those shops that will participate in this very worthwhile project."

In addition, NABC wishes to recognize those companies that donated vehicles to the program: 21st Century Insurance; AAA Michigan; AAA Northern California, Utah, Nevada (formerly CSAA); AIG; Allstate; California Casualty; Esurance; Farmers; GEICO; Hertz-Rent-A-Car; Liberty Mutual; Met Life Property & Casualty; State Farm; and Travelers.

"We would not have been able to move this project forward without the generous donations made by the insurers and Hertz," notes Bill Mayer of Insurance Auto Auctions, who functions as Recycled Rides director of vehicle procurement. "Vehicle donations are the starting point of this project and these companies really came through for us."

For more information go to NABC's Web site: www.autobodycouncil.org and click on the Recycled Rides icon.