The National Auto Body Council (NABC) said Arizona body shops and major insurers have committed to participate in NABC’s Recycled Rides project. Together they will donate five recycled vehicles to Arizona Disabled American Veterans (DAV) chapters and the Military Families Foundation.

Recycled Rides is an annual community awareness project where members of the NABC repair and donate recycled vehicles to families and service organizations in need throughout the United States. A “green” program, Recycled Rides recruits auto body shops, insurers, paint suppliers and parts vendors to contribute. Recycled Rides is scheduled to make over 100 simultaneous vehicle donations on Nov 23, 2009, the Monday before Thanksgiving, including those earmarked for the Arizona DAV project.

The idea to donate multiple vehicles to help the state’s disabled veterans originated last year when Bob Schubert, owner of Impact Auto Body in Mesa, first got involved with Recycled Rides.

Schubert got in touch with Arizona DAV Chapter No. 8 Commander Bill Wiedbusch, events progressed rapidly, and on the Monday before Thanksgiving, 2008, Wiedbusch’s chapter received a reconstructed van finished off with a patriotic “wrap” befitting the veterans it would transport.

“This project is fantastic; the van Bob and his staff donated has been very helpful to us,” says Wiedbusch. “We are grateful that other body shops have come forward this year to assist with the needs of other DAV chapters. These donations will help us transport many disabled veterans to vital medical appointments.”

Shops participating in this year’s vehicle giveaway in Arizona include Auto Body World in Phoenix, Invision Auto Body in Mesa, 911 Collision Centers in Scottsdale & Tucson, Impact Auto Body in Mesa and Select Auto Body in Phoenix.

“Recycled Rides allows all facets of the collision repair industry to utilize their talents to help those less fortunate in their communities,” says Troy Holm of Collision Services who is the Recycled Rides shop coordinator. “We are proud of these shops, the insurers who generously donated the vehicles and their dedication to serve our veterans in need.”

Chairman of the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee, Rep. Jerry Weiers (R‐West Phoenix) will host the event at the state Capitol at 2 p.m. Nov. 23, 2009, when the five vehicles, wrapped in patriotic colors, will be officially presented to DAV and Military Families Foundation.

“We want to thank Esurance, State Farm and USAA Insurance for their generous donations of vehicles to this worthwhile project,” says Bill Mayer from Insurance Auto Auctions and Recycled Rides vehicle procurement director. “This is a great tribute to our veterans from the entire collision repair industry.”

Any collision shop, insurer, vendor, parts provider, or other company interested in participating in the 2010 Recycled Rides initiative is encouraged to contact NABC’s administrative office at 1‐888‐667‐7433 (888‐66PRIDE) or e‐mail info@autobodycouncil.org. Recycled Rides’ long‐term goal is 500 simultaneous vehicle donations.