In 2016, the collision industry provided more than $12 million in donations to high school and college collision school programs through the Collision Repair Education Foundation, an increase of more than 13 percent from 2015. More than $60 million has been provided since 2008 when the Education Foundation began its philanthropic focus of assisting collision school programs and students.
“In 2016, the Education Foundation made significant strides to help achieve its vision of a collision industry with a sufficient number of qualified, properly trained and immediately productive entry-level employees to meet current and future industry needs,” said Clark Plucinski, Collision Repair Education Foundation executive director. “Through the collision industry’s generous support we are able to deliver on our mission to support collision repair school programs and students to connect them with the array of careers opportunities across the industry. Working together as an industry ensures that the students graduate and are productive and efficient day one. Thank you for supporting our efforts as we are truly making a difference supporting schools and students across the country.”
The Education Foundation continues to be recognized by Charity Navigator as a four-star Charity (out of four stars total) , and returned 88 cents of every dollar donated toward supporting the school programs, instructors and students in 2016.
Stacy Bartnik, Collision Repair Education Foundation board of trustees chair from ITW Evercoat, said, “On behalf of the board of trustees, staff and the collision school programs and students we were able to support, I would like to thank our 2016 donors. We had an incredible year that saw us clearly define our vision and mission and establish 16 collision career fairs across the U.S. that were attended by more than 4,000 students interested in entering the industry. In 2017, we have already developed a statement of need, in conjunction with our industry supporters, to clearly define the steps necessary to achieve our vision. I would invite companies and individuals to join us in providing support.”
For more information, or to get involved, visit: collisioneducationfoundation.org.
