NORCROSS, GA — The Collision Industry Advancement Initiative (CIAI) Advisory Council members agreed in a special meeting held last week to donate $50,000 in aid toward re-equipping and re-tooling workers affected by Hurricane Katrina.
“The Collision Industry Advancement Initiative will give $50,000 toward helping the owners and employees of collision repair businesses damaged or destroyed in the catastrophe,” said CIAI Advisory Council Chair Sheila Loftus. “We urge other collision repair-related businesses to give as generously as they can to the Collision Industry Foundation, a non-profit overseer of relief funds for the industry. Indeed, we’d love to see our $50,000 matched or exceeded by other businesses. Our industry is known for its generosity. Now, more than ever, is the time to show it.”
Like so many others, technicians and shop owners have lost everything. Costly tools and equipment must be replaced. Many do not have a business or home to return to. The funds for new equipment will be used for those seeking employment elsewhere as well as those who choose to return and start over.
“Although we cannot replace everything that has been destroyed and the other intangibles like the years of hard work of shop owners, technicians and painters, we can attempt to ease the pain by providing assistance to those in our industry that have been so deeply affected,” added Tom Moreland, director of national accounts for Akzo Nobel and member of the Collision Industry Foundation Board.
The funds will be given to the Collision Industry Foundation’s (CIF) Katrina Relief Fund. CIAI advisory council members Geralynn Kottschade, Russell Thrall and Tom Moreland are presenting the $50,000 check this week to the Collision Industry Foundation in San Francisco. The CIF has established a website for giving and is tracking the needs of displaced workers. For additional information, visit collisionindustryrelief.com.
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