URG supports “Recycled Ride”

The United Recyclers Group (URG) has announced support for the ‘Recycled Rides’ program, a community service initiative of the National Auto Body Council (NABC).

In Recycled Rides (www.recycledrides.org), all segments of the auto salvage and collision repair industries come together to fix up and donate working automobiles to selected families in need in cities across the nation. The goal for the 2009 program will be to refurbish 140 vehicles, all simultaneously donated to deserving families selected by local human service agencies, on November 23, 2009, the Monday before Thanksgiving.

Now in its third year, Recycled Rides began with just seven vehicles repaired and donated in the first year. But the program has experienced twenty-fold growth in just two years, a sure sign that the concept behind it is good and fills a need. According to Recycled Rides chair Michael Quinn, the long-term goal for the program is 500 vehicles donated per year, and he thinks this is doable sooner rather than later. Quinn is the co-founder and president of 911 Collision Centers located in Tucson, Arizona.

The preferred vehicle for Recycled Rides is a minivan less than eight years old with no more than 100,000 miles, and either a theft recovery or economic total. Families in need of reliable transportation are identified in partnership with local charitable organizations. Insurance companies, paint and parts vendors, and the auto salvage industry donate their resources to assist collision repair facilities in making this program possible.