The Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. has donated $120,000 in parts to local high school and college collision school programs through the Collision Repair Education Foundation. The donations, which include bumper covers, hoods, fenders and other parts, provide students with the opportunity to practice collision repair on current model vehicle parts. As collision instructors are facing reduced budgets, these types of donations are vital for the student’s technical education.
“Our dealership groups across the country are proud to be a part of this program, as we help to prepare these students for their future, and our future as an industry,” stated Asbury’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, Michael Kearney.
Collision Repair Education Foundation Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode noted, “It has been a pleasure working with Asbury to coordinate the donation of parts from their numerous dealerships to collision school programs. Not only do these donated parts help the programs, but they also help introduce the instructors to dealership staff for future support opportunities. These introductions could also potentially lead to future employment of our students. I commend Asbury for making this a company-wide effort, and look forward to expanding the program even further in 2014.”
For additional information about Asbury, visit www.asburyauto.com. Industry members and companies interested in supporting secondary and post-secondary school’s collision programs through monetary and/or in-kind product donations should contact director of development, Brandon Eckenrode at [email protected] or 847-463-5244.