CollisionWeek

Your source for the latest collision repair industry news, statistics and trend analysis.

  • News
  • Research
  • Feature
  • Subscribe
You are here: Home / News / Collision Repair Education Foundation Thanks Insurance Industry for Support of Critical Resources to Schools Impacted by COVID-19

Collision Repair Education Foundation Thanks Insurance Industry for Support of Critical Resources to Schools Impacted by COVID-19

September 15, 2020 By CollisionWeek Editor

The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) publicly thanked the insurance industry for rallying behind it during a time when raising funds is extremely difficult. Six extremely generous insurance organizations have stepped in to offer their support, donating funds that can help CREF make good on its mission of connecting the next generation of collision repairers with education and resources to help further advance the industry at large. Donations to CREF are down nearly 50 percent due to COVID-19, putting critical programs, including school grants and support, in jeopardy for 2020 and beyond.

Collision Repair Education FoundationMore information on the Foundation and how to financially support its efforts to improve the industry’s entry-level education system are available online.

“The industry has always placed a premium on education and investing in the next generation of collision repair professionals,” said Clark Plucinski, CREF Executive Director. “With so many of our own facing difficult times, we know giving can be challenging. I would like to thank the insurance community for mobilizing to support our work and humbly call on those in position to offer their support to do so. No donation is too big or too small.”

The Collision Repair Education Fund would like to thank the following insurers for their generous 2020 donations:

  • Allstate
  • Erie Insurance
  • Farmers Insurance
  • GEICO
  • Liberty Mutual Insurance
  • Nationwide
  • State Farm
  • USAA

Shane Wohlrabe, Erie Insurance VP Material Damage Claims noted, “Erie Insurance is proud to support the Collision Repair Education Foundation in their critical mission of promoting and training men and women for careers in the collision repair industry.

D. Ryan West, Claims AVP at GEICO added, “GEICO is extremely proud to work with CREF and their efforts to encourage and support men and women across the country who are looking for a chance to start a solid career with unlimited growth opportunities. The collision repair industry is a wonderful place to develop and match your skills to a service that is in great demand.”

CREF is committed to helping schools remain at the cutting-edge of the collision industry by providing both cash grants and in-kind product donations of state-of-the-art tools, equipment, and materials. Each year through generous industry support, the Foundation provides schools with access to the Ultimate Collision Education Makeover, repair information software through our Collision Repair Schools Solutions Survey, and numerous product donation opportunities.

“Our school and countless students have benefitted greatly from the support of the Collision Repair Education Foundation,” said Laura Salas, Contra Costa College (San Pablo, CA) collision instructor. “Without access to the resources they provide, we may not have much of a program at all. Those that can support CREF will receive value back in spades, as today’s aspiring collision repair professionals are smart, motivated, and ready to work. They just need the chance to keep learning.”

Industry members looking to join CREF in supporting high school and college collision programs, please contact CREF Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed foundation.org.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Allstate, Career and Technical Education, Collision Repair Education Foundation, Donations, Erie Insurance, Farmers Insurance, GEICO, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Nationwide Insurance, State Farm, USAA

Interview Sponsors

IBIS Publisher Partner

Login

Remember Me
Subscribe | Lost your Password?

Tags

AAA AASP/NJ Acquisitions Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Agreements Signed Annual Conference Auto Care Association Automotive Service Association Autonomous Vehicles Awards Axalta Coating Systems Board of Directors Boyd Group California Canada Career and Technical Education CARSTAR CCC Classic Collision Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association Collision Repair Education Foundation Coronavirus Crash Champions Diagnostics Earnings Electric Vehicles Florida I-CAR Lawsuits legislation LKQ Corporation National Auto Body Council Network Affiliations New Jersey New Vehicle Sales Non-OEM Parts Openings People PPG Industries Regulations Right to Repair Scholarships Texas United Kingdom Workforce Development

Recent Articles

  • Wholesale Used-Vehicle Prices Up in April May 8, 2025
  • Axalta Coating Systems Increases Support of Penn College May 8, 2025
  • CCC Joins AI Governance Alliance to Advance Responsible AI Across the Property-Casualty Insurance Industry May 8, 2025
  • Refinish Distributors Alliance Holds Spring Impact Performance Conference in San Diego May 8, 2025
  • Collision Repair Industry Production Down in March Compared to Last Year May 7, 2025
  • Axalta Reports First Quarter Sales of $1.26 Billion May 7, 2025
  • Ford Raising Sticker Prices on Vehicles Produced in Mexico May 7, 2025

CollisionWeek Membership

  • Login
  • Lost Password
  • Membership Details
  • Register
  • Sponsors
  • Subscription Information
  • Terms of Use for CollisionWeek

More Information

About CollisionWeek
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Event Calendar
Take the Collision Repair Business Conditions Survey

Copyright 1999-2025 - QuanDec Corporation - All Rights Reserved · Log in