CollisionWeek

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

  • News
  • Research
  • Feature
  • Subscribe
You are here: Home / News / CREF Raises Over $100,000 to Benefit Collision Repair Students and Schools

CREF Raises Over $100,000 to Benefit Collision Repair Students and Schools

August 4, 2023 By CollisionWeek Editor

Funds raised during annual golf fundraiser will support industry education and training nationwide.

The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) announced its 21st Annual Golf Fundraiser, co-hosted by PPG Automotive Finishes, raising over $100,000 to support collision repair programs, schools and students around the country. Held on July 19 at the Hillcrest Country Club in Indianapolis, Ind., the event sold out to capacity with 144 golfers and support from over two dozen sponsors.

“Thank you to all of our sponsors, golfers, and volunteers who helped make the Foundation’s 2023 golf fundraiser such an incredible success,” CREF Executive Director Brandon Eckenrode stated. “Funds raised from this event allow CREF to continue supporting high school and college collision programs, students, and instructors across the country. We look forward to gathering everyone again in 2024 when the summer industry meetings take us to Denver!”

The winning team, from Certified Collision Group, included Bob Cornelius, Steve Widen and Stan Wassell.

Participants also had the chance to win great prizes by competing in individual hole contests. The winners included:

  • Longest Drive #2: Taylor Imel (Mirka)
  • Closest to the Pin #4: Paul Cook (GEICO)
  • Closest to the Pin #12: Gene Lopez (Seidner’s Collision Centers)
  • Longest Drive #13: Josh Perry (Chief Automotive)
  • Straightest Drive #16: Dustin Warren (AkzoNobel)

Helicopter ball drop winners included:

  • Closest to the Pin: FinishMaster Corporate Donation ($2,000 winnings)
  • Second Closest to the Pin: Cliff Black of Static Solutions ($500 winnings)
  • Third Closest to the Pin: John Eck of General Motors ($250 winnings)
  • Farthest from the Pin: Paul Folino of LKQ ($250 winnings)

All four helicopter ball drop winners graciously donated their winnings back to CREF to further support tomorrow’s collision repair professionals.

During the reception following the day of golf, attendees heard from collision professional Destiny Potter about how the Foundation helped her pursue her desired career path by eliminating her student debt in 2017.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Career and Technical Education, Collision Repair Education Foundation, Golf Outing

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 Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association Collision Repair Education Foundation Coronavirus Crash Champions Diagnostics Donations 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

  • BASF Reported to Start Process to Sell Coatings Business June 2, 2025
  • Wren’s Collision Groups Acquires Repair Facilities in Georgia and Alabama June 2, 2025
  • PGW Auto Glass Acquires 13 Dakotaland Autoglass Locations June 2, 2025
  • University of the Aftermarket Foundation Thanks Over 100 Volunteer Scholarship Reviewers June 2, 2025
  • Joe Ocello Named Executive Director AASP/NJ Mechanical Division June 2, 2025
  • Consumer Sentiment Unchanged in May May 30, 2025
  • CARSTAR Adds Collision Repair Center to Network in Billings, Montana May 30, 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