CIF to Raise Funds for Camp Mak-A-Dream Bus

The Collision Industry Foundation (CIF) is reportedly committed to purchasing a new bus for Camp Mak-A-Dream. The action was approved during the Foundation’s Board meeting in Charlotte, N.C.

“Two years ago NABC, through the Collision Industry Foundation, raised $500,000 to help fund a health center at the Camp,” said Chuck Sulkala, executive director of the National Auto Body Council (NABC). “Since then, we’ve kept an eye on the Camp’s ‘Wish List’. Acquiring a new bus to transport the children was one of the highest priorities.

“Children attending the camp are undergoing active cancer treatment,” Sulkala continued. “So the bus must undergo some modifications. Making it wheelchair accessible is one example. We estimate the total cost of the bus will in the $100,000 neighborhood. NABC most certainly supports the Foundation’s goal because it supports the NABC mission of improving the Industry’s image.”

To raise the money, CIF, with the support of NABC will be conducting a drawing. Drawing tickets will cost $10 each. Winning tickets will be announced at NACE. The Grand Prize is a trip for two to the 2006 NASCAR Daytona 500 including race tickets, hospitality tent tickets, airfare and lodging.

There will be six runner-up prizes of $2,000 gift certificates to stores such as Circuit City and Best Buy, as well as certificates that can be used for air travel on American, United and Delta airlines. Additionally, the individuals selling the winning tickets are eligible for $1,000 gift certificates.

“I need to offer special thanks to two people,” stated Sulkala. “In order to get this project underway, we needed to make a good-faith down payment on the bus. Marco Grossi of Collision Craftsmen in Detroit has regularly held a dinner dance to raise money for the Camp. This year he donated 100% of the proceeds for this effort.

“Toby Chess from California conducted an educational seminar with ICAR and BMW. And he turned it into a fundraising activity which resulted in his, as well as Marco’s activity being able to make that down payment. Because of the good work of those two individuals, all systems are go.”

“The bus will be on display at NACE,” said Doug Webb, CIF chairman. “That way, people who contributed to the cause will get to see the results of those contributions. At the end of NACE, the bus will be delivered to the Camp in Montana.”

For more information on this effort, or other information about the Collision Industry Foundation, contact the NABC office at 888-66-PRIDE or visit the Foundation Web site for more details at: http://www.collisionindustryfoundation.org.