On a chilly, windswept morning Nov. 6 on the roof of the Renaissance Hotel parking garage in Las Vegas, NV, 11 local families’ lives were changed for the better by the gift of reliable transportation, thanks to the National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides program.
The recipients, who included single parents, U.S. military veterans and a young adult who recently aged out of foster care, were recognized for their perseverance in the face of various hardships. The presentation eased one burden they all had in common -- having to rely on public transportation, rideshares or their own two feet to get to work, school, the grocery store and medical appointments.
Representatives of car donors GEICO, Allstate, Farmers, Travelers, USAA, Nationwide and Enterprise, and repair partners Caliber Collision, Crash Champions, Gerber Collision & Glass, Classic Collision, Fix Auto USA, Updated Auto Body, a member of Certified Collision Group, Car Crafters/Allard Collision, part of the OpenRoad Collision network, and Universal Motor Cars, a member of CSN Collision, were also on hand to see their hard work come together to improve others’ lives.
Also recognized during the event were Dave Adams, the “grandfather” of what is now the Recycled Rides program, and Henry Arroyo, owner of five Fix Auto stores in Southern California, who the night before had been announced the winner of the 2024 NABC Changing and Saving Lives Award.
NABC Recycled Rides Recipients Share Words of Gratitude
Joy Hoover is a consultant for Foster Kinship, a Las Vegas-area nonprofit that helps children who can’t live with their parents live with other family instead. Hoover and her family recently suffered a house fire and are struggling with an older car with high mileage. She was presented with a 2021 Hyundai Tucson, donated by GEICO and repaired by Caliber Collision.
Trina Hope Beavers, nominated by U.S. Vets, received a 2020 Hyundai Accent donated by GEICO and repaired by Crash Champions. After she lost a job opportunity that required her to move to a new state, Beavers also lost her job, car and home. In Las Vegas, she worked hard to secure a job and permanent housing, but then faced the heat as she walked or used public transportation to get to work and run errands.
Scott Sampley, left, a member of the NABC Board of Directors, and Debby Robinson, right, executive director of NABC, speak during the presentation overlooking the Las Vegas Convention Center.
“This is a very tremendous blessing,” Beavers said. “This is a great opportunity to get back up on my feet. This makes so many things in my life so much easier to do.”
Lauren Washington-Holston, a U.S. Air Force veteran, received a 2021 Kia Sportage, donated by GEICO and repaired by Classic Collision. Washington-Holston faced challenges after the pandemic, including the loss of her job and military benefits, a battle with addiction and depression, and a painful divorce, but she worked with Veterans Services and U.S. Vets to overcome them. With support from her children, Washington-Holston has stayed clean and sober, brought her family together, and created a stable environment. The donated car will provide access to better job opportunities, allow her children to participate in activities, and let her continue counseling and support meetings.
Washington-Holston said it has been a blessing to face the struggles she has, as it has allowed her to take part in the cycle of accepting help from others and then paying it forward to others in need. “I can use this car to do that,” she said.
Jasmin Parnell and her family received a 2023 Toyota RAV4, donated by Allstate and repaired by Classic Collision. The family of four was homeless after a flood ruined their previous home. After moving multiple times, Parnell was able to get a job with a major health care company, relieving the stress on her family caused by the unstable housing situation, but her car was inoperable. The donated car will further improve her family’s stability.
Parnell’s long-term goal is to start a transportation service for special needs children, inspired by her own experiences caring for her son, who has autism, and the support from Family Promise, which nominated her for the donation.
“I just want to say thank you,” Parnell said. “This will really help our family continue to strive to do our best.”
Lukas Guden, second from right, received a 2019 Nissan Rogue that will help him better care for his 4-year-old daughter.
Lukas Guden, a single father to a 4-year-old daughter, received a 2019 Nissan Rogue, donated by Allstate and repaired by Crash Champions. Guden once faced homelessness, unemployment and losing custody of his daughter. However, with dedication, focus and the help of Hopelink of Southern Nevada, he has a second chance to become self-sufficient by achieving employment and maintaining financial and housing stability.
The donation will reduce his transportation costs and improve his ability to visit his son, be more present for his daughter's school activities, and manage daily errands.
“This is awesome,” Guden said. “It’s going to help a lot.”
Serenity Rush-Khan was presented a 2019 Honda Accord, donated by Travelers Insurance and repaired by Gerber Collision & Glass. Rush-Khan, a young adult who recently aged out of foster care without support, remained positive and used grit and determination to graduate from high school, find a job, get a driver license and secure housing. She currently spends hours using public transportation to get to work, school and to visit her nine siblings. The donation from NABC Recycled Rides allows her a sense of freedom and a fresh start.
“This is a big step for me,” said Rush-Khan, who was accepting the keys to her first vehicle ever. “A whole new chapter of my life is starting now.”
Dennis Moustakas and his family were given a 2020 Mazda CX-9, donated by Farmers and repaired by Car Crafters/Allard Collision-McKellips, part of the OpenRoad Collision network. Moustakas, a seafood clerk at a local grocery store, and his wife, Melanie, have five children. When the family fell on hard times, they were without a home or a car. They came to Hopelink of Southern Nevada for support.
Transportation challenges have impacted the whole family’s daily lives, as they currently walk everywhere in the Las Vegas heat. The new SUV will enable the family to spend quality time together and attend medical appointments and visit family, and the children will benefit from safer, shorter commutes to school.
“This is a true blessing,” Moustakas said. “We are very honored. Thank you so much.”
Carlotta Phillips received a 2019 Nissan Sentra, donated by Nationwide and repaired by Universal Motor Cars. For 12 years, Phillips, a single mother of two, has balanced 12-hour night shifts at the VA hospital with raising her children and co-parenting with her ex-husband, also a member of the nonprofit Forgotten Not Gone. She was already busy when her vehicle became unreliable. Constant repairs strained her finances and caused stress, as she worried about her car failing at critical times. The new car will provide peace of mind, ease the financial burden and allow Phillips to focus on her family and supporting veterans.
“Today I stand in a moment of answered prayers,” Phillips said. “I felt forgotten, but somebody saw me. I am truly grateful.”
Alex Bernal, aka “Pops,” was presented with a 2019 Ford Edge, donated by Nationwide and repaired by Universal Motor. Bernal is a true community advocate, opening his heart and home to foster children, particularly those who have been turned away elsewhere, sitting on boards for several organizations and volunteering with nonprofits. As a father figure, mentor and big brother, he guides young men towards becoming productive community members, according to A Whole Lotta Kindness, the nonprofit that nominated Bernal for the donation.
However, without reliable transportation, Bernal has to borrow cars from friends and family to get around. Having his own transportation will enable him to continue his invaluable work with foster kids, inner city youth and more.
“I’m really good at helping people but I suck at receiving it,” Bernal said. “I had to learn to ask for help.
“Having this vehicle takes some stress off me,” he said. “Everyone who touched that vehicle -- may you also be blessed.”
Leslie Jeanos received a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu, donated by Enterprise and repaired by Fix Auto Las Vegas Spring Mountain. Jeanos, nominated by Speedway Children’s Charities, and her family have been giving back to their community as much as possible. Jeanos and her husband took guardianship for their grandchildren after their daughter passed away. They have also been foster parents for eight years. They are now caring for seven children, and one vehicle cannot accommodate all nine people. The addition of the new car will allow them to go places as a family.
“I want to be able to get my family safely to where they all need to be so we can all go together as a family,” Jeanos said.
The final presentation of the day was to Timothy White, who received a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu, donated by USAA and repaired by Updated Auto Body, part of the Certified Collision Group. White is a U.S. Army veteran, serving from June 1987 to June 1989, who was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal and a Grenade Expert badge. He is now a customer specialist for a lending company, but he faced a challenging period when his car broke down after he lost his previous job, which led to a precarious living situation. However, White was able to secure temporary housing and enroll in the U.S. Vets Workforce Program. He then secured remote work, providing a steady income despite his mobility limitations. Now, with the new vehicle, he can look forward to more job opportunities and greater commuting flexibility.
“I thank God,” White said. “I was always a believer, but recently I’ve had a few true miracles.”
Abby Andrews