The National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides program partnered with GEICO and collision repair companies Caliber and Crash Champions to provide life-changing transportation to three families across the U.S. on Giving Tuesday, celebrated this year on Dec. 3.
As part of the Giving Tuesday celebrations, vehicle presentations were held at GEICO corporate locations in Chevy Chase, MD, Macon, GA, and Katy, TX. Each recipient shared a story of resilience and gratitude, showing the transformative impact of receiving a refurbished vehicle.
Mary Dixon, a U.S. Navy veteran and single mother of four, was presented with a 2020 Honda Accord at GEICO’s headquarters in Chevy Chase. The vehicle, donated by GEICO and refurbished by Caliber Lexington Park, offers a new sense of freedom for Dixon and her children, who face ongoing health challenges.
“I’m really grateful for the car,” said Dixon. “It will allow me to get my youngest son to his appointments. It’s hard to Uber everywhere in this area. My kids are going to lose it with excitement for the car and the beautiful color and gifts and the car seat. It’s really amazing. I going to surprise them and pick them up from school today.”
In Macon, GA, U.S. Army soldier Marianna Henry received a 2019 Mazda 3 donated by GEICO and refurbished by Caliber - Macon. The vehicle will assist Henry as she begins her military career and moves from Fort Gregg-Adams, VA, to Fort Bliss, TX. Henry joined to follow in the footsteps of her grandfather, make a better life for herself and support her mother, who is in poor health with heart problems.
“This vehicle is a blessing for my daily life and will also allow me to help other people,” Henry said. “I am so grateful to GEICO, Caliber and the NABC.”
Retired Houston policeman Burt Jeukeng and his family were honored in Katy, TX, with the gift of a 2019 Nissan Rogue. Jeukeng, who has faced immense personal challenges, including the loss of his wife in a traffic accident, expressed gratitude for the new vehicle, which was refurbished by Crash Champions - Houston Galleria.
“I am truly blessed with the gifting of this vehicle; now I have the ability to get my children to activities and events they need to attend,” said Jeukeng. “Thank you NABC for changing my and my family’s lives!”
LaDonna Bond, who leads social impact initiatives at GEICO, emphasized the company’s commitment to the military community and those in need.
“For nearly 90 years, serving the military community has been fundamental to who we are at GEICO,” Bond said. “We’ve donated more than 100 vehicles through the NABC Recycled Rides program in 2024, with nearly half going to veterans and military families.”
The NABC Recycled Rides program brings together partners across the collision repair industry to refurbish and donate vehicles, creating lasting impacts for recipients.
“We are very proud to partner with GEICO on #GivingTuesday to present three beautiful vehicles to three deserving families,” said Debby Robinson, executive director of the NABC. “Thank you to our partners at Caliber and Crash Champions for refurbishing these vehicles, and to Enterprise and Copart for their always generous support.”
