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On May 7, two deserving Topeka, KS, recipients experienced a life-changing event—the presentation of vehicles to provide them independence and the ability to work and take care of their families—thanks to the instructors and students at Washburn Tech, along with the National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides.

The presentation was held at the United Way of Greater Topeka, which selected the deserving recipients. The vehicles were provided by two private donors.

Washburn Tech program instructor Eric Showalter and his wife Sharlene were joined by Dr. Jerry Farley and Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek, also from Washburn Tech, and Bill Garoutte, president and CEO of the NABC.

The NABC Recycled Rides presentation was a milestone for Washburn Tech, marking the 29th and 30th vehicle donation for them. Washburn Tech leads the country in NABC Recycled Rides presentations among technical schools.

“What an honor to be here today to celebrate this tremendous achievement for Washburn Tech, Eric and Sharlene Showalter and their students,” said Garoutte. “For more than a decade, the team at Washburn Tech has shown an incredible commitment to the NABC Recycled Rides program, the opportunity it provides their students to learn in a hands-on setting and the enrichment of helping others in need.”

The recipients were Natalie Rodriguez and Amber Strait.

Rodriguez, who received a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox, is a soonto-be mother of two. An assistant manager at a retail store, she has relied on others for transportation. Her work shift often ends long after the bus system no longer runs, resulting in long waits until friends can come to pick her up from work.

This gift is life-changing in many ways, but likely the most important is allowing her more time at home with her soon-to-be two children instead of waiting for others to pick her up.

Strait, who received a 2006 Nissan Maxima, suffered unimaginable loss at the age of 10 and has experienced a life of ups and downs. She entered the CaRE program with the Topeka Rescue mission and began an internship with the City of Topeka. She was hired full-time by the city but was laid off after six months due to the pandemic.

She went back to the mission for a month before she found another job, one that she still holds today. She will celebrate her one-year work anniversary there next month.

“We are so proud to be able to present these two vehicles today on behalf of our Washburn Tech students and team members,” said Eric Showalter. “We began work on these two vehicles before COVID, and had to put the presentation on hold for a year until it was safe for everyone to return to work and school. That makes today even more memorable. Congratulations to our students for a terrific job on these vehicles, and congratulations to Natalie and Amber.”

“We couldn’t have wished for a better event and a better morning to come back to the good work of NABC Recycled Rides,” said Jessica Lehnherr, president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Topeka. “The driveaway is always the icing on the cake for a process that takes so many people working on the cars, collecting the applications and the toughest work of all, choosing just two recipients. Every year the students amaze us with their skills and their compassion. We are so grateful that Washburn Tech continues to include United Way of Greater Topeka in this uplifting effort.”

NABC Recycled Rides is a unique program in which businesses representing all facets of the collision repair industry team up to repair and donate vehicles to individuals and families in need of reliable transportation. Since the inception of the NABC Recycled Rides program in 2007, members of the NABC have donated more than 2,600 vehicles valued at more than $36 million.

Additional partners in the NABC Recycled Rides presentation included 1-800 Charity Cars, State Farm Insurance, Performance Tire and Wheel, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Kansas Automotive Warehouse.

Source: NABC

COVID-19 Survivor Saved by Classic Cars

by Steven Symes, Motorious

Gerald Krogmeier of Fort Madison, IA, said his long-standing love of classic cars helped pull him through a brush with death at the hands of COVID-19.

A year ago, the man was in thehospital and the outlook was grim. Doctors told his wife there was only a 10% Krogmeier would survive as he was put on a ventilator.

Thankfully, he pulled through, and credits the classic American cars he loves for motivating him through the tough times.

Like many other gearheads, Krogmeier loves to restore old cars. That passion has gotten him through ups and downs in life, and it also gave him something to look forward to as his outlook was uncertain while in the hospital.

“That’s our goal, to save old stuff from being crushed,” said Krogmeier. Like his cars, the man is a survivor. Krogmeier points out at this point in his life, all he can cling to is his love of cars and associating with others who share his deep passion. He’s certainly not the only gearhead who says the hobby has saved them from a horrible fate, and he won’t be the last.

Credit: WGEM

Even after staying in the hospital for five months and going through seven months of physical therapy, Krogmeier still has a long way to go on the path to recovery. He says his voice has never been the same. Walking unassisted isn’t possible, either, and even then the man claims to “fall over a lot.”

Doctors still aren’t sure he will ever fully recover, but Krogmeier sounds hopeful. What keeps driving him forward is the chance to show off his classic vehicles at car shows. He and his wife said they usually attend about 50 shows a year, something they hope to keep doing.

We thank Motorious for reprint permission.

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