Driven Brands highlight community efforts to support jobs, veterans
Driven Brands recently shared highlights from community outreach events hosted by two of its shops, one in North Dakota and the other in California, that included the National Auto Body Council (NABC) and fundraising efforts.
In May, Abra Minot, owned by Jeremy and Matt Buller, hosted its “Cruisin’ for a Cause Car Show,” bringing together local car enthusiasts, vendors, and community members for a day of fundraising and celebration. Proceeds from the event benefited Easterseals Goodwill ND, Inc.
Easterseals is a nonprofit that helps people with disabilities and other barriers to employment build skills, find jobs, and live more independently across North Dakota, according to a Driven Brands press release. It states that the nonprofit’s mission aligns with Abra Minot’s commitment to strengthening the local community.
A highlight of the day was a National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides vehicle gifting. During the event, Abra Minot gave a refurbished vehicle to Noah Turner, a young airman nominated by Minot Air Force Base.
Turner was the recipient of a 2015 Chevrolet Impala, a donated vehicle by Nodak Insurance and refurbished by the technicians at ABRA Autobody of Minot.
Turner has served the U.S. for almost two years, and is “a good young man with excellent potential, bolstered by the life lessons that he has learned in his time in the military,” an NABC press release states.
“As with any soldier, his time away from home has been hard,” the release states. “Turner lost his grandfather while serving, someone to whom he was very close. Being able to persevere through times like that, being away from home at such a young age, is a testament to his life and how he learns to make the best of it. His time in the Air Force has been an education, and he has become a good team member. This refurbished vehicle from the NABC Recycled Rides program will enable him to extend his education, as he plans to continue improving his life, explore continued education, and visit his home and family that he misses so very much.”
Jeremy Buller, owner of Abra Minot, said events like Cruisin’ for a Cause mean a lot to the shop because they bring the community together for something bigger than themselves.
“Being able to support a great organization like Easterseals Goodwill and give back through the Recycled Rides program makes all the hard work worth it,” he said.
Damien Reyna, Driven Brands collision group chief operations officer, added, “One of the special things about Abra is the impact we make on the community. Abra Minot is a prime example of that as they eagerly planned and executed this event. They are striving to make a change in their community in a fun and impactful way, which is exactly what Abra tries to do every day.”
In California, Fix Auto USA Lakeside, owned by Haider Lafta, participated in the MAC Tools 4th Annual Tool Expo & Customer Appreciation Car Show on June 14.
“It was a great experience to be part of such a well-organized and engaging event,” said Fix Auto Lakeside General Manager David Smrekar. “We truly enjoyed connecting with members of the community, meeting fellow automotive enthusiasts, and introducing more people to what we do. Events like this are a great way to build relationships and give back to the community that supports us.”
In addition to its on-site presence, Fix Auto Lakeside donated a gift certificate for a full automotive detail, which was featured as a raffle prize for attendees.
“Events like the MAC Tools Expo are a great example of how Fix Auto franchisees stay actively involved in their communities,” said Reyna in a press release. “By showing up, engaging with customers, and supporting local initiatives, shops like Fix Auto Lakeside continue to strengthen both their local presence and the overall Fix Auto USA network.”
Images
Featured image provided by NABC
Secondary images provided by Driven Brands