Car Presentation Took Place at Seminole Toyota in Sanford

Special to the Herald

 A single mother from Orlando experienced a life-changing event – the presentation of a reliable vehicle to provide her independence and the ability to support her daughter – thanks to the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides® program along with car donor GEICO and collision repair partner Seminole Toyota.

Jennel Canlas, who has a two-year-old daughter, was nominated by Jobs Partnership of Florida for the NABC Recycled Rides® program. She was overwhelmed as her vehicle -- a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe – was unveiled. It was

donated by GEICO, and beautifully refurbished by Seminole Toyota, a Berkshire Hathaway Automotive company.

Canlas completed the 12-week LifeWorks program at Jobs Partnership in May 2023. Facing unemployment and childcare challenges, her faith and resilience helped her get a full-time job at a childcare facility. At that time, Jennel was driving an older model car her family let her use. She was even able to enroll her daughter where she worked and things were looking up. Unfortunately, the car broke down beyond repair shortly after she got the job. But Canlas has a strong work ethic and is determined to gain a better life for herself and her daughter. To meet that goal, she enrolled in a training certificate program and earned a scholarship to pay for her training. Working hard and parenting her toddler daughter, she achieved her behavioral health technician certification. She has had to use rideshare resources or rely on friends for a 20-mile ride to work. Although she works full time, her income prohibits her from being able to save quickly and purchase a car. A reliable vehicle will now allow her to commute to work safely, take care of her young child and return to school to pursue her next career.

 “I remember praying for this moment, and now it is here,” said Canlas. “This gift will really help me to continue to provide for my daughter. I am so grateful to everyone involved in the gift of this amazing car!”

 GEICO, which has donated nearly 1,000 vehicles to NABC Recycled Rides® over the years, was on hand to help with the presentation. 

“We are thankful for organizations like the National Autobody Council® and Jobs Partnership for the opportunity to help our local community,” said Joseph Chandler, claims supervisor for GEICO. “We know this vehicle help will help Jennel kick start her life and open up so many opportunities.”

 The host for the event was Darren Huggins, National Collision Director for Berkshire Hathaway Automotive, and former past chairman of the NABC®.

 “At Berkshire Hathaway, we have a long history of supporting the NABC Recycled Rides® program and we have refurbished nearly 100 cars for deserving recipients,” said Huggins. “While we repair cars every day, it is special when we can refurbish one for someone in need and help them get back on the road to independence.”  

 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 National Auto Body Council® have donated more than 3,300 vehicles valued at some $47 million.

 Additional partners in the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation include Enterprise, Cars for Charity, Advanced Remarketing Services, PPG, 3M, Ben’s Paint and asTech/Repairify.