FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Melissa Marscin, Collision Repair Education Foundation Assistant Director of Grant Programs 888.722.3787, Ext. 282 [email protected] INDUSTRY INVITED TO JOIN I-CAR EDUCATION FOUNDATION FOR 2009 MAKEOVER WINNING SCHOOL RIBBON CUTTING

Hoffman Estates, IL– August 5, 2010 – Industry professionals are invited to join Steel Center Area Vocational Technical School in Jefferson Hills, PA and the I-CAR Education Foundation the afternoon of Thursday, September 9th for a ribbon cutting ceremony in celebration of the school winning the first annual Ultimate Collision Education Makeover $50,000 school grant. On display during the event will be the tools, equipment, supplies, and other items that the school obtained through the grant. The event will include presentations from school administration and I-CAR Education Foundation staff, meet and greet with students, tours of the facility, and an evening dinner reception.

The goal of the Ultimate Collision Education Makeover program is to honor a school that has been doing an outstanding job in educating students in collision repair, but is in need of financial assistance to improve their program’s teaching materials and equipment. As the winning school, Steel Center AVTS was able to select $50,000 in supplies, tools, and equipment needed specifically for their collision program, thereby making a difference in the education of the students studying collision repair.

The I-CAR Education Foundation would like to officially recognize the following industry companies who supported the 2009 Ultimate Collision Education Makeover grant program: 3M; Airgas, Inc.; ALLDATA; BASF Corporation; BECCA; CELETTE/ Elektron; Chicago Pneumatic; Chief Automotive Technologies; Col-Met; Crest Industries; DeVilbiss Automotive Refinishing; FinishMaster; Goff’s Enterprises; Gorilla Glue; I-CAR; International Epoxies & Sealers; The Lincoln Electric Company; Mac Tools; Miller Electric; Mitchell International; Motor Guard; PPG Automotive Refinishes; Sherwin Williams Automotive Refinishes; Sperian Protection; Sterling Autobody Centers; TOONA Automotive Paint & Equipment; and Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A, Inc.

I-CAR Education Foundation Executive Director Scott Kruger added, “I would like to again congratulate Steel Center AVTS and collision instructor Jim Fichera on winning the first annual Education Foundation Makeover grant. It has been an absolute pleasure working with Jim over the past several months in fulfilling his $50,000 wish list for his collision program and we are excited to join Jim in having the upgraded facility on display in September.

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5125 Trillium Blvd. ■ Hoffman Estates, IL 60192 ■ Phone 888.722.3787 ■ Fax 847.590.1215 ■ www.ed-foundation.org

I invite all industry members to join us at the school for the ribbon cutting not only to see the newly enhanced collision program, but to also meet the students whose collision education will be impacted by this grant. The Foundation looks forward to awarding another Makeover grant this fall during SEMA. It is only through the industry’s support of the Foundation that these types of grants are possible.”

Those interested in attending the ribbon cutting ceremony are asked to RSVP by contacting I-CAR Education Foundation Assistant Director of Grant Programs Melissa Marscin at [email protected].

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The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to securing donations that support philanthropic and collision repair education activities that promote and enhance career opportunities in the industry. For information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation visit us on the Internet at: www.ed-foundation.org.

5125 Trillium Blvd. ■ Hoffman Estates, IL 60192 ■ Phone 888.722.3787 ■ Fax 847.590.1215 ■ www.ed-foundation.org