Industry Roundup: Community Giving, Holiday Vehicle Donations, and Industry Recognition

The collision repair industry marked this holiday week with a focus on community giving and industry recognition. Here’s a roundup of recent announcements.

Fix Auto locations earn recognition, give back to communities

Fix Auto Kearny Mesa, owned by Bryan Wendt, has been named the Best of 2025 Kearny Mesa Award winner in the Auto Body Shop category. The recognition, certified by BusinessRate, is based on verified customer feedback from Google Reviews.

The San Diego-area shop has earned a 5-star Google rating with more than 900 reviews.

“Winning this award is incredibly meaningful because it comes directly from our customers,” Wendt said. “Our team takes great pride in delivering high-quality repairs and treating every customer with honesty and care.”

Meanwhile, Fix Auto Lakeside, managed by David Smrekar, participated in the Lakeside Spirit of Christmas event on Dec. 6, hosting a raffle featuring Bluetooth speakers, vehicle detail gift certificates, and a 50-inch Smart TV. All proceeds were donated to Skyline Church, with Fix Auto Lakeside matching the total amount raised.

“Connecting with our neighbors, spreading holiday cheer, and giving back to our community is what this season is all about,” Smrekar said.

“Fix Auto Kearny Mesa exemplifies what it means to put customers first,” said Damien Reyna, Chief Operating Officer of Collision for Driven Brands. “Their commitment to quality repairs, transparency, and exceptional service sets a high standard within the Fix Auto USA network.”

NABC Recycled Rides delivers more holiday vehicles to veterans

The National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides program continued its holiday push with three vehicle presentations to veterans in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

On Dec. 22, Mark Knowlton, a U.S. Air Force veteran, received a 2025 Honda Accord at the University of Wisconsin’s Kohl Center during a basketball game. The vehicle was donated by American Family and refurbished by Gerber Collision & Glass. Knowlton, who had been without permanent housing or a vehicle, previously worked in communications for Motorola and the Baltimore Ravens.

“It’s kind of tough being homeless without a car,” Knowlton said. “It’s kind of tough to get to appointments, to see family.”

On Dec. 18, Ben Price, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, received a 2020 Honda CR-V EX at Caliber Collision in Kenosha, Wisconsin. GEICO donated the vehicle, which was refurbished by Caliber technicians. Price plans to use the vehicle to expand his employment options and visit his mother, who is dealing with ALS.

The same day, Keith Fry, a U.S. Navy veteran, received a 2019 Honda Accord at Caliber Collision in Reading, Pennsylvania. Travelers donated the vehicle, and Caliber handled the refurbishment. Fry, his wife Jessica, and son Jordan were previously homeless and residing in an emergency shelter. Both Keith and Jessica now work at the same restaurant but previously had to walk up to six miles to get to work.

“It’s a tremendous relief just to be able to do things without having to rely on other people,” Fry said.

All three recipients were nominated by veterans service organizations. Since 2007, the NABC Recycled Rides program has donated more than 3,500 vehicles valued at approximately $51 million.

House of Kolor celebrates 70 years with 2026 calendar

House of Kolor is marking its 70th anniversary with the release of its 2026 calendar, featuring 12 custom builds painted exclusively with House of Kolor products.

The calendar includes a range of vehicles from a 1927 Roadster Drag Car (featured on the cover and in November) to a 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 painted by Ryan Evans of Count’s Kustoms in Las Vegas.

“Each and every project featured reinforces House of Kolor’s endless color range and effect, which goes beyond traditional pearls and flakes,” said Tom Smith, National Sales Manager for House of Kolor.

The full list of featured builds includes projects from across North America, with winners from Minnesota, Tennessee, Iowa, British Columbia, Nevada, California, Florida, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Ohio.

WIN extends Founding Mothers Award deadline, announces prizes

The Women’s Industry Network has extended the application deadline for its inaugural Founding Mothers Award to Feb. 2, 2026, and announced a comprehensive prize package for the recipient.

The award winner will receive up to $5,000 toward tools or equipment, a $1,000 apparel stipend, and a fully covered conference experience including airfare and lodging at WIN’s Annual Conference, May 4-6, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona.

The Founding Mothers Award honors WIN’s six founders — Frederica Carter, Geri Kottschade, Gigi Walker, Patricia Serratore, Kathy Mello, and Marcy Tieger — who established the organization 20 years ago.

“The new Founding Mothers Award is open to all women and will annually recognize an individual that is intently involved with the true craft of collision repair, as their skills need to be still active on the shop floor — either as a hands-on refinish technician and/or painter,” said Laura Kottschade, WIN Vice Chair.

Nominations are open to all women in the collision repair industry, and neither the nominator nor nominee is required to be a WIN member. Nominations can be submitted at WIN’s website.