February 2000 Editor's Page
NABC House That PRIDE Built Project Needs Your Help

The National Auto Body Council is working with the Kansas City chapter of Habitat for Humanity to build the House that PRIDE Built. An article describing the project appears on page six of this issue. The NABC is looking to enlist support, both financial and volunteer labor, for the project that begins April 1st in Kansas City.

In early January I received a letter from Chuck Sulkala, chairman of the project for NABC. I urge you to support their effort and provide Sulkala’s letter at right.

Russell Thrall III Editor

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

This is traditionally the time of year when we reflect on our past accomplishments and future goals. We evaluate the physical and the fiscal and make decisions as to how we can best support our families and communities.

Those of us in the collision repair industry know the meaning of hard work and lean times. Daily we see examples of the best and the worst around us. We know what it is to be misrepresented and misunderstood. However, in spite of that, we are among the lucky ones. We should be thankful that we are able to sustain our families and businesses, even when the going is tough.

This letter is a request to ask you to look beyond this year and contribute to a project, which we hope will become an annual event. The National Auto Body Council (NABC) is partnering with Habitat for Humanity to erect the first House that Pride Built in Kansas City, MO during the week of April 3, 2000. This coincides with a number of industry events, including Collision Concepts. For those unfamiliar with Habitat for Humanity, it is an internationally recognized 501c6 charitable organization whose goal is to provide affordable housing for the under privileged. In short, the group sponsors projects to build homes for deserving families.

NABC is organizing an inter-industry, cooperative effort to display the best of the collision industry. Not only will we provide the funds and labor to get the job done, but we will need to learn to work together as a team, regardless of the industry segment we represent. We are establishing ties to the Kansas City community, state and local collision repair associations and businesses and enhancing our industry image. Structured properly, this event will be a collective showing of good will and community support, while providing a ‘new face’ for the collision repair industry we are so proud of. What better time to accomplish this than at the beginning of a new century and millennium?

Our commitment is to raise a minimum of $50,000 for materials and provide a significant portion of the labor, which will be supervised by Habitat representatives. Habitat provides the technical guidance - the brains- we provide the labor - the brawn, as well as the support system of transportation to and from the sight, snacks and beverages, public relations focusing on a positive industry image, and whatever else is needed.

If we can collect 200 checks of $250, made out to Habitat for Humanity we can reach the basic economic commitment to get the job done. We would also encourage contributors to send an additional check of $100 to cover incidentals to support the week’s events, including public relations, and annual membership in NABC. We have already received a number of checks. However, in order for this project to succeed and benefit the community of Kansas City, Habitat for Humanity and our industry we need your support. Please be generous.

This is a request for your fiscal commitment. We will follow up with a request for your physical commitment closer to the date. Please contact me (617-522-6040) or Committee Co-Chair Karen Fierst (301-681-4383) directly if you have any questions.

On behalf of all members of NABC we wish you a happy holiday season and healthy, prosperous New Year. We look forward to working together with you to strengthen our industry and develop the professional image we deserve.

Thank you in advance for your commitment.

Best Regards,
Chuck Sulkala
Chairman
The House That Pride Built Committee. o