Glen-Merritt Collision ~ CSN Provides a Vehicle for a Family in Need

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Glen-Merritt Collision ~ CSN Provides a Vehicle for a Family in Need

Written by Natalie Binder

Monday, 17 December 2007

December 17 - St. Catharines, ON - What began in 2004 as a part of the Akzo Nobel Sikkens Acoat selected National Benevolence Program has flourished into much, much more.

Julio Bruno, Owner of Glen-Merritt Collision ~ CSN in St. Catharines, ON has been giving away rebuilt vehicles for four consecutive years now. But that’s not all. Since becoming involved in the initiative by Akzo Nobel when attending the company’s business performance group meeting a few years ago, the staff at Glen-Merritt have taken this act of kindness and run with it.

The program, which takes a write-off vehicle and rebuilds it for a family in need, endeavours to promote the collision repair industry while passing on goodwill – perfect for the Christmas season. Shops participating in the program have their employees work together to restore a vehicle and then team up with a local charitable organization to help them identify a family or an individual in need of a car.

Back in 2004,Glen-Merritt Collision partnered up with Gillian’s Place, a women’s shelter serving St. Catharines and North Niagara. But Julio’s generosity isn’t limited to a car giveaway once a year. “Because of the level of support in the community after the first giveaway, we decided to assist the women and the children at the women’s shelter throughout the year,” says Julio. And assist they have!

Now titled the Moving Forward project, in addition to giving away a car, Glen-Merritt Collision also raises funds to aid women and children under the care of Gillian’s Place with their transportation needs year round. Support from companies such as the Royal Bank, Starbucks, Canadian Tire, the St. Catharines Standard, and the Hub International have helped to make this possible. “In the past we’ve helped a family to attend a family funeral out of town, assisted a woman with her monthly auto insurance payments, and provided another woman with emergency car repairs,” Julio says. And the list goes on. According to Julio, “The highlight is that the car is given away. But this has grown to be so much more than just the car.”

On Wednesday, December 12, April Mansbridge was the very thankful recipient of a 2005 Pontiac Sunfire, which includes 12 months of auto insurance, one year of gas and oil changes, and a CAA membership. Additionally, she will receive hairdressing services for her family of three, and an array of Christmas gifts. “The overwhelming support from our vendors, 406 Auto Parts, Keystone Automotive, CMAX, A1 Auto parts, Treschak Enterprises, Akzo Nobel and many more inspire us to doing it again next year,” Julio says.

April arrived as winner of the car through a selection process that began at the start of November. Each year applications are circulated throughout Gillian’s Place, and all those wishing to be in the running to receive a car are required to write a letter describing how a vehicle would help move them forward. The committee then reads the applications and a winner is selected. Past recipients include Louise Mayer in 2004, Deborah Knight in 2005, and Brenda Stoner-Szucs last year.

April is confident that having a vehicle will impact her life in huge ways. “It expands where I can look for a job, and the ease in which I can get my children to daycare. I also wanted to go back to school. Now I can go back to work and pick up some classes after work without having to rely on public transportation.” In a word, April says, having a car means, “Independence.”

April expresses her sincere gratitude to Julio and Glen-Merritt. “I cannot believe that they do this – that they take the personal time to work on this. It’s fantastic! It has helped four of us so far. Keep up the good work!”

A number of other Canadian shops are participating in the 9th Annual Akzo Nobel Sikkens Acoat selected National Benevolence Program, including CARS Auto Collision ~ CSN in Burlington, ON, Collision Clinic in St John's, NF, Elite Xpress in North Vancouver, BC, FixAuto Hauteville in Sillery, QC, No. 1 Auto Body in Campbell River, BC, and Norgate Auto Body in Prince George, BC.

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