A happy holiday for veteran receiving vehicle from American Family Insurance and Gerber Collision & Glass as part of NABC Recycled Rides® program

A happy holiday for veteran receiving vehicle from American Family Insurance and Gerber Collision & Glass as part of NABC Recycled Rides® program

American Family Insurance and body shop Gerber Collision & Glass teamed up to provide a refurbished vehicle to a Vietnam War and retired U.S. Air Force veteran during a presentation at the December 22 UW Men's Basketball game at the Kohl Center in Madison.

This year's holiday will be a little brighter for Mark Knowlton, the recipient of the vehicle donated by American Family Insurance and refurbished by Gerber Collision & Glass as part of the National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides® program.

Through this program, American Family partners with local auto body shops to donate vehicles that have been declared a total loss, which could result from a collision, hail damage or other accident. This nationwide, nonprofit project, organized by the NABC, repairs and donates vehicles to deserving recipients.

Since 2007, the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides Program, along with their partners like American Family, has presented more than 3,500 vehicles, valued at more than $50 million to both people in need, veterans and charitable organizations.

Recipients gain from total-loss

When a car is declared a total loss, American Family pays the customer for the actual cash value of the vehicle before the loss. American Family usually takes possession of the vehicle and can sell it through a salvage vendor. With this program, rather than take the salvage proceeds, American Family donates the vehicles and a local auto body shop donates its services to repair them. Other vendors also offer parts and services. The vehicles are repaired to industry standards and meet safety requirements.

American Family and Gerber Collison & Glass worked together with a nonprofit organization to identify a deserving recipient for this gift. Recipients meet certain requirements such as need, valid driver's license and ability to insure and maintain the vehicle.

This most recent recipient was chosen in collaboration with Veterans Outreach Wisconsin, an organization that works to improve the lives of at-risk veterans households in every community in Wisconsin. Support includes food and housing assistance as well as trauma-informed programming.

Knowlton guest at UW men's basketball game

Mark was a special guest at the Wisconsin vs. Central Michigan men's basketball game on December 22 at the Kohl Center in Madison.

Mark proudly served in the U.S. Air Force and in the Vietnam War and was the recipient of Cold War and Vietnam War ribbons. He reached out to and worked diligently with Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin to navigate some difficult challenges he has faced in life. In nominating Mark, The organization's Director of Program Services Sonya Flinn noted Mark has shown motivation in making positive choices and has demonstrated his reliability and responsibility for improving his life. He has regular medical appointments at the VA Hospital in another city, which have been difficult with cab or ride-sharing being cost-prohibitive and public transportation not always available to accommodate his schedule. He also has a teenage grandson who lives some distance away; the vehicle will allow him to spend more time with him, benefitting both. Perhaps most of all, Flinn said, having a safe vehicle of his own will provide Mark with "freedom, dignity and peace of mind."

"Many of us take safe and reliable transportation for granted and have no idea of the hardship we would face without it, from getting to work and important medical and other appointments to simply being able to see friends and family," said Tim Constien, American Family chief claims officer.. "Mark served our country honorably and we're pleased to be able to help alleviate some of the added stress that comes from not having his own transportation. We know this vehicle will remove that barrier and assist in Mark's independence and restore his autonomy as he continues to take positive steps in his life."

In addition to Constien, also at the Kohl Center for the presentation was American Family Claims Director Ben Bilkey, and local agency owner Vicki Wagener. Representing Gerber Collision & Glass was David Griffin, market manager, and Holly Whitley, general manager. Sonya Flinn was also on-hand to lend support to Mark, who was extremely grateful to accept this gift.

American Family Insurance and Gerber Collision & Glass have participated in the NABC Recycled Rides program providing vehicle gifts for more than a decade and do several presentations at various American Family Insurance partner venues each year for deserving recipients.

Pictured in photo: Mark Knowlton, Tim Constien, Ben Bilkey, Vicki Wagener, Holly Whitley, David Griffin, Sonya Flinn.

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About American Family Insurance
American Family Insurance, a mutual holding company based in Madison, Wis., has been serving customers since 1927. We inspire, protect and restore dreams through our insurance products, exceptional service from our agency owners and employees, community investments and creative partnerships. American Family Insurance is the nation's 12th-largest property/casualty insurance company, ranking No. 202 on the Fortune 500 list. American Family has a current 'a+' credit rating through AM Best, and has distinction as a "Standing the Test of Time" company, which is represented by having an AM Best financial strength rating of 'A' or better for 75 years. The company sells American Family-brand products, primarily through exclusive agency owners in 19 states. American Family Insurance also includes CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance, Homesite and Main Street America Insuranceand has approximately 11,000 employees nationwide.