Seidner’s Collision Centers Award Car through Recycled Rides

Kylie Alexander was the recent recipient of a 2007 Hyundai Entourage presented by Seidner’s Collision Centers and the Auto Club of Southern California. Alexander was presented with the vehicle in June at the Loma Linda Seventh-day Adventist Church, with over 2,000 sharing in the live video presentation. “Today was an extraordinary day for all [who] were involved in this project,” said Steve Seidner, who is vice president of Seidner’s Collision Centers. “Anytime you can bring different entities together and create something this great, it’s just beyond words. All our employees and partners were honored to award this car to Kylie Alexander and her daughter Alana.” The car was repaired by Seidner’s employees and given as part of Seidner’s efforts to reach out to their surrounding community and lend a helping hand to those in need in various ways, according to Mike Stacy, Seidner’s director of corporate strategy. As a member of the National Auto Body Council (NABC), which repairs and donates recycled vehicles to needy families through the Recycled Rides program, Seidner’s was inspired to find someone in their community to donate to, noted Stacy. The recipient selection process was assisted by Loma Linda University Seventh-day Adventist Church after church member and Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce President Gary Nelson put Stacy into contact with the church’s outreach ministry, UReach, which helps educate and employ community families and individuals in need. After UReach Assistant Director Burt Clark provided Seidner’s with a list of five names of those who could be possible candidates, Seidner’s ultimately chose Alexander as their winning recipient. Alexander, a San Bernardino resident, spent the last six months working as an assistant manager at the Loma Linda University Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Re:Live Thrift store as part of the UReach job’s program, implemented in January of this year. “In the jobs program you complete 100 hours of volunteer work before you submit an application, which is looked over, to work as an assistant manager for six months in the thrift store,” said Alexander, who in the past has relied on public transportation to get to and from work and accomplish other daily tasks. “With a car, I no longer have to rely on public transportation, and I can go out and look for other sources of work, I can take my four-year-old daughter to her doctor’s appointments and it gives me the opportunity to take her to the places she wants to go.” Stacy also noted that hundreds of dollars in gas cards were donated, as well as car insurance. “Our individual employees donated money for one year’s insurance on the car, and AAMCO Transmissions of Upland will also provide services on the car for the next year free of cost,” said Stacy. The car will also help Alexander in her educational pursuits, as she looks to attend culinary arts school. Her goal is one day to own her own restaurant, she shared. Auto Club Claims Unit Manager Rick Lewis said, “The Auto Club is honored to work in partnership with Recycled Rides which shares our commitment to give back to the community. We admire Kylie’s resiliency and determination to get through the challenges in her life. We consider it a privilege to help our trusted partners such as Seidner’s and Recycled Rides whenever possible.” Stacy said, “Working with the Seventh Day Adventist Church and the UReach program on this project was an incredible experience. Burt Clark has a passion toward helping others that is rarely seen today.” “The generosity shown by the Auto Club and Seidner’s will hopefully lead the way for others to see the positive effects of working together and helping others,” commented Clark. “This will change Kylie’s life and enable her to reach her goals of providing a loving, safe home for her daughter and continue her educational pursuit. The grace expressed by this day is truly amazing.” Earlier this month, the Loma Linda University Seventh-day Adventist Church held a thank-you luncheon at Seidner’s Collision Centers’ Loma Linda location. Among the luncheon attendees were Steve and Rick Seidner, Seidner’s owners, Seidner’s director of corporate strategy Mike Stacy, Regional Manager Jeff Long, Center Manager Carlos Barrios and Director of Marketing Denise Walton. From UReach, Assistant Director Burt Clark, UReach Volunteer Coordinator David Hutabarat and recipient Kylie Alexander also were there. Alexander will receive her vehicle in the coming days, after paperwork is finalized.