Prior to opening Falcon Collision Center in 2009, co-owner Keith Merritt didn’t know anything about the Acoat(r) Selected National Benevolence Program through Akzo Nobel. Now, his shop is the only one in Colorado to participate, and they have elected to team up with Kids Crossing as their nonprofit organization.The national benevolence program was founded in the late 1990s as a way to salvage damaged but repairable vehicles that have been abandoned by their owners. Instead of wasting the vehicle, the program completely refurbishes them, using the participating body shops. The vehicle is then presented to a deserving individual or organization during the holiday season.As Falcon Collision Center’s benevolence partner this year, Kids Crossing helped choose the recipient, based on certain criteria, for the refurbished vehicle. Kids Crossing is a 501(c)3 nonprofit foster program for abused or neglected children.”It’s a total surprise for the family,” said Kids Crossing board member Michelle Merritt.”Our goal is to help a family in need and establish a sense of community,” Keith Merritt said. “We felt that this would be a great program to participate in and that it would be something we would like to do year after year. We welcome organizations to help build this car and aid with the expenses of putting it together. It is truly the community that puts these vehicles together.”This year, the Eastern Plains Insurance Agency has provided the insurance coverage for the recipient for a set amount of time. Several other local businesses have contributed parts, services and monetary donations.In the upcoming years, Falcon Collision Center would like to team up with different nonprofit organizations that would like to help make the refurbishment and presentation a possibility. This year’s presentation will take place Jan. 22 at the Falcon Collision Center.
