National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides® program presents military veteran with vehicle from American Family Insurance and Gerber Collision & Glass

American Family Insurance and local body shop Gerber Collision & Glass teamed up to provide a deserving military veteran with a refurbished vehicle as part of the National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides® program. The vehicle was presented during a business partner program during the PGA TOUR Champions American Family Insurance Championship. 

Heather Gautsch, a former member of the Wisconsin Army National Guard and the United States Army Reserve, was presented with the vehicle. Through the NABC Recycled Rides 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. 

New life and purpose for total-loss vehicles 

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 work together with a local nonprofit to identify a recipient for this gift; in this case, RSVP of Dane County nominated Heather. Recipients meet certain requirements such as need, valid driver’s license and ability to insure and maintain the vehicle. 

NABC Recycled Rides latest recipient 

Heather enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard her senior year of high school in 2005. She was assigned to the 1158th Transportation Company in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom where she had multiple assignment details. After deployment, she worked with the Wisconsin Military Academy as a supply technician. Specialist Gautsch transferred to the United States Army Reserve and continued her duties until her medical retirement in 2015. During her service, she earned the Army Commendation Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, and the Quilt of Valor in support of her decade of service to the military. 

Heather was presented with the vehicle during a presentation as part of the American Family Insurance Championship. American Family Insurance Chief Claims Officer Tim Constien presented Heather with a ceremonial key to a completely refurbished 2025 Honda CR-V. American Family partner Copart also generously donating a $1,000 gift card to Heather for auto needs. 

Heather’s dedication to veterans extends to her career as an employment specialist with Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists, where she provides job readiness training and career training for homeless, at-risk and recently incarcerated veterans. She assists with successful job placements and helps with the transition back to civilian life and other support to veterans in need. 

“Heather has shown dedication to her country through her military service, and that dedication has continued through service to her community and support of veterans, both in her full-time employment and through volunteering,” said Tim Constien, American Family chief claims officer. “We’re honored to provide Heather with a vehicle that eliminates the worry of having safe and reliable transportation.” 

American Family Insurance and Gerber Collision & Glass are honored to partner and participate in the NABC Recycled Rides program every year. 

Photo caption (group photo above): Alex Moore, Copart senior director of account management; recipient Heather Gautsch, Cliff Harrel, American Family associate vice president of adjusting services; Katie Pharr, NABC board member; and Dennis Demaio, Gerber Collision & Glass national accounts manager.

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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 Group is the nation’s 12th-largest property/casualty insurance group, ranking No. 202 on the Fortune 500 list. The Group 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 group sells American Family-brand products, primarily through exclusive agency owners in 19 states. The American Family Insurance Group also includes CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance, Homesite and Main Street America Insurance and has approximately 11,000 employees nationwide.