National Car Donation Month serves as a reminder that we can give in many ways to causes we care about without writing a check. Every year in the U.S., we donate 750,000 vehicles with the most donations occurring in December.

Each December, car dealerships, celebrities, and ordinary citizens celebrate National Car Donation Month with generous donations to the causes they choose. Even those without a car to donate have a role. They participate through social media by proclaiming their favorite cause and encouraging donations from others. All month long, the observance encourages us to consider making a car donation to our favorite charities. This alternative donation is yet another way to support our favorite organizations in December and all year long, too.

So why should you take part in National Car Donation Month? Here are five good reasons:

Through tax credit, you can get back the value of your donated vehicle after donating it since your donation is 100-percent tax-deductible. Just be sure that your chosen charity works with IRS-certified 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations or is a 501(c)3 nonprofit itself.

In case you’re not aware, there are many online vehicle donation platforms that offer free vehicle removal. One of them is Goodwill Car Donations.

Most, if not all, online vehicle donation platforms have teams of professionals handling paperwork-related tasks on behalf of their donors. If you’re like most people who have little patience when it comes to processing documents, then the services provided by a donor-friendly online donation platform will surely satisfy you.

With your car no longer in your possession, you can finally bid goodbye to the financial woes it has been giving you. You can now save the money that you would have otherwise spent to pay for your car’s repair, maintenance, registration, and insurance coverage.

Whether you’re making a charitable contribution for the benefit of disabled individuals or cancer patients, one thing is for certain: Your donation will play a significant role in improving their lives. That would be something you’d be proud of.

If you have a car that you would like to donate to the Skills Center for students to use to gain additional hands-on experience, please reach out to Emily Humphrey, at emily.humphrey@onslow.k12.nc.us.

Visit our site often to see what amazing things we have going on and are planning for the future.

Mr. Whaley, tell us a little about yourself..."I got involved in the autobody industry in 1983 through a friend of mine who did it for a living. When I got my driver's license, I got a job with Triple-A Body Works in Jacksonville, cleaning the shop and washing cars after school and full time in the summer. I hadn't planned on doing this for a future career, but as time went on, some of the technicians would work with me and I eventually learned how to sand and prep a vehicle for painting. I worked there for a couple of years and after high school graduation, unsure of my career path, I took general classes at Coastal Carolina Community College for the first year. I decided to take the autobody course at Coastal, a one-year course, and my previous experience was a huge benefit to me taking this class. While taking this class, we had a guest speaker come talk to the class from Marine Chevrolet, the body shop manager, Ray Duff. I eventually got hired by Marine Chevrolet while still in Coastal and worked there for a total of 25 years. I worked at a few other shops before going full-time at my own shop. When I saw the opportunity to become the Collision & Refinishing Technology instructor here at the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center, I jumped at the chance. I have just finished my third year as an instructor and looking forward to beginning this school year. The industry has changed so much since I began my career and it's constantly changing every day. Students can leave my course with the opportunity to earn two credentials, Platinum Pro-Level I Non-Structural Repair credential and Platinum Pro-Level I Refinishing credential, through I-CAR, the industry standard for training collision repair and refinishing technicians used in all major collision shops. I also have ties to some of the local shops in the Jacksonville area. Collision repair and refinishing is not only a lucrative career, it's a very exciting and rewarding career. When you're able to take a damaged vehicle and bring it back to its pre-accident condition, it is something you can see and take pride in. Just knowing what you have accomplished and knowing your name is on it makes you want to do your very best every day."

Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology

To develop the future skilled workforce of Eastern North Carolina.

COLLISION REPAIR I focuses on non-structural repairs to automobiles. Using curriculum materials from the industry recognized I-CAR organization, students will learn about trim and hardware, material identification, steel cosmetic, straightening and plastic repair, moveable glass replacement, and bolted-on parts replacement.

The Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center is an integrated educational and employment resource that prepares students for high-value, in-demand career pathways and post-secondary options through advanced training and skill development.

COLLISION REPAIR II-NON-STRUCTURAL continues the focus on non-structural repairs to automobiles. Using curriculum materials from the industry recognized I-CAR organization; students will learn additional information about trim and hardware, material identification, steel cosmetic straightening and plastic repair, moveable glass replacement, and bolted-on parts replacement.

As a team, we support and reinforce the following values:

• Strong work ethic
• Professionalism
• Communication skills
• Adaptability
• Leadership
• Ownership
• Ability to work in teams and individually
• Goal oriented
• Innovative
• Interpersonal skills

COLLISION REPAIR II-REFINISHING focuses on refinishing automobiles. Using curriculum from the industry recognized I-CAR organization, students will learn about repairing and priming vehicles and vehicle parts; use and maintain a spray gun; mix, store, and dispose of hazardous materials; understand the corrosion protection process; sand, buff, and detail a refinished vehicle.

Our programs consist of TWO 9-week courses each semester. Students are with us for two class periods per day, either in the morning or in the afternoon. Daily attendance is imperative as each day = 2 actual classes at the Skills Center. Please reach out if you have questions about our schedule or your student's attendance.

Please contact your Career Development Coordinator (see below) for more information about HOW YOU CAN take classes HERE at the Skills Center!

The importance of communication between school and home cannot be overstated. Research shows that students with engaged families earn higher grades and test scores, adapt more quickly, attend school more regularly, have better behavior and social skills, and go on to graduate at higher rates. Parents who have an idea of what is happening in the classroom are better equipped to help their students succeed and can align learning at home with learning at school.

Linked below are the webpages for each teacher here at the Skills Center. Please feel free to communicate with your child's teacher via email or you may reach them by calling 910.989.2020. We are all in this together for the success of each student!

• Collision Refinishing & Repair Technology - Robert Whaley
• Culinary Arts & Hospitality - Jacqueline Sharpe
• Digital Design & Animation - Frank Jones
• HVAC - Terry Braddom
• Network Administration - Kari Cobb
• Nursing Fundamentals & Practicum - Kendra Hobbs
• Robotics & Engineering - Susi Price
• Welding Technology - Michael Morton

A student asked: “I really enjoyed the class you taught prior to my taking the certification examination. Do you have any tips on how I can pass it the first time?”

First of all, congratulations to your participation and enthusiasm. I believe that you will do well on the test(s) if you follow the advice below. Although I am a fairly good test taker, I have failed more than one on the first try, yet passed due to simple persistence. I suggest the same approach for you. Failure can be a great learning experience in itself.

Following are some general comments/suggestions that might be of benefit.

1. We all learn in three ways with one of them usually being dominant: Visual, Audio and Kinesthetic (hands on).

2. The classes here at the Skills Center attempt to address all three learning methodologies.

3. Be diligent in using a high lighter to flag key concepts that will probably be on the test.

4. You should have read the manuals at least two times and then reviewed the high lighted areas two more times.

5. In taking the pretest, you got an idea of the need for timing so that you do not get bogged down in a particular question. Simply mark it and return later if you have the time.

6. Since there was math you need to have a good calculator (not your phone) to input the numbers. Remember to always run the math twice and go on if you go the same answer both times.

7. Get plenty of rest and look forward to a great learning experience.

Remember that a day or two of classroom attendance does not negate your responsibility to study and prepare for the written test.

Email: Emily.Humphrey@onslow.k12.nc.us
Website: https://www.onslow.k12.nc.us/ENCRSC
Location: 261 NW Corridor Blvd, Jacksonville, NC, USA
Phone: (910) 989-2020
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ENCRegionalSkillsCenter
Twitter: @eastern_nc