As the school year gets underway, Manheim California is gearing up for the third year of its “Flip this Car” project, which enables Valley High School students in Santa Ana, California to recondition cars and auction them off. The program gives auto shop students a chance to learn real-world skills, raise money to support their auto shop program and expand their understanding of the job possibilities in the automotive industry. Manheim California developed the program with High School, Inc., a non-profit organization that helps prepare students for the 21st century workforce through education and business partnerships.
“When you can connect the best of what your organization has to offer with a need in the community, that’s where magic happens,” said Tom Wemhoff, general manager at Manheim California. “We’re thrilled to be continuing our partnership with High School, Inc. and working closely with our dealer partners to continue inspiring the next generation of the automotive workforce.”
Manheim California works with its dealer partners to secure vehicles that need significant repair, and the auto shop students recondition them before auctioning the vehicles off. The Manheim California team takes great pride in working with the students, staging each vehicle in the auction arena for weeks in advance, waiving fees, and donating the total sale price back to the school. The students eagerly watch the sale from their classroom via Simulcast and cheer when they hear that familiar “Sold!”
Wayne Hefft, Manheim’s client solutions executive who has helmed the partnership for the last two years added, “From the first time I saw the hopefulness and pride in the students’ faces as their first vehicle crossed the auction block, I knew we had something special. We’re proud of the success these students have achieved and look forward to continuing this great program.”
Since selling the first car, the team has completed the "Flip This Car" project with four cars, earning a total of $14,000. Proceeds support the auto shop program, bringing new tools and resources to the students. With the 2017-2018 school year underway, Hefft is already working closely with the school and dealer partners to secure the next vehicle.
“Our goal at High School, Inc. is to set students up for success in the workforce by enabling them to build the skills and knowledge they need,” said Program Director, Shaylin Johnson. “The unique partnership we have built with the Manheim team is exemplary of how local businesses can get involved and help drive students toward brighter futures.”
High School, Inc., was created in 2007 in Orange County, California, one of the most affluent regions in the U.S. that also has one of the poorest central areas in the country. The organization helps students to become both college and career ready, obtaining the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in today’s workplace.
