Koplin’s Adele Rivas Orchestrates Life-Changing Recycled Rides Experience
by Alana Quartuccio
One vehicle. Dozens of lives changed for the better. Countless happy tears.
October 23 was a very special day for a well-deserving Recycled Rides recipient, but the emotions extended deep throughout the many folks who played a hand in helping a mother of two receive the gift of a life-changing reliable vehicle.
It all started with the vision of Adele Rivas, owner of AASP/NJ member shop Koplin Auto Body (Elizabeth). A strong advocate for encouraging young people to pursue careers in automotive, Rivas’ outreach led to the involvement of Thomas A. Edison Career & Technical Academy’s collision repair students. These aspiring technicians refurbished a 2021 Kia Forte presented to Elyssa Pallares, a hard working member of the United Way of Greater Union County team who struggled with car troubles – often performing her own repairs on lunch breaks to make it to work and care for her sons.
Many came together to make the donation possible via the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides program including vehicle donor GEICO, the students at Thomas A. Edison Career & Technical Academy and repair partner Koplin Auto Body.
Rivas told the audience that the efforts shown that day extended far beyond the vehicle presentation. It served as proof that careers can be built through automotive. She recalled her own beginnings in the automotive world, serving coffee and learning how to do accounting work and customer service. All this led her to become owner of Koplin Auto Body.
She pointed to the wide world of opportunities that lie in the automotive industry today stressing that today’s youth should be encouraged to explore the trade of collision repair and mechanics.
“Through automotive, we could build a lot of careers for students in the community with your support. We’re starting here in Elizabeth, New Jersey but every body shop, every dealership, should pick a school that has an automotive program and team up with the instructors and their students. In every community in the state, we could develop a team of young bright professionals.”
To the vehicle recipient, Rivas said: “I hope you enjoy the vehicle because it was done with a lot of love. This vehicle is going to drive you to the future of all the dreams you want to accomplish for your family.”
“Thank you for really seeing me, for really seeing me,” Pallares expressed. “You saw me doing my best, but you also saw the car troubles, the repairs, the stress of keeping everything together. Thank you for choosing me and reminding me, I did not have to do this alone. To Adele and Koplin Auto Body, thank you for your kindness throughout this process, from the DMV to the registration to getting me back into an Uber, and [funding] six months’ worth of insurance. You have taken a terrible weight off my shoulders.”
To the students, she stated, “You have given my children a mother who can come home with one less worry. You have given me back time spent stranded, waiting and trying to find another way. Every trip to work, the grocery store, or somewhere my children need to go will be possible because of your work. Long after this ceremony, it will still make a difference in our lives.”
She also reminded them: “You have skills people need. And you’ve already used them to change someone’s life.”
“This wasn’t just another assignment; this was a real project with real purpose,” shared Joe Amabile, auto collision instructor of Thomas A. Edison Career & Technical Academy. “They had the opportunity to put their skills to work and understand what it means to be part of something bigger than themselves. What I’m most proud of isn’t just the work that went into restoring the vehicle; it was watching my students take reponsibility, work together, and realize that what they are learning in the shop can actually make a difference in someone’s life.”
Want more? Check out the November 2026 issue of New Jersey Automotive!