Window film industry professionals combined forces in North Carolina for Xtreme Shades’ Fourth Annual Tint ‘N Toy Drive on Saturday, December 9. The event saw more than 10 industry professionals travel from various locations, dedicating their time to provide a memorable holiday season for less fortunate children.
Helping Hands
“It’s humbling knowing that people would spend time away from their families and businesses to help out,” shared Brandon ‘Hoss’ Evans and his wife, Kristina Evans, Co-Owners of Xtreme Shades in Smithfield, N.C., and Organizers for the event. “They traveled to help us accomplish something for the community.”
Xtreme Shades’ Annual Tint ‘N Toy Drive raises funds and donates toys for the U.S. Veterans Corps’ Toys For Lil Troops program. The program focuses on providing toys specifically to the children of low-income and deployed troops. The toys are dispersed to those in need throughout Johnston County, N.C., by FOB JoCo, a contributor with the U.S. Veterans Corps.
“It’s hard to believe you can get all of these businesses together when they should be competing against each other,” says Robert Jopek of FOB JoCo. “This is a great group of people who came from all over the place to accomplish one mission.”
This year, Xtreme Shades’ Annual Tint ‘N Toy Drive saw industry professionals tint 21 vehicles for the cause.
Meeting as One
Xtreme Shades’ customer Dan Wilson dropped off his 2024 Ford Mustang GT for window tint, sharing the afternoon with a unified film industry.
“They’re all here for the same reason,” Wilson says. “They consider themselves a family.”
The gathering saw the following industry professionals contribute to the cause: Cody Becker, Huper Optik’s Architectural Training Consultant and Wiz Trainer, and General Manager of Shore Tint and More in Seaford, Del.; Michael Cleary, Owner of Lumos Auto Club in Columbia, S.C.; Tony South, Owner of Precision Tint in Greenville, S.C.; Jeff Welch, Owner of Surface – Tint, Wraps, and Design in Forsyth, Ga.; Trey Williams, Lead Installer at Surface – Tint, Wraps, and Design in Forsyth, Ga.; and Mike Powell, Owner of Day-To-Night Window Tinting in Roanoke Rapids, N.C.
Other contributors within the window film space included Ryan Wilcox of Sub-Urban Tinting in Damascus, Pa.; Wagon Guy of Alpha Bros Tinting in Henderson, N.C.; Vinnie Bienvenue of AutoImage in East Brunswick, N.J.; Tabitha King, Front Desk Associate at Xtreme Shades in Smithfield, N.C.; Christian Toler, Installer at Xtreme Shades in Smithfield, N.C.; Jason Omoletski, Territory Manager at Autobahn, Huper Optik, and Edge and Founder of Tint’er Brand; Janelle Marquez, Dealer Support at Autobahn, Huper Optik, and Edge; Josh Welch, Photography and Video Production Specialist at Autobahn, Huper Optik, and Edge; and George ‘El Chingon’ Nevarez, Training Coordinator at Autobahn, Huper Opitk, and Edge.
George ‘El Chingon’ Nevarez, Training Coordinator at Autobahn, Huper Optik, and Edge
“That’s what it’s about—making sure everyone has a good Christmas,” Nevarez says. “There’s a lot of people that don’t. This year, I am going to pass out pizza and water to the homeless where I live in New Mexico.”
Cody Becker, Huper Optik’s Architectural Training Consultant and Wiz Trainer, and General Manager of Shore Tint and More in Seaford, Del.
“I’m all about giving back to the community,” Becker says. “This event is everything that I am about. Giving back is what I’m about because I know how they feel; I’ve been there.”
Wagon Guy of Alpha Bros Tinting in Henderson, N.C.
“Tinting is something I love,” Wagon Guy says. “Why not do something to help out the community with my buddy, Hoss? Christmas was never a big thing for me. It makes me happy to help kids with this cause.”
Tony South, Owner of Precision Tint in Greenville, S.C.
“Anytime I have a chance to network with other tinters, I will always do it,” South says. “I will always be there. I love the networking and camaraderie. Everyone is so open and welcoming. You can’t beat the atmosphere.”
Jeff Welch, Owner of Surface – Tint, Wraps, and Design in Forsyth, Ga.
“We’re bringing toys to the table for kids who wouldn’t have them otherwise. It’s really cool,” Jeff Welch says.
Trey Williams, Lead Installer at Surface – Tint, Wraps, and Design in Forsyth, Ga.
“This makes my heart melt,” Williams says. “It’s nice to be able to give back to people who are less fortunate than us. The world is in a [tough] place right now. Any light within this dark world is a blessing.”
Janelle Marquez, Dealer Support at Autobahn, Huper Optik, and Edge
“It’s about helping and giving to people who don’t have as much as we’re fortunate to have,” Marquez says.
Josh Welch, Photography and Video Production Specialist at Autobahn, Huper Optik, and Edge
“To see tinters come together and give back to kids, I think it’s awesome,” Josh Welch says.
Kindness Above All
In addition to widespread window film industry support, several North Carolina businesses contributed to the Tint ‘N Toy Drive. Smokey Tire BBQ provided breakfast; Devil Dog Cart provided lunch; and Outlaw Coatings LLC facilitated a raffle.
(Featured photo by Josh Welch, Photography and Video Production Specialist at Autobahn, Huper Optik, and Edge)