At the age of 26, Mel Donenfeld (pictured above with sons Eric, left, and Cory, right) opened Northwest Auto Body in 1978. The business provides major auto body collision repair and towing service in the northern Idaho region, and is Gold Class certified by I-CAR - an international organization which promotes the highest level of technical skill in the collision industry. Northwest Auto Body is a participant in the Sandpoint High School auto body program, providing opportunities for local students to learn the business and the industry. In fact, Northwest Auto Body has employees who started in the SHS program and stayed. One of those employees is Vinny, a 20-year employee. Northwest Auto Body has deep ties to the region, and cares about the community.