Participants in the 2014 Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) Business and Education Conference donated $45,000 to the University of the Aftermarket Foundation.
The money will be used to support the foundation’s mission of providing educational scholarships to worthy students interested in pursuing careers in the auto care industry.
“This is a proud day to be a member of AWDA,” says Tim Lee, chairman of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation. “The success of this fundraising campaign clearly demonstrates AWDA’s rock solid commitment to education. As the fountainhead of industry leadership, AWDA has been integral to the foundation since its inception. Obviously, that commitment has not been diminished over time.”
The Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Automotive Distribution Network, Federated Auto Parts, National Pronto Association and Uni-Select each made a $10 donation for every one-on-one meeting held between their member distributors and vendor partners during the conference. Other participating distributors not aligned with one of these groups also made contributions.
In addition, many participating vendor companies, led by members of AWDA’s Manufacturers’ Advisory Council (MAC), made a $25 donation per one-on-one meeting.
“This is a great start, and with more than 2,000 meetings scheduled during the AWDA conference, there is an opportunity to make an even bigger difference,” says John R. Washbish, treasurer and contributions committee chairman of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation. “By establishing this program as an annual event and encouraging full participation, AWDA can ensure that donations flow consistently into the foundation’s scholarship fund on a yearly basis.”
To learn more about scholarships funded by the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, visit http://www.automotivescholarships.com. Since 1986 the foundation has funded millions of dollars of scholarships, grants, research and ongoing educational programs to develop a strong, knowledgeable aftermarket workforce.
