During the final stop of the 88th Annual Auto Value Product Expo Tour, Automotive Parts Headquarters Inc. (APH), in partnership with more than 50 manufacturers’ representatives, hosted its eighth annual chili cook-off. Donations were matched by both APH and the Bartlett family, which owns APH, pushing this year’s grand total to $203,000.
Funds raised were donated to WACOSA, a non-profit day program for adults with disabilities in central Minnesota. WACOSA provides meaningful work for more than 650 people and connects that workforce to local businesses. A check from APH was presented to WACOSA Executive Director Steve Howard in a recent ceremony.
“On behalf of all of us at WACOSA, we are incredibly honored to be the annual recipient of this incredible donation,” said Howard. “This effort, led yearly by the Bartlett family and APH, provides us with the resources to assist hundreds of individuals with barriers in their lives to make future dreams reality. APH, the Bartlett family and these amazing suppliers make up a powerful team, of which we are excited to be a part. Our successes, and the successes of those we serve, are their successes.”
“I’m amazed by the support we’ve received,” said Corey Bartlett, president and CEO of APH. “Surpassing this year’s goal of $200,000 speaks volumes about the generosity of our industry. Every dollar raised will go a long way toward advancing WACOSA’s mission. Simply put, we couldn’t be more proud of our supplier partners.”
A member of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, APH is a third-generation family-owned aftermarket auto parts distributor based in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. With its network of 124 corporate stores and 35 independent stores, APH is consistently ranked in Babcox Media’s Top 20 Super Stores ranking of aftermarket distributors. The company employs more than 1,250 team members.