Sixty-seven years ago this April, the bay doors went up in the first-ever Midas car care center—in Macon, Georgia. Today, the North America-wide brand, owned by the Florida-based TBC Corporation, is one of the world’s largest auto service providers, offering brake, maintenance, tires, exhaust, steering and suspension services at more than 2,100 franchised shops in 13 countries, including nearly 1,200 in the U.S. and Canada.
To help celebrate 67 years in the business – and to give back to the communities where they operate – Midas called on its franchisees to execute 67 Acts of Kindness in the cities, towns, and suburbs in which they do business, all during Midas’ anniversary month of April. Due to an overwhelmingly positive response from Midas franchisees, more than 100 events will be happening, including blood drives, catalytic converter theft-prevention sessions, Project Spark car donations, kids’ baseball league sponsorships and more. The goal is simply to give back.
“Midas franchisees never fail to impress me,” said Lenny Valentino Jr., Midas vice president and general manager. “I asked for 67 stores to step up, and at the last count we had 110.”
“For 67 years, Midas teams have built trust by coaching customers on the best decisions for their cars, letting them know what needs fixing now and what can wait—and then following through with fast, friendly, efficient service,” he added. “We take great pride in making sure our franchisees’ customers’ vehicles are reliable, fully serviced and safe while they are on the road—and we are equally proud of Midas’ long-standing commitment to the community.”
In recent years, Midas has pioneered the safe use of car seats through Project Safe Baby, assisted the military through Operation Support Our Troops, and worked with food banks across North America to help Drive Out Hunger. In addition, Midas franchisees have given 60+ families in need the gift of reliable transportation through Project Spark. Activities celebrating Midas’ 67th anniversary in April include:
● Richmond, VA—Mark Smith is donating a 3-D printer to Goochland Cares, a non-profit that provides dental care to Richmond residents of limited means. (The charity will use the printer to create dentures). He also will donate 67 gallons of milk to local food pantries each week in April.
● Fort Smith, AR—Mark Kincannon and Michael Bolton will be helping local youth by sponsoring baseball teams, as well as orchestrating a food drive in conjunction with River Valley Food Bank.
● Carlisle, PA—Nikki Ondek is teaming up with her local police department to provide certified trainers to do car seat checks and to help assure that seats are installed properly. She also will have child car seats available for those who cannot afford them.
● Annapolis, MD—Robin Mohns will be holding a banquet to benefit The Chris Gives Foundation, which she established in memory of her late husband, Chris, who often offered free car service to local people in need. The foundation aims to help those who can’t afford car repairs.
● Vancouver, Washington–Willy Vielmann will be hosting a catalytic converter theft-prevention event at his Vancouver, Washington, shop April 30, partnering with the Sheriff’s department.
● Minneapolis, MN–Owners of 21 stores throughout the Twin Cities and beyond will conduct a region-wide food drive with Keystone Community Service from April 10-29. For those who donate, the stores will offer vouchers for free oil changes. The Rochester location will work with a different charitable entity due to its location outside of the Twin Cities.
