AAM Group Creates ‘Gratitude Bags’ For Local Heroes

Employees at The AAM Group recently gathered to create “gratitude bags” to hand out in their local communities during this holiday season of thanks.

The idea behind the project was to allow employees to thank those people who have faithfully served their communities — especially through difficult times like the recent pandemic. Recipients include medical workers, first responders, police officers, firefighters and those in the service industry who continued to show up to work so that the rest of us could meet our day-to-day needs.

The AAM Group donated items like food and gift certificates, while many employees contributed their own items to the effort. All told, AAM employees stuffed more than 300 bags — far exceeding the original goal of 200 — and employees brought back an allotment of bags to their own communities to distribute in thanks.

To expand the reach of the project, AAM also sent out more than 1,000 unfilled bags to its distribution and supplier partners as a way to invite them to join in the project within their own local communities.

Federated Auto Parts Distributors announced it is entering into a collaboration with the Association of Independent Oil Distributors (AIOD) – one it said will focus on mutual benefits for the respective members.

“Federated is constantly looking at ways to improve value for all constituents and this agreement provides that,” said Sue Godschalk, president of Federated. “This collaboration provides added volume and opportunities for our suppliers, new partners for our members, and added supply points and products for shop customers. We have enjoyed working closely with several AIOD members in the past and this agreement will expand and create further opportunities for both Federated and AIOD.”