The Aftermarket Foundation, a nonprofit organization exclusively devoted to assisting individuals in the automotive aftermarket in times of need, is expanding its Awareness Partner Program. The focus of the program is to build awareness of the foundation by engaging companies throughout the aftermarket industry and encouraging them to educate their employees about the foundation and its resources.
Founded in 1959 by industry members, the Aftermarket Foundation has a long history of assisting individuals in the aftermarket industry, and their families. This includes those who have found themselves in dire circumstances as a consequence of serious illness or accidents, sudden loss of income, floods or other unforeseen misfortunes and those who have exhausted all other resources.
“The Aftermarket Foundation has provided assistance to numerous individuals and their families for more than 50 years,” said Joel Ayres, executive director. “The foundation is unique, insofar as it’s the only organization dedicated solely to helping people affiliated with the aftermarket industry. Our goal is to grow awareness of our organization, so that we can continue to build on our legacy of helping people in times of need.”
Participation in the Awareness Partner Program is simple and straightforward. An aftermarket company only needs to designate a point person — most often someone in human resources — to be responsible for sharing foundation information with employees. To assist in this effort, the foundation has developed an “Awareness” poster suitable for posting in various workplace locations, as well as guidelines on how to communicate foundation information to employees through, for example, company newsletters and email broadcasts. Partner companies receive recognition on the foundation website, aftermarketfoundation.org.
To support its charitable outreach, the foundation relies on contributions from aftermarket companies as well as several leading trade groups, including the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), the Auto Care Association (ACA) and the Performance Warehouse Association (PWA), as well as Northwood University.
The foundation’s largest fundraiser, however, is its Aftermarket Foundation Bob Schoeberl Charity Golf Tournament and evening cocktail reception, held annually in conjunction with the SEMA and AAPEX shows. This year’s cocktail and networking reception is on Nov. 1, at the Las Vegas Country Club; the golf tournament will be held at the country club on Nov. 2.
To learn more about the Awareness Partner Program and how to participate, contact Joel Ayres at j[email protected].
