TEQUESTA, Fla. and BROCKVILLE, Ontario — Robert "Bob" Hirsch, president of the Aftermarket Foundation, has announced the election of Pricedex President and CEO Terence "Terry" O’Reilly to its board of trustees.
 
“On behalf of the entire board, I am very pleased to welcome Terry to the board of the Foundation,” said Hirsch. “We are proud to have someone of Terry’s caliber take an interest in our work, and we know, with his expertise, and his own genuine commitment to the kinds of needs we serve, that he will make a valuable contribution to our ongoing efforts. Although the Aftermarket Foundation celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, it is one of the industry’s best-kept secrets, and we would like to change that. And adding Terry as our first-ever Canadian to the board helps the Foundation ensure that it is not only represented in all sectors of the aftermarket, but also in all geographies.”

Since 1959, the Aftermarket Foundation has assisted individuals and families of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry that have fallen on hard times due to an unexpected death, catastrophic illness or financial hardship. Board members are called upon to assist in the fundraising efforts of the Foundation, and also to assist in the identification of those in need.

“I am quite honored to have been voted by my peers to join this prestigious and vital board,” O’Reilly said. “I have come to learn of the good works of the Foundation over the years, and have been very impressed that it does as much as it does as an almost entirely volunteer organization. The Foundation has one part-time employee, and it keeps its expenses extremely low. This means that about 88 cents of every dollar raised by the Foundation goes directly to help those in need. And I believe that this model of charity, focused within our industry, is very worthy of all of our support.”

Much of the Aftermarket Foundation’s fundraising is done through its annual golf outing, held in Las Vegas in conjunction with Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week, along with generous contributions from individuals and corporations, and the support of the AAIA, MEMA and SEMA.

The Foundation provides assistance to those in need based upon circumstances. Support can take the form of immediate, one-time assistance or longer-term support.

To learn more about the foundation, check out our December 2009 interview with Chairman Donald Schlenger.

To get involved, visit the Aftermarket Foundation website.