A lot of good people are rallying to support their aftermarket colleagues facing life-altering challenges amid the death, destruction and misery wrought by hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
Donations are arriving in the coffers of industry-backed charitable organizations and being distributed to impacted businesses throughout the hurricane zones. Those who are heading up the relief efforts are hoping that your generosity continues through Thanksgiving, Christmas and on into the New Year as the financial needs throughout the stricken region are expected to linger for a long time.
“It’s a great example of the auto care community coming together to help their own,” said Bill Hanvey, president and CEO of the Auto Care Association, which made a large contribution to the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF). In the weeks following Harvey and Irma it remained unclear how many suppliers, distributors, retailers and repairers were still suffering from the one-two punches landed by the two hurricanes. Hanvey said it could be hundreds of them.
“The scope of damages ranges anywhere from a service technician up to a sophisticated parts warehouse,” he observed. “Jobbers, retail locations – they’ve all been affected. “If you’re part of the aftermarket you’re eligible to apply to receive a grant if needed to get back on your feet.”
“We’ve re-doubled our efforts to support the Foundation,” reported Randal Ward, president of the Automotive Aftermarket Association Southeast (AAAS), which covers Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi. “We’re doing our best to reach out to everyone in the aftermarket – member or non-member. It’s not just the members we’re representing; we work for the industry, and we’ve been pretty busy” providing hands-on assistance.
Power outages made more miserable by sweltering heat and humidity has been the main issue buffeting AAAS’ territory. “Business is interrupted, but not shut down completely,” Ward said. “There are still customers looking for vehicle repair and parts.”
“Aftermarket families are going to need a lot of help,” said AACF Executive Director Joel Ayres. “With tens of thousands displaced, and more than 7 million people currently without power in Florida alone, it’s clear this is going to be a long road of recovery. Now more than ever, we humbly ask for the continued support of our industry – donations of any amount are welcome.”
As of mid-September the industry’s financial giving “has been substantial,” according to Ayres, encouraging stricken businesses to apply for aid. The entire process is kept confidential. “Some people are embarrassed that they need to ask for help.”
Citing Harvey and Irma’s shuttered companies with no paychecks to disburse and colleagues plucked from rooftops with only the clothes on their backs, Ayres reminds anyone under duress during any future calamity that the AACF is built for speed. “We can get a check overnighted if you’re sleeping in your car and need a hotel room.”
“The Foundation is a great organization with an honorable mission,” declared Rodney Pierini, president and CEO of the California Automotive Wholesalers’ Association (CAWA).
Other associations are pitching in as well, such as the Collision Industry Foundation (CIF) and its Harvey and Irma relief endeavors. “It’s time to roll up our collective sleeves and help our brothers and sisters,” said CIF Chairman William Shaw, an executive with PPG Automotive Refinish. “We encourage all industry professionals to reach deep and make tax deductible donations to CIF so we can help those in need.” All the money collected goes toward emergency living expenses or tool replacement costs.
In these types of operational shutdowns “tools and equipment are what you need,” said Automotive Management Institute President Jeff Peevy.
Previously director of field operations for I-CAR, Peevy was among the industry leaders of the Hurricane Katrina outreach efforts, going shop-to-shop with crucial aid throughout the Mississippi Delta’s widespread devastation and despair.
“It was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had,” he recalled, referring to the intensity of being on the scene during such a dangerous disaster and the “Tools For Techs” rollout that helped so many pick themselves up and get back to work fixing cars on behalf of the region’s transportation-challenged residents. “We laugh about playing ‘Tool Santa,’ but that’s what people needed,” he pointed out.
Out on the flooded streets of Houston for a search and rescue mission in the midst of Harvey, “I experienced a lot of devastation when it comes to automobiles and houses,” said Alonzo Salazar, manager of Fogle Collision Center, a ProCare franchise in nearby League City, Texas.
“A few people I rescued from high water, and a few people I helped with moving things out of their houses,” he recounted, impressed at the number of friends, colleagues and competitors who joined the efforts.
“Our sales reps remain dedicated to engaging with our customers to help them recover and get their businesses up and running as quickly as possible,” said Matthew Brown, senior vice president of sales at Lawson Products and its Kent Automotive division.
The company “has orders ready and waiting to be delivered as soon as remaining Zip Codes are open for receiving deliveries,” he reported during Harvey and Irma’s immediate aftermath. The much-in-demand hurricane recovery items included cleaners, disinfectants and odor control products; safety products ranging from head and eye protection; work gloves and first aid kits; and hand tools.
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