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Letter to the Editor

Automotive Body Parts Industry Rallies Behind Camp Mak-A-Dream Campaign

Genera Corporation, Keystone Automotive, Auto Body Parts and Veng USA, as well as the Taiwan Auto Body Parts Association (TABPA) and the Auto Body Parts Association (ABPA), are contributing to the campaign, some choosing to purchase drawing chances through the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) that make holders eligible for one of ten travel gift certificates valued at $3,000 (winners will be announced December 4th at the NACE Collision Industry Night of Achievement). Proceeds from this drawing go directly to Camp Mak-A-Dream and will be used to help construct a new medical center.

Genera Corporation, an SCRS Company Member that is the North American distribution arm of TYC Brother Industrial Company, has distributed $5,000 in complimentary drawing chances to customers, accompanied by a letter stating that pledge forms are available should the customer desire to make additional contributions. In addition, Genera's branch warehouse personnel throughout the United States possess promotional information on the camp for distribution to interested parties.

"The Camp Mak-A-Dream campaign offered Genera/TYC an excellent opportunity to provide a measure of support to the industry in which we have prospered," explains Dick Churchill, Genera's Director of National Accounts and Industry Relations. "I have personally watched the sacrifice and effort poured out by Chuck Sulkala and many others in the industry I admire. We are honored and proud to be a small part of the avalanche of support that has built up on behalf of this most worthwhile project."

SCRS Company Member Keystone Automotive, a leading supplier of replacement collision parts, has decided to sell thousands of dollars in chances by placing ticket books in the hands of their over 600 salespeople located throughout 118 nationwide field offices. Each Keystone representative is responsible to sell and distribute their portion of drawing chances to body shop customers as the situation warrants.

"We think this is a great opportunity for Keystone people to demonstrate their support of the collision repair industry in this worthwhile project," states Keystone President Charlie Hogarty.

Auto Body Parts, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, made a direct donation of $2,500. "I think it is a nice cause to back because our children are the future of our country," says Mark Purtilar, Vice President and General Manager of Auto Body Parts. "If we do not show that we are committed to taking care of them, and how much we value them regardless of the situation, we are not passing on to them a level of commitment and value they will give to their children in turn. All children can see and observe what we are doing, not just those at Camp Mak-A-Dream. Hopefully our actions will instill in them the caring, giving nature on which this country was founded."

Veng USA, a New England-based distributor of premium quality auto body parts, was originally introduced to the Camp Mak-A-Dream project by Past SCRS Chairman Chuck Sulkala who sits on the Camp Mak-A-Dream Board of Directors. Sulkala approached Veng USA about making a donation, and the company immediately recognized the value of the camp, making a $500 donation toward the vacation drawings.

Additionally, Veng USA initiated an all-out effort to promote the campaign. It has given its employees the opportunity to purchase and promote the drawing chances, including over 60 outside sales people who are offering the vacation opportunities throughout New England. For each ten chances sold, Veng employees earn a free drawing chance.

All Veng collision parts invoices include the message: Ask your Veng Rep about supporting Camp Mak-A-Dream. "We are proud to join our fellow SCRS industry members in making this fundraising effort successful," says Scott Edwards, Veng USA President and CEO.

Adds Paul Folino, Director of Sales and Marketing: "We often take the many joys life brings for granted. Supporting a program like Camp Mak-A-Dream allows us to make a difference in the lives of many less-fortunate children."

Genera Corporation, Keystone Automotive Auto Body Parts and Veng USA are members of ABPA, which has been providing its own fair share of support for Camp Mak-A-Dream. Besides encouraging its member companies to support the cause, the association has made total contributions totaling $2,001. This includes fifteen booklets of chances it bought and filled out for each of its member companies, as well as $500 it placed toward the purchase of the vacation packages for the drawing.

"Anytime businessmen and businesswomen can spin out of their day-to-day cycle and place the welfare of the less fortunate before their own needs, it is an affirmation of the value of an industry," says ABPA Executive Director Stan Rodman. "The ultimate objective of a business should be more than making money because by helping others fulfill their dreams, a business derives the greatest satisfaction and benefit."

Karen Fierst, President of KerenOr Consultants, is an associate member of ABPA and the North American representative for TABPA. A catalyst for camp support in her own right, she appeared at ABPA's annual convention to explain the campaign and encourage ABPA members to participate, while continuing to spread the word at other industry-related conferences and meetings. With her encouragement, TABPA announced a direct contribution of $1,000 at the October Collision Industry Conference, part of a total commitment of $2,000 raised through incentives and other promotions.

"I feel strongly about this mission and see it as a profound way that we can give back to society," she explains. "By doing it as an industry, we can illustrate to the world that we are contributors to the community who can unite for the common good. This allows us to mold an image that can overcome the stereotypical negatives too often associated with our industry, not to mention that we get to experience-first hand-the power of working together."

Besides the specific contributions reported here, other automotive body parts manufacturers and distributors have come forward to make donations of their own (at press time Maxzone Vehicle Lighting Corporation came through with a direct contribution of $3,000). This is yet another example of the grass roots support that has been a characteristic of the Camp Mak-A-Dream campaign since its inception.

At the outset of the year, SCRS pledged to raise $100,000 for the camp, out of a total of $500,000 pledged by the collision repair and related industries through the National Auto Body Council (NABC). The sum will be matched dollar for dollar by the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust.

"Through the efforts of the automotive body parts industry and others, we're rapidly closing in on NABC's goal," says SCRS Chairman Joel Lofton. "We salute the efforts of this industry, and continue to be impressed by the generosity and heart that is being exhibited."

Through its direct members and 32 affiliate associations, SCRS is comprised of 8,300 collision repair businesses and 58,500 specialized professionals who work with consumers and insurance companies to repair collision-damaged vehicles.

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