As I look back over my career in the aftermarket, one of my most rewarding experiences has been the opportunity to serve as a Trustee of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation (UAF). I have also had the privilege of serving as Secretary of the Executive Committee and Chairman of the Grant Review and Education Committee. I am proud to share that last year, the foundation a received a record-setting amount of contributions allowing it to award over 460 scholarships totaling more than $664,500, to talented, deserving young people seeking a career in the automotive aftermarket.

The UAF Honor Roll of Donors brochure showcases the generosity of frequent donors, new donors, AWDA Challenge participants, and Lifetime Trustees, including the following recent additions: Brake Parts Inc, Robert Flicker/Dan Langdon/Chris Pruit, and GCommerce, Inc. It is because of their generous support that the University of the Aftermarket Foundation was able to continue to provide so many scholarships and educational opportunities to quality individuals pursuing a career in the auto care industry.

The University of the Aftermarket Foundation recently introduced its Legacy Club. This planned giving legacy program provides a way for philanthropic individuals to make larger gifts to the foundation then they might be able to make from ordinary income. Those who have spent their lives in the aftermarket industry can now ensure that their contributions and values continue to thrive in perpetuity. Through planned giving, current aftermarket leaders have the power to support the future of our industry for generations to come, as well as provide personal benefits to themselves and their families through a variety of giving arrangements, including:

• Naming UAF as a beneficiary of an insurance policy, IRA, retirement account, or brokerage account
• Establishing a life-income gift that provides an income to the donor or their beneficiaries
• Including UAF in estate plans

All Legacy Club contributions are welcomed and will be recognized unless the donor requests to remain anonymous. Legacy Club members will be honored with special recognition in foundation communications, on the UAF website, and during AWDA and AAPEX. Please contact the University of the Aftermarket Foundation for more information.

At UAF, we are not only grateful for financial donors, but also for all the volunteers who donate their time to make the foundation’s work possible. The Board of Trustees is made up of aftermarket leaders who serve as stewards of the foundation and volunteers of industry veterans evaluate the hundreds of scholarship applications received each year.

Please encourage your company to become a UAF Lifetime Trustee if they have not done so already. If they have, please encourage them to continue their commitment at the Gold and Diamond Trustee levels. Perhaps most importantly, please consider a personal contribution to UAF either directly or through a Legacy Club gift. There is no better way to help ensure the future of a vibrant aftermarket than by supporting the University of the Aftermarket Foundation. Together, we can make a difference.