Cahokia, Il - Al's Automotive Supply spent a sunny day on Nov. 10 giving refurbished vehicles to five local women who had survived domestic abuse, said Lori Cable, information director of Al's Automotive Supply.
Those five women "have escaped domestic violence and need a helping hand in establishing their new abuse-free lives," Cable said.
The donations were a part of Neighbors Helping Neighbors, "a campaign that the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, made up of Auto Value and Bumper-to-Bumper stores and service centers across North America, has embraced for 2007," Cable said.
"Every member warehouse unanimously agreed to participate in this program where the warehouse and Auto Value stores donate the necessary parts, and the Auto Value Certified Service Centers donate their time and expertise to make eligible donated vehicles safe, reliable and road-worthy," she said.
"Al's Automotive relied on two domestic violence organizations, the Violence Prevention Center of Southwest Illinois and Lydia's House in Missouri, to determine the recipients of the awarded vehicles," Cable said.
The Original 800 Charity Cars organization handled the license and registration issues, she said.
Cable said the campaign that began in March ended Nov. 10 with an award ceremony at Al's Automotive Supply Warehouse in Cahokia. The certified service centers, and Al's owners and employees, presented the five vehicles to five women and their families, she said. One of Al's employees contributed music by donating his DJ services, and the Al's team provided a barbecue lunch, she said.
The following service centers repaired the donated vehicles:
- Arvin Auto Supply (Ellisville, Mo.) – Patrick Loughran and crew
- Fred's South County Auto Repair (St. Louis) – Butch Renaud and crew
- Fyler Auto Repair (St. Louis) – Jim Bauer and crew
- Main Street Tire & Auto (Columbia, Ill.) – Mark Jackson and crew
- Shrum's Garage (Granite City, Ill.) – Orbie and Barb Shrum and crew
"In addition to providing the repair parts, Al's Automotive Supply donated a tote full of basic vehicle safety items with each vehicle," Cable said. "Bill Restoff of Restoff's Car Care, Belleville, Ill., donated a gift-card to each family. Thanks to all of the Auto Value Certified Service Centers for their support. Special thanks also go to the Columbia, Ill., police department, which donated one of the vehicles awarded on Saturday."
"It's been our pleasure to take what we do best, sell parts and fix cars, to give back to our community," said Jim Scrivner of Al's Automotive Supply.
Al's Automotive opened in 1954 and has 11 locations in the St. Louis area, Belleville, Cahokia, Fairview Heights, Granite City and Waterloo, Ill. In Missouri, the stores are located in Maplewood, Maryland Heights, O'Fallon, St. Peters, South County and West County.
Al's is a member of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, which is a network of more than 4,700 parts stores and 2,500 service centers across North America.