ARA SCHOLARSHIPS

Making a Difference in Young Lives

The ARA Scholarship Foundation has a long history of helping children of

automotive recyclers pay for continuing education expenses. BY MICHELLE KEADLE-TAYLOR

“My Dad was around when the Scholarship Foundation started back in the sixties so it’s special to me,” said Linda Pitman, Dulaney Auto and Truck Parts, Inc. and Secretary/Treasurer of the Scholarship Foundation. “Back then it started by members taking money out of their billfolds to help someone go to school. It’s been really neat to see how much it has grown and how many students we can help now.” Since its beginning, the ARA Scholarship Foundation has awarded over 950 scholarships. The number of scholarships varies each year, depending on the number of qualified applicants. There have been a few record years when fifty or more scholar- ships have been awarded. The year that saw the high- est number of scholarships ever awarded was 2011-2012.

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The scholarships are funded through donations from ARA Members and fundraising activities. The donations can be in the form of general donations that are accepted at any time, or One Year Scholarships of a one-time donation of $1,000 named by the donor. There are also Perpetual Scholarships that are estab- lished with a one-time donation of $10,000 and are named by the donor in honor or memory of someone. “Giving in the name of a person who is important to you is a very special opportunity,” said Chuck Ossenkop, Northwest Auto Parts, and a member of the Scholarship Foundation Board.” It is an acknowl-

stablished in 1963, the ARA Scholarship Foundation, is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote education through the awarding of scholarships. Scholarships are awarded for post high school pursuits to children who are dependents of an employee of a direct ARA member company. Each year multiple recipients receive scholarships varying in amounts from $500 to $1,000.

edgement which goes well beyond words, a tribute to that person that is lasting. It is ‘passing it on’ in a very real way.”

Linda Pitman, for whom the Linda Pitman Honorial Scholarship is named, says it is a nice legacy to be a part of. She also points out that in addition to named scholarships, the foundation also holds many fundraising activities throughout the year to raise more money for scholarships.

“Over the years we’ve tried to raise money through all types of fundraisers, including silent auctions and regular auctions, but we’ve seen the best results from car raffles combined with a chance to win a $25,000 cash award,” she said. Chances are sold to win a brand new vehicle or take a $25,000 cash award. “Obviously the more money we can raise, the more scholarships we can award.”

The ARA Scholarship Foundation is made up of a Board of Directors that operates as a separate entity from ARA. They are responsible for discussing, plan- ning, and executing fundraisers as well as overseeing the approval and funding for scholarships. “For me, the most rewarding part of working with the Foundation, is knowing you are helping a parent who is serving our industry to send their child to col- lege,” said Ossenkop. “It is self actualization at its best. There is nothing in it for the committee member other than feeling you are helping someone, in a real