way, without ever knowing that person. You know that the funds entrusted to the founda- tion are spent with a minimum of overhead burden. In other words, the funds are well spent for a worthy cause.

“All employers know their success is dependent on their employees. The Foundation gives ARA contributors a way to invest in their employees in a very positive and personal fashion. It also supports what I’m sure many people would agree is a cornerstone to this country’s continued success – education. How can you go wrong – no down side here.” Scholarships are available for post-high school edu- cational pursuits. Eligible applicants must be a child of an employee of a direct ARA member company. All requests for applications should be forwarded to ARA Headquarters in Manassas, VA. The deadline to submit scholarship applications is March 15 of each year. “Everyone thinks you have to be attending a four- year college to apply but we’d like to see more indus- trial scholarships too and more employees’ children feeding back into the industry,” said Pitman. “We’ve had scholarship awardees who have received more than one year’s education aid. All they have to do is re-apply each year for a maximum of four awards and continue to meet the criteria for the scholarship.” Several ARA members regularly have scholarship recipients each year and feel that it is important to let their employees know about the scholarships available for their children. Greg Beagell, Don’s Automotive Mall, Inc., is one member yard who feels that way.

“I think it’s a good ARA member benefit we can offer employees that adds value and doesn’t cost us, except donations to the

Foundation,” said Beagell. “It’s nice to see your employees’ children benefit from those donations and it puts the donation to good use.” Amanda Meade, who is a sopho- more and has received her second ARA Scholarship Award this year, is the daughter of Brian Meade who works for Don’s Automotive Mall, Inc. “I would like to thank the ARA Scholarship Foundation once again for helping families of their members by offering schol- arships and for their continued support towards my education,” said Meade. “Being awarded this schol- arship again helps me feel that my hard work is pay- ing off. This scholarship will enable me to dwell more on my studies and work harder to become all I aspire to be.” Nordstrom’s Automotive Inc. is another member yard that has seen the value in promoting the schol- arships to employees. “It’s a good thing and helps the employee’s family budget,” said Nordstrom. “I’ve tried my best to sup- port the ARA Scholarship Foundation by participating in the fundraisers when I can. I always let my employ- ees know when it’s time to submit applications and get the information and interest flowing by using the success stories from other employees whose children have received scholar- ships.”

Tim Braaten, who is a Nordstrom’s Automotive Outside Sales Representa- tive and a 15-year employee, is one such person who has benefitted from the scholarships. His daughter, Makayla Braaten, received her second scholarship award this year.

March-April 2015 | Automotive Recycling 57

Amanda Meade

Makayla Braaten