Alamo Chapter makes fun of fundraising
Alamo chapter raises $cholarship money during annual picnic
By Lee Roberts
TIAA Executive Director
SAN ANTONIO -- Hundreds of Texas Independent Automotive Association Alamo Chapter members, employees and family members met at Eisenhower Park here Sept. 29, 2007 to enjoy good company, food and games. Although the picnic was the primary reason for the social gathering, many took a chance at winning door prize raffles.
TIAA Alamo Chapter officials said people just made fun of fundraising, and it paid off big as participants raised over $9,000 toward the John Pundt Scholarship Fund and automotive training reimbursements for members and employees.
Howard Huff, Full Service Auto Parts, said his company jumped at the chance to take on such a big role as lead sponsor of the event because it’s a “win-win” for his company and TIAA.
“TIAA is a good independent organization that helps all the garages in the area and the state,” Huff said. “By helping all these garages in the area that we sell parts to, it makes them stronger with better education and we sell more quality parts.”
In addition, Huff said, the money really helps maintain a quality workforce in the independent automotive industry.
“We’ve got a shortage of people in the industry right now. We need more good mechanics. We need people to understand that being a mechanic is not what you used to think it was 30 years ago with greasy fingers – now you’ve got to understand computers… it’s a high tech industry now,” Huff said.
Mike Van De Berg, Alamo Chapter president, said it felt good to raise the money, but the day was still about people getting together to enjoy each other and the many group activities.
Throughout the picnic, people competed in basketball, beanbag, coin toss, and horseshoe tournaments. They ate sausage and barbecue with all the fixings, all provided by Grady’s Barbecue. Adults and kids alike enjoyed activities with Daisy Bee the clown and were surprised when “The Coyote,” the San Antonio Spurs mascot, arrived.
Gonzalo Carrion, an employee of Continental Batteries, became a little bit of a TIAA legend when he took on “The Coyote” in a little one-onone basketball action. Carrion even managed to earn the mascot’s admiration when he swished a backward shot from the foul line right after “The Coyote” performed the same trick shot.
“I just threw it and it went in,” Carrion said. “That was a good one. It was good meeting him out here,” said the mechanic and Spurs fan.
Rick Schmidt, owner of Foreign Specialist in San Antonio, has attended these picnics since 1984. During the picnic he expressed his support for TIAA events and the working relationships he is able to foster with other garage owners.
“I’ve been associated with these people for 20 years. It’s helped me stay in business,” Schmidt said. “Because we’re such a strong association, we refer work to each other. I’m a firm believer of what we do here. We’re an excellent group of top notch people who help each other out.”
Schmidt also has volunteered to lead the charge for scholarship fundraising next year.
“Raising money for the scholarships… that’s great. We raised a lot of money that will help young kids going to high school and college – it helps put good people into our industry – that’s what it’s all about,” he said.
Henry Maine, who helped organize the picnic, was full of praise for the many sponsors and donors of silent auctions.
“O’Reilly (Auto Parts) was here and did all the table coverings… set up all our chairs. ALine Auto Parts was here for the first year and had a display. Obviously, Full Service, which managed our beverage booths, was here all day long.”
State TIAA President Gary Pundt praised all who attended and supported the worthy causes. “Our association grew stronger because the different sponsors, volunteers, members, employees and family members came together, had a great time, and came together to support the association’s goals. I’m proud of everyone involved that made the picnicsuccessful again this year.”
(Photo cutline: Daisy Bee the clown paints the face of Kelsey Maine, 6. Kelsey is the grandaughter of TIAA associate member Henry Maine, who helped organize the picnic. Photo by Lee Roberts)
(This article published from Topics Fall 2007 issue)
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