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By B.J. Johnson
'Woof and Wheels' Wash Raises Thousands for Dog Charity
Amidst 90-degree weather, a volunteer force of more than 60 bathed 93 pooches and hand-washed and vacuumed 120 vehicles in exchange for donations to Canine Companions, a national organization that breeds and trains highly skilled assistance dogs. Toenail trimming was also offered for the canines, and family activities included a classic car show, a high-energy performance from Sky Dog and Mad Dog of the Windy City K-9 Disc Club, and a canine search and rescue demonstration. The funds raised at the event will be used locally to help provide an Illinois recipient with an assistance dog, as well as to fund educational programs. Although it costs more than $10,000 to breed and train each companion dog, Canine Companions provides each assistance dog, as well as ongoing support, to recipients free of charge. Because of the cost and demand, there is a two-year waiting list. "We had such a steady stream of cars and dogs that our volunteers worked almost nonstop all day in the heat," said Mike Starovich, C&M president. "But knowing that we beat our previous records makes all of that effort worthwhile." iATN, ASA to Co-Host Event The International Automotive Technicians' Network (iATN) and the Automotive Service Association (ASA) will jointly sponsor the fifth annual Service Professionals Industry Reception on Nov. 2, from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in Event Center B at The Mirage in Las Vegas. The reception will provide an opportunity for service professionals to network and visit 60-plus exhibitors showcasing new products, services and technologies. The reception will take place during Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week in Las Vegas, and will officially launch ASA's Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS), to be held Nov. 2-4 at The Mirage. There is no cost to attend the reception, and advance registration is not required. Attendees must be iATN or ASA members and have either an Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) or CARS badge to enter the event.
National News
AMI Receives $10,000 Commitment from Arizona Shop Owner Daniel Guido, AAM, Tony's Service Center, located in Phoenix, Ariz., has committed $10,000 to the Automotive Management Institute's (AMI's) resource development effort, EXCEL. The commitment to AMI will be combined with other leadership contributions to continue AMI's mission of providing and promoting practical business management education tailored to the automotive service and collision repair industry. Guido who serves on ASA's board of directors as a general director, earned the Institute's Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation in 2005. "From basic planning and forecasting courses to employee relations, AMI courses have been a huge benefit to my business. My financial commitment to AMI is a way of giving back to the Institute and helping to ensure its future," said Guido. "Daniel has taken what he learned from AMI courses and applied these skills to improve his business. His generosity of giving back to AMI through EXCEL is very much appreciated," said John Francis, AAM, chairman of AMI's board of trustees. Toni Slaton, AAM, executive director of AMI, added, "It's very gratifying to receive Daniel's financial commitment. It helps secure AMI's future and gives us positive feedback about the job we're doing to satisfy students' needs." AMI was established to answer the demand for continuing education tailored specifically for the business needs of the automotive service industry. The Institute offers the accredited automotive manager (AAM) designation, the first business management accreditation exclusively for the automotive service professional. To date, AMI programs have attracted more than 147,000 enrollments throughout North America. AMI is a not-for-profit educational foundation to which tax deductible contributions can be made. For more information about the Institute, call (800) 272-7467, ext. 239, or visit the AMI Web site at www.AMIonline.org.
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Copyright (c) 1996-2008. Automotive Service Association. All rights reserved.
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Dalmatians sporting pink bandanas and Labs laden with mud from a nearby park were among the nearly 100 dogs that offered a paw of support during the annual Woof and Wheels Wash and Classic Car Show in June, which raised $3,900 for Canine Companions for Independence. An ASA member, C&M Auto Service in Vernon Hills, Ill, hosts this annual event.
