AAA Donates $50,000 to the Survivor Fund
From left: Bob Huffman, Steve Welchel, Bill Byers, Danny Horton, Tom Tedford, Jeffrey Godwin, Jon Kupchin, Bill Gratzianna, Lee Roberts, Jim Jennings, Margaret Pittelkow, Randy Olson, Cliff Ruud, Bert King, Geoff Russell and Kevin Fox.
Source: AAA Press Release:
AAA Inc. donated $50,000 to the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum’s Survivor Fund at the annual Wall of the Fallen ceremony commemorating roadside heroes who have lost their lives in service to others.
[Editor’s Note: The October 9 ceremony was part of Museum Weekend, held during the same weekend as the Tennessee Tow Show.]
Automotive Vice President Margaret Pittelkow spoke at the event, honoring 41 towing operators who died in the line of duty. This year, over 300 people attended the event. “We are committed to our roadside workers, our essential heroes,” Pittelkow said. “We are committed to raise awareness, make working conditions safer, stop preventable crashes from occurring and ensure that every driver returns safely home at the end of the day.”
The Survivor Fund provides families of tow truck operators killed while assisting motorists with a financial benefit at the time of their loss. “We are thankful for the generous support we receive from AAA,” said Jeffrey Godwin, International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum 1st Vice President and Survivor Fund Committee Co-Chairman. “Corporate donations are key to our success in serving the families of the men and women who lose their lives in the line of service to the motoring public. This donation will allow us to continue this valuable work when tragedy strikes.”
The Survivor Fund was started in 2005 and AAA has been supporting since 2006, by helping to raise funds through clubs and partners. AAA’s relationship with the towing industry is part of its overall efforts to ensure a strong contractor network, which also includes raising awareness of Move Over laws that protect ERS technicians and others working at the roadside.