It was a little more than a month ago we updated you on the story of Total Truck Parts’ employee Brett Smith, whose home had been badly damaged by Hurricane Irma.
Thanks to the generous support of the independent aftermarket, the company announced this week that it raised nearly $20,000 to repair the damage to Smith’s home.
“We were overwhelmed with the generosity of many people, including distributors, competitors, dealers, and suppliers,” says Marc Karon, president at Total Truck Parts. “Brett will likely be able to finish the repairs in the next few weeks.”
Adds Smith, “We are so very thankful for the donations that you have given our family to help rebuild our home that was struck by a tornado during Irma. To say thank you is not a big enough word for what you all have done for my family. We are extremely humbled by the way Tom Gibson, Dennis Imbody, and Marc Karon appealed to the Total Truck Family and the heavy-duty aftermarket suppliers and distributors for help.
“I have only worked for Total Truck for a short time when this all happened and quite frankly, I am still in shock every day for what you have done. I can truly say that I have not worked for a more caring and giving group of people than our Total Truck Family and heavy-duty industry.”
This is great news, but as I wrote in my October column that posted last week, it’s not at all surprising. This is what the aftermarket does. When the first hurricane hit Houston, distributors and dealers sent relief and aid to Texas. Efforts like this followed when Irma reached Florida. And then once Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, VIPAR Heavy Duty developed a fund to raise money for employees of VIPAR Heavy and Power Heavy Duty members who were impacted by natural disasters, such as VIPAR member Super Truck Parts.
We both know the hurricanes, floods, forest fires and other disasters that impact aftermarket businesses aren’t going to stop, but in the meantime its reassuring knowing the aftermarket will handle each one together.
