Hamilton, Ontario--January 6, 2011--Too often young people find that the costs of tools restricts them from entering apprenticeship and doing the work they love--working on cars.
Recognizing the need to address that issue, the Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association (OARA), has provided initial funding for a “Recycle Your Tools” initiative that will help in proposal writing and research of this unique program.
The goal is to remove barriers from becoming a worker or apprentice in the motive power trades.
The program, recommended by the Hamilton District Autobody Repair Association (HARA) and the Automotive Aftermarket Retailers of Ontario (AARO), will involve a charitable tax receipt that is issued for hand tools donated by retiring techs, closing dealerships or shops.
When fully operational, students enrolled in Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) or Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) courses will catalogue, inventory and web place the tools and make them available at no charge or reduced costs to students entering apprenticeship or workplace environments. There are plans to provide tools to employers to be offered as retention bonuses, where apprentices could keep their employer-donated tools if they stayed at the repair facility for a specified time frame.
This planned initiative answers an industry need identified in the latest CARS Council sectoral report and aims to help increase the number of young people and apprentices entering the automotive repair and automotive recycling industries.
OARA is providing the funding to the Industry Education Council of Hamilton through the Retire Your Ride vehicle retirement program. Members donate a portion of the proceeds from each vehicle to charity with total charitable donations exceeding $1 million dollars in the final two years of that program.
This initiative from the three automotive trade associations follows on the heels of five workshops offered in southern Ontario by the three groups and highlights a growing positive relationship within the organizations toward better co-operation to help industry and better serve the public.
Brampton, Ontario--December 23, 2010--AADCO Auto Parts' Don Fraser recently presented a $25,000 cheque to William Osler Health System Foundation on behalf of the Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association.
OARA has donated more than $1 million dollars to charitable organizations in the past 18 months alone with the help of member contributions and programs such as Retire Your Ride.
The William Osler Health System Foundation is a registered charity devoted to raising funds for William Osler Health System. Since our official inception in May 2002, the Foundation has been dedicated to supporting system's desire to build the strongest community health care centre in Ontario.
Their role is to provide the Brampton health centre with the resources to expand clinical programs and enhance patient care. Whether it’s upgrading medical equipment or meeting construction demands on site of a new building, the Foundation works to assist the Health Centre in their vision to provide effective and compassionate care that meets or exceeds the health care needs of the community.
Thornhill, Ontario--December 22, 2010--The folks at Summerhill have been out promoting the Retire Your Ride program, and bringing the media along with them.
We just got a bunch of new photos from Central Auto Truxx. Take a look:
Thornhill, Ontario--December 20, 2010--Boston Auto Wreckers is getting in the Christmas spirit—they've collected an entire truck full of toys to give to deserving boys and girls this holiday season. They even attracted the big man himself to help celebrate the occasion.
The team at Boston brought in over 900 gifts with the help of toy manufacturers and various donations. The gifts will go to support CTV's and the Salvation Army's Toy Mountain, which delivers the presents to deserving families over the holiday season.
Take a look at some of the photos from the toy drive:
Thornhill, Ontario--December 13, 2010--The Ontario Auto Recycling Association (OARA) has upped it's donation to the Sunshine Foundation to $150,000.
The funding will go to support the foundation's 50th DreamLift, scheduled for 2011.
A Sunshine DreamLift transports a plane full of children to a special destination (like Disneyland) and back. For many of the children, a Dreamlift is more than just fun—it is their first chance to taste independence and experience the adventure of a first plane ride or a first day away from mom and dad.
The children, all of whom are challenged by a severe physical disability or life-threatening illness, are accompanied by medical staff and volunteer “buddies.” For donors and volunteers, a DreamLift offers a special way to see months and months of hard work and planning realized in the joyful faces of dozens of children.
For information on giving to the foundation visit Sunshine.ca.
