Federated Partnership With Toys For Tots A Huge Success

In its first-year partnership with the Marine Toys for Tots campaign, Federated Auto Parts and its participating members raised $140,000 and collected more than 4,000 toys. “We could not be more pleased with how well our partnership with Toys for Tots turned out,” said Mike Schultz of Federated Auto Parts. “We want to thank our members who led this highly successful effort. The money and toys collected resulted in the equivalent of 15,000 toys donated to children in need throughout the country.”

As part of its Toys for Tots partnership, participating Federated members collected donations and toys at their stores and some conducted contests for their customers as a way to thank them for their donations. In addition, financial contributions were accepted at the Federated Toys for Tots microsite (www.federatedautoparts.com/ToysforTots.aspx), which links directly to the Toys for Tots website.

“One of the great things about the Toys for Tots program is that donations are used in the area where the toys and money are collected. This enabled our members to help provide a Merry Christmas to deserving children in their respective communities,” said Schultz. “And while the holiday season has passed, it’s never too late, or too early, to donate to this very worthy cause.”

About Toys for Tots
The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not-for-profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps to provide fundraising and other necessary support for the annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. Now in its 65th year, Toys for Tots provides joy and a message of hope to less fortunate children through the gift of a new toy or book during the Christmas holiday season. For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.

When Your Shop Is Worth Much More Than You Thought

Although every sale of a shop in which I am involved has its own unique set of circumstances, which makes my job both very interesting and very challenging, Cowden Automotive stands out as particularly memorable because I was able to demonstrate to the long-time owner, Paul Cowden, that his business was worth about three times what he had initially thought.

Case Study: Owner of San Francisco-based Import Service Shop Delighted to Discover Just How Valuable His Business is to Qualified Buyers
I sometimes share case studies of the clients I have been able to assist in my role as an aftermarket business broker and provider of intermediary and advisory services. I do that when I think the story will provide a reader in similar circumstances with new insights or helpful information.
In the case of Cowden Automotive, Inc., I acted in a consulting capacity assisting the owner and his broker in valuing the business, creating a marketing plan, finding a qualified buyer, and arranging financing for the sale.
Although every sale of a shop in which I am involved has its own unique set of circumstances, which makes my job both very interesting and very challenging, Cowden Automotive stands out as particularly memorable because I was able to demonstrate to the long-time owner, Paul Cowden, that his business was worth about three times what he had initially thought.
Needless to say, delivering that kind of good news to a shop owner is a rewarding experience. Discovering that the sale of his business would result in his retirement nest-egg being substantially larger than he had ever thought was a fitting tribute to someone who had spent his entire working career as a busy automotive service shop owner.

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