Sept. 6, 2011 — The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) is reaching out to members affected by Hurricane Irene, offering to help in any way possible, according to a recent statement from the organization.
Jeff McDowell, president of AASP/NJ, said storm damage, particularly in the northern part of the state, has been devastating for several shops. So the organization, at the urging of former president Glenn Villacari of Parkway Auto Body in Nutley, N.J., decided to offer its services.
“Glenn contacted our office and suggested that we reach out to our members,” said AASP/NJ Executive Director Charles Bryant. “He even offered his own personal assistance to other shop owners who might need help cleaning out the muck and debris from their shops.”
Villacari said it’s natural to offer help after a disaster.
“We are all competitors,” he said, “but at the end of the day we are all trying to survive. To see some of the devastation here in our state is heartbreaking. We, as human beings, should be doing all we can to help others who have been hit hard by Irene. Fortunately, AASP/NJ has the components in place to reach the membership and let them know they are not alone.”
AASP/NJ members who were hit by the storm and are in need of assistance should contact the organization at [email protected] or at 732.922.8909. For more information on AASP/NJ, go to aaspnj.org or aaspjnortheast.com.