1-800-AutoTow Pledges Support for Towmen's Memorial Project
11 November 1998
1-800-AutoTow Pledges Support for Towmen's Memorial Project
BOYNTON BEACH, Fla.--Nov. 10, 1998--Plans to build a memorial for towmen who have died on the job received a boost as 1-800-AutoTow(tm) pledged to donate $1,000, plus an additional $1,000 annually to the Towmen's Memorial Project.
Recent industry figures show that one towman dies on the job an average of each business day of the year. The donation, which is the largest corporate donation to date, was announced by Joshua Konigsberg, VP of Sales and Marketing for 1-800-AutoTow(tm) (OTC:AUTW). 1-800-AutoTow(tm) is a company in the process of a consolidation or "build-up" of America's vehicle towing industry into a national brand.
"Most motorists don't realize that, similar to police and firemen, towmen put their lives on the line every day, and are often called on to assist in rescue efforts at the scene of an accident," said Konigsberg. "The Towmen's Memorial Project, similar to the Policemen's Memorial, assures tow-men nationwide that their colleagues will be remembered for their contributions to aiding the American motorist. 1-800-AutoTow(tm) is pleased to do our part to make sure the project comes to fruition."
The initial $1,000 donation by 1-800-AutoTow(tm) will be presented to "Friends of Towing" Executive Director Millie Stearns at the American Towman convention in Baltimore on November 20. That initial money will go toward the construction or development of the Towmen's Memorial Project. Subsequent annual pledges by 1-800-AutoTow(tm) will be used for the transportation of the memorial to industry conventions throughout the country, allowing towmen nationwide to share in remembering their fallen colleagues. Ms. Stearns said 219 towmen died on the job in 1997.
The Towmen's Memorial Project is the brainchild of Sam Brewer, President of the Professional Wrecker Operators of Florida and owner of Sam's Wrecker Service in Brooksville, Florida. Brewer got the idea to commemorate fallen co-workers after the recent death of a Haines City, Florida towman who was hit by a train while assisting a motorist.
Brewer said funds are being raised to build the Towmen's Memorial Project at the Towing Hall of Fame in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Project has received $2,000 from the Towing Recovery Association of America. Brewer said the annual $1,000 pledge by 1-800-AutoTow(tm) will help make the Towmen's Memorial Project a reality.
"Getting started is the hard part," Brewer said. "But with 1-800-AutoTow(tm) making such a commitment, I hope now that other people are moved to support the building of this memorial. It's important that we remember those who died in the line of duty."
1-800-AutoTow(tm) is acquiring well-run vehicle towing companies in metropolitan areas across the country, and will consolidate their operations into a single branded identity. Founded in 1997, 1-800-AutoTow(tm) is based in Boynton Beach, Fla. The company's management team consists of a diverse and experienced group of entrepreneurs, senior operating executives and towing veterans. More information is available on the internet at www.1800autotow.com.
