PASCO, Wash. – Supporters of the March Taylor Memorial Fund (MTMF) have announced their gratitude to the many companies and individuals who have donated generously to create an education scholarship fund for the collision industry. To date over $80,000 has been contributed to the MTMF with many pledges and donations yet to be received.

In November of 2008 a silent auction was held during the Collision Industry Conference meeting in Las Vegas. The event was created through donated equipment from 3M, Dent Fix, DuPont Automotive Finishes, Kent Automotive, Car-O-Liner, Infra-Tech, Sata and Miller. January marked the conclusion of the national fundraiser drawing for a ProSpot i4 Resistance Spot Welding System donated by Ron Olsson of ProSpot. The winner was Dave Finkelstein of Golden State Collision Centers in California.

The two fundraising events contributed in excess of $25,000 to the MTMF. Supporters are sending out a special thanks to everyone who participated in the drawing, auction and fundraising activities. During 2009 additional fundraising efforts will be conducted to raise awareness and donations for the MTMF.

The March Taylor Memorial Fund has been established to benefit collision repair technicians. The criteria for applying for educational grants is that qualifying individuals must have been employed within the collision industry for a minimum of two years, must be currently employed within the industry and their employer must be a member of a local, state or national collision industry organization.  For more information about the March Taylor Memorial Fund, visit the website at: http://www.marchtaylormemorial.com or contact Jeff Hendler at 509-539-5629 or by email at jeff@jdhendler.com