NAFA's Chicago Chapter Brings The Holiday Cheer

The Chicago Chapter kicked off the holiday season in style on December 2 by hosting the annual Toys for Tots benefit at Maggiano’s in Schaumburg, IL. Chapter Chair Diane Lopez welcomed over 70 Members, Affiliates, and guests to this meeting which has become a Chapter tradition.

A networking session was followed by lunch and presentations by the U.S. Marines, representing Toys for Tots; and Ronald McDonald House, this year’s designated charity. Ray Hanna from Heritage-Crystal Clean was recognized by the Marines and the Chapter for his major contributions to Toys for Tots over many years. The Chapter collected over 900 toys and $8,200 in cash donations for Toys for Tots and made a cash donation to Ronald McDonald House for their great work in supporting the needs of families with sick children.

Mark LeGrand, ARI, Chapter Truck Committee Chair; Brian Godish, speaker; Jim De Maria, speaker & Vice President of Development for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana; Diane Lopez, Abbott, Chapter Chair

Alexander Barton, NAFA Director Of Accreditation Development; Ryan Ross, FleetMatics; Eric Bilas, FleetMatics

The Marines (Sergeant Sanchez, Sergeant Kent, Master Sergeant Van Tilberg, Gunnery Sergeant Rodriguez) present the donation check to Diane Lopez, Abbott, Chapter Chair

Suresh Rajapakse, Wheels; Frank Palormo, USG; Nora Kouba, USG

Lila Shafer, ARI; Sergeant Kent; Kristen Kusnierewicz, IAA; Patrick O’Connor, IAA

Rob Reyes, FCA; Wini Alves, Wheels; Patrick Krapec, Wheels; Jeff Menheer, Takeda; Kellan Strobel, Takeda

Special thanks to Erica Fine, Director, Strategic Sales, Wheels for material in this article.