Moran Industries Aids Communities in Crisis with Gary Goodgear Foundation

Moran Industries, Inc., one of the nation’s leading franchisors of automotive aftermarket centers, recently announced its non-profit arm, the Gary Goodgear Foundation, has donated more than $50,000 in 2005.

Formed by Moran Industries in 1993, the Gary Goodgear Foundation was established to offer communities and individuals financial support during times of need or crisis. The foundation operates as the official philanthropic arm of the company and is funded by financial contributions from Moran Industries’ more than 239 franchisees, including owners of Mr. Transmission, Multistate Transmission, Milex Tune Up and Brake, and Alta Mere Complete Auto Imaging centers. Moran Industries then matches each franchisees donation up to $25,000.

During 2005, the Gary Goodgear Foundation made donations to the following organizations:

American Red Cross - Tsunami Relief Fund
UNICEF - Tsunami Relief Fund
American Red Cross – Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund
Salvation Army - Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund
March of Dimes
St. Jude’s Research
Habitat for Humanity
Several communities or individuals who were faced with financial or medical hardships.

“I am extremely proud of the Gary Goodgear Foundation’s efforts to assist communities and individuals during emergencies,” said Barbara Moran, president and CEO of Moran Industries. “Everyone in the Moran Industries family works together to support the Gary Goodgear foundation, and we are grateful to our Franchise system for their generosity to support those in need.”

In the past, the foundation made contributions to organizations such as Twin Towers Fund, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training, the Trickle Up Program, J & J Kid's International and the Tuscaloosa Chamber of Commerce (Tornado Relief).

Another example of the foundation’s reach was its financial support of a young girl’s surgery. The girl had been plagued her entire life with a facial tumor, known as Hemangioma. The Gary Goodgear Foundation contributed more than one third of the cost for the surgery to remove the facial tumor.

About Moran Industries, Inc.

Based in Midlothian, IL, Moran Industries provides specialty products and services in virtually every aspect of the automotive after market through five franchise brands and a total of 239 locations: including Transmission USA service locations (Mr. Transmission, Multistate Transmission, Dr. Nick Transmission); Alta Mere Complete Auto Imaging centers; and Milex Tune Up and Brake Centers.