Moran Industries Helps Child in Need (7/03)

Danielle Zanyk is just like any normal seven-year-old girl, except for the fact that she has been plagued her entire life with a facial tumor, known as Hemangioma, which can only be removed through expensive surgeries.

Moran Industries, the leading franchisor in the automotive aftermarket industry, wanted to assist Danielle and her family with the expense of Danielle's sixth, and final, surgery, held June 23, by paying for one-third of it through their charitable Gary Goodgear Foundation.

Moran Industries became aware of Danielle's plight because her father, Lou Felicetta, is the center manager for the Mr. Transmission Franchise in Lawrenceville, GA. The donation was given on behalf of all of Moran's franchise brands in the Atlanta-area. The surgery was a success and she is expected to make a full recovery.

The main objective of the Gary Goodgear Foundation, established in 1993, is to assist communities across the country through financial support when disasters strike. This cooperative fundraising effort of all of the Moran Industries' family of franchise brands is structured with about 220 franchisees participate in the foundation's donation system. The foundation matches the dollar amount of all franchisee donations.

"The Gary Goodgear foundation is set up so that we can help our communities in any situation," said Barbara Moran, president of Moran Industries. "When we heard about Danielle and the ongoing struggles and medical expenses she and her family have been through, we knew we really wanted to help them. Her latest surgery alone was 15 thousand dollars, and we could not think of a more worthwhile cause than to help a child in need."

In the past, Moran Industries has made ongoing contributions to organizations such as the Twin Towers Fund, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training, the Trickle Up Program and the Tuscaloosa Chamber of Commerce (Tornado Relief).

All contributions made by Moran Industries franchisees are tax deductible and will be matched by Moran Industries 100 percent up to $25,000. These contributions benefit fellow franchisees, their families and their employees who are in need when disaster strikes in the communities where they are located. All of Moran Industries' 185 franchisees, including owners of Mr. Transmission, Multistate Transmission, Atlas Transmission, Dr. Nick Transmission, Milex Tune Up Brake and the management of Alta Mere Window Tinting & Alarms, participate in this team effort of the foundation's donation system.

"We thought involving our franchisees in this great effort would broaden our reach to help those in need," said Moran. "We encourage everyone in our franchise family to get involved because every bit helps assist someone through an unforeseen crisis."