AASP-MO: A Little Thing Like a Global Pandemic Can’t Cancel Christmas

By Chasidy Rae Sisk

Most automotive and collision repair events scheduled for 2020 were postponed or canceled, and although AASP-MO members have been unable to meet for six months, the association refuses to let COVID-19 ruin the holidays. Ron Reiling, Executive Director of AASP-MO, explained, “Due to coronavirus rules, we won’t be able to enjoy our annual Christmas social and toy collecting like we have in the past, but we can’t let a little thing like a global pandemic cancel Christmas and the annual AASP-Missouri U.S. Marines Toys for Tots toy drive!”

“Our Toys for Tots Chairman Doug Slattery, President of ATI, is going above and beyond to make the toy collection still work,” he continued.

Typically, AASP-MO members receive collection boxes at the association’s annual kick off meeting, but this year, members can arrange to pick up boxes at ATI or request ATI deliver the boxes to their shop. In lieu of the AASP-MO Christmas social where shops normally bring toy donations and Marines attend to pick them up, ATI will pick the toys up from the shops, and the Marines will collect the donations from ATI.

“It is unfortunate that we cannot have our annual AASP-Missouri Christmas Social, but hopefully, we can all get some JOY collecting toys!” Slattery said, “We’re doing everything we can to ensure the disadvantaged children in St. Louis still get a great Christmas filled with love and toys during this pandemic.”

Reiling added, “It’s great to show our communities that AASP-Missouri members do so much more than just fix cars.”

Contact Slattery at 636-343-8101 to obtain a donation box. For more information about AASP-MO, visit aasp-mo.org.