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By Lee Roberts

TIAA Executive Director

SAN ANTONIO – More than 600 people ate from a wide array of delicious foods, socialized, recreated and raised approximately $20,000 during the Texas Independent Automotive Association Alamo Chapter’s annual picnic here today at Eisenhower Park.

Face painting was a very popular activity for the kids during the TIAA Alamo Chapter Picnic Sept. 26, 2009 at Eisenhower Park in San Antonio. Photos by Lee Roberts

During the event, adults and kids alike competed in friendly games and sporting tournaments, and took part in raffles and silent auctions with proceeds going to support Texas youth enrolled in college-level automotive courses and the group’s training reimbursement program.

“We’re elated at both the turnout and support received to this great cause,” said TIAA Alamo Chapter President Wayne Van Den Berghe.  “We raised a lot of money to support our scholarship program, and everyone seemed to really enjoy the many activities, especially the kids.”

Adam Awad, owner of Link New Tech, cooks up authentic Mediterranean food during the picnic.  His food booth took second place during the judging of food at the picnic.

TIAA officials said the event was a huge success because of the many members and businesses that bought tickets, volunteered, donated, and supported the event.  Henry Maine, event coordinator, took time during the picnic to praise Full Service Auto Parts and ACDelco for being grand sponsors of the event.  “We thank them very, very much,” he said.

During the picnic, Employees of Full Service Auto Parts volunteered at food and beverage booths, and helped with setup and cleanup.  Howard Huff, owner, said the sponsorship and their support is all about giving back to the businesses that support his company, and it’s important to invest in the future of the automotive industry in Texas.

“We need to keep people coming into our industry… if we don’t have something to help push them through then we don’t have anything,” Huff stressed about raising scholarship funds.

Maine also thanked the Platinum Sponsors of the picnic, which were Walton Distributing (BG Products), and Carlisle Auto Air, and Silver Sponsor Carquest Auto Parts, all located in San Antonio.  Maine encouraged shops to support both of these companies and all the sponsors that routinely support TIAA events and causes.

David Sladek (Right), owner of Kayser's Automotive and member of the picnic committee, presents a 50 caliber Desert Eagle handgun to James Barden, owner of Jim's Loop Automotive, who won the prize in a drawing during the picnic.

Other event sponsors included Awesome Products, Link New Tech, NAPA Auto Parts, Alamo Heights Garage, Kayser’s Automotive, Continental Batteries, Car Pro of San Antonio, and Foreign Specialists. There were also many donors of silent auction items.

Tony Rasco, NAPA Auto Parts, also announced during the picnic the donation of $880.04, which is 1 percent of sales to TIAA members during July and August 2009.

Texas youth will benefit greatly from the funds raised here, Van Den Berghe added.  But something new at this year’s picnic also fed the interest of event supporters, he said.

In prior years, the food was catered during the picnic.  This year, event organizers recruited members to sponsor a wide variety of menu items to foster camaraderie and participation. TIAA also enlisted food Judges who visited every food booth, and the top three received awards.  Full Service Auto Parts took first place, and donated the $500 award back to the scholarship fund.  Link New Tech came in second place and received $300.  Finally, Kayser’s Automotive nabbed third place and $100.

With such delectable treats as authentic Mediterranean food, Cajun gumbo, chicken and dumplings, barbecue, fish tacos, turkey legs, chicken wings, hamburgers, and even more desserts, picnic goers spent much of the day stuffing themselves and enjoying the music tunes provided by DJ Jam.

The children continuously played and ran back and forth during the picnic, and flocked around Daisy Bee the Clown, who spent much of the afternoon shaping balloon figures and painting faces.

“It was much better than I thought it would be,” said Adam Awad, owner of Link New Tech, who attended the picnic for the first time. “It was fantastic and successful.  I’m looking forward to next year.”