AAMCO Prescott Valley, Arizona Franchisee Gary Denton Receives Gold Award for Launch of Charitable Initiative Dedicated to Local Veterans

Local Prescott Valley, AZ AAMCO franchisee, Gary Denton, has been honored with the Gold Award in the Newcomer category of the second annual Franchising Gives Back Awards. The awards program recognizes the best, most innovative community leaders and charitable programs nationwide.

The International Franchise Association (IFA) Educational Foundation, which launched the Franchising Gives Back Awards program last year, recognized Gary Denton with the Newcomer award at a special awards dinner on Sept. 12 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C. The category highlights a new charitable or community support program launched within the last year that has made a significant impact on a local community. Denton was nominated for his Wheels of Freedom Project, a not-for-profit entity dedicated to providing repaired electric wheelchairs to disabled veterans in the Prescott Valley area. Since launching the initiative at the beginning of the year, Denton has refurbished a total of 10 wheelchairs to date.

“I am incredibly humbled and honored to be recognized by the IFA as the Gold Newcomer Award winner of Franchising Gives Back,” said Gary Denton, AAMCO franchisee. “The Wheels of Freedom project’s mission is to create awareness of the needs of veterans with physical disabilities and to promote the joy of giving. With the support of AAMCO’s corporate team, I am thankful for the opportunity to give back to my local community and veterans who have given their lives to protect our country. These individuals continue to inspire us and I am excited to see how the project evolves over the coming years.”

The Wheels of Freedom Project provides recipients with hope, mobility and independence. Denton’s long-term goal is to improve the quality of life for veterans and spouses who have sacrificed their lives for the betterment of the nation.

“We are very proud of Gary Denton and the positive impact he is making on his community through the Wheels of Freedom Project,” said Rob Rajkowski, COO at AAMCO Transmission, Inc. “He continues to serve as an example of leadership excellence and we look forward to supporting him in his future endeavors.”

The Wheels of Freedom Project is currently raising money to apply to be recognized as a 501(c)(3) public charity with the Internal Revenue Service and State of Arizona.  To learn more or donate to the Wheels of Freedom Project, visit  www.WheelsofFreedomProject.org.