Humanitarian nomination deadline July 31

Know a tire dealer who goes above and beyond for a charity and/or community cause?

The time is running out to nominate a deserving tire dealer for the 2021 Humanitarian Award, which recognizes an independent tire dealer or retreader in North America who, during the past year, has made significant contributions to the betterment of his or her community through charitable or public service work.

The deadline is July 31.

An independent panel will judge nominations, and the winner not only will receive the handsome Tire Business Tire Dealer Humanitarian Medal as well as a trip to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, in Las Vegas, he or she will get a check for $2,500, to be donated to the charity of the winner's choice.

The award, in its 28th year, will be presented on Monday, Nov. 1, during the annual Tire Industry Association Honors program, which will be held prior to the opening of the SEMA Show, Nov. 2-5.

This year's honors ceremony will be held during the lunchtime hour, a one-time change to accommodate TIA's 100th Anniversary Gala, which is slated to be held later that evening. The gala was postponed in 2020 because of the pandemic.

Last year's winner of the Humanitarian Award was Rodrigo Valle Hernandez of Grupo Tersa of Tijuana, Mexico.

Mr. Valle, who operates more than 150 stores, is the first recipient from Mexico. Only one other dealer — Eric Gilbert of Ericway Tire Inc. of Beamsville, Ontario — has won the award outside of the U.S.

Mr. Valle has an impressive philanthropic resume — if you haven't read his story, check it out on tirebusiness.com — donating $1 million alone to help build what today is called the Rodrigo Valle Hernandez gymnasium/auditorium on the campus of his alma mater, CETYS University.

The competition for the Humanitarian Award is stiff, which speaks to the quality and community focus of tire dealers around North America. Those who have been nominated in the past can be renominated. A dealer only can be recognized once.

To nominate a dealer, visit www.tirebusiness.com/humanitarian.