Tuffy franchisees raise funds for Central Florida MDA

TOLEDO, Ohio — Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center franchisees in central Florida helped raise over $7,000 recently for the Central Florida Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

Through a two-month fundraising campaign that ended in March, Tuffy franchisees in Florida sought donations to help fund the care for people living with muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and related neuromuscular diseases.

Through the MDA Shamrock pinup program, which is supported by thousands of retailers across the country, Tuffy customers were encouraged to purchase a $1 or $5 paper shamrock for display in the location's waiting area.

"This year marks eight consecutive years that the area Tuffy locations have partnered with the local MDA chapter in Central Florida," Karol Siwko, owner of the Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center in St. Cloud, Fla., said.

There are 52 Tuffy Tire outlets in Florida, about half of which are in central Florida.

Since the start of the partnership, Tuffy franchisees have raised more than $65,000 for the MDA.

Toledo-based Tuffy franchises over 160 automotive service locations in 13 states: Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.