Press Release: Survivor Fund Launches Experienced Owners Group

CHATTANOOGA, TN, April 9, 2019 — The International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum Survivor Fund today announced a new benefit available to those going through the tragedy of losing someone in the line of service. The new Experienced Owners Group (EoG) will allow company owners the opportunity to seek guidance from someone who has been in their current position. The Experienced Owners Group aims to provide this support for company owners who are dealing with the ramifications of losing an employee on the job.

For over ten years, the Survivor Fund has been providing financial assistance to families in their time of need when on the job tragedies occur. Now, the Survivor Fund is branching out to focus on another type of Survivor, the company owner. There are many challenges faced by company owners when an operator is killed on the job. The Survivor Fund does not have all of the answers but we do have a powerful list of those who have been in this position and who are willing to speak to anyone with a similar need.

The EoG is made up of towing and road service industry company owners who have had an on the job death and are willing to speak to others going through a similar loss. These owners will neither be competitors nor will they be a legal team. The museum, the Survivor Fund and our Experienced Owners Group are not able to provide answers to legal questions. This group is here for moral support and to help with information on how each person may have dealt with their own business tragedy.

“The Experienced Owners Group has been in development for several years. During the last year we have seen an increased need and have been told by those involved in the tragedies that this service would be of great benefit,” stated Jeffrey Godwin, Co-Chairman of the ITRHFM Survivor Fund / Wall of the Fallen Committee. “As we begin to rollout a few new Survivor Fund benefits in 2019, supporting of all survivors is our focus.”

The process is simple. Today, when a tragedy occurs, the assigned regional representative from the Survivor Fund committee reaches out to the company proactively to offer the assistance of the Fund and information about the Wall of the Fallen. Going forward, the information provided will also include how to participate in the EoG. The rep will endeavor to match the owner with a current tragedy to someone who had a similar incident situation when possible. The committee member will also contact the Experienced Owner being selected and notify them of the need. Both parties will receive an introductions email along with the case information as provided to the Survivor Fund. Once the introduction is made, all communications are direct between the parties and the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum and its Survivor Fund are no longer involved in the interactions.

The Experienced Owners Group exists to provide a specialized contact for business owners in their time of need allowing the business owner to speak directly to another business owner who has been through a similar tragedy in their own company. Please note that none of the ITRHFM, the ITRHFM Survivor Fund, the Experienced Owners Group, or the persons involved in these groups are to provide legal advice. If legal advice is required, the inquirer should be steered toward an attorney or other legal professional.

To learn more about the Experienced Owners Group, contact Jeffrey Godwin via email at jeffreygodwin@gmail.com. An inquiry / sign up form will be added to the museum website in the Survivor Fund section in the coming weeks. If you have experienced the on the job loss of an employee, please sign-up, get the talking points and serve your fellow towers.

 

About ITRHFM

The International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum, located in Chattanooga, TN, houses an array of displays and exhibits showcasing the history of towing and recovery. The rotating collection includes early equipment by Manley, Holmes, Vulcan, and Weaver. The Hall of Fame honors individuals who have significantly advanced the industry. The Museum includes a theater, a library, and a gift shop selling souvenirs related to the towing industry. On the outside grounds is the Wall of the Fallen memorial, dedicated to towers who died in the line of service. The ITRHFM Survivor Fund assists the families of the men and women that have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of service by providing a uniform financial gift at the time of their loss. ITRHFM is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and accepts donations for its programs and operations from individuals, corporations and groups.

Learn more at www.towingmuseum.com.

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