The Society of Automotive Technicians (S.A.T.) is a volunteer organization whose members are high school students from the Fayette County area. They meet several evenings weekly to repair vehicles for needy people, many of whom are low-income single mothers. S.A.T.’s clients are referred by community agencies, such as Grace Happens, Virginia Place, and University of Kentucky’s Targeted Assessment Program. Over the past five years, S.A.T. has donated parts, service, and time valued at over $50,000. This innovative program has served two invaluable purposes within the community: First, the student participants have learned a practical, specialized trade that could very well become a viable career option as graduation approaches. Second, the clients whose lives are touched by S.A.T.’s generosity and selflessness are often able to keep jobs that might have been at risk without a functional vehicle. These clients are able to continue to provide for their families and maintain the dignity that poverty so often compromises.

On National Philanthropy Day this past November, The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) honored S.A.T.’s devotion to the community with the Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award. From this encounter, a relationship between our two organizations developed, and the Road Rally was taken on as AFP’s major philanthropy for the year. S.A.T. and AFP are working together to create a successful annual event to fund the purchase of automotive parts so that these selfless students will be able to make full use of their time to touch many more lives in the future. All proceeds from the Road Rally are 100% tax-deductible and will directly benefit S.A.T.’s mission.