Coates foundation sets up two new scholarships

The Ed Coates Memorial Foundation has created two scholarships for automotive students at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, in the Vancouver area.

The True Leadership Award will provide $1,000 to a student in the Automotive Parts, Warehousing, Logistics and Distribution Foundation or Level 1 Apprenticeship programs – an additional $2,000 bursary was also created for the group. Another $1,0000 will be for a student in the business program at KPU.

The foundation, which was started by the Lordco co-founder’s family following his sudden death in 2014, has donated $23,000 to fund the awards for upcoming years.

This is the second round of donation announcements made this year by the foundation. In June, two leadership awards were created for automotive students at the University of Fraser Valley, in Abbotsford, B.C.

“We take immense pride in granting these scholarships and bursaries. The purpose is to provide individuals in the automotive and business fields with assistance to build a successful career in an industry we have so much pride in,” said Candace Gottschalk, Coates’ daughter and vice president of Human Resources for Lordco Auto Parts. “My father was an innovative business leader and our hope is for others to have the same passion our family shares for this business.”

The foundation is supported by various fundraising initiatives by Lordco, as well as local community events.