Redstone Federal Credit Union

6 | r e d f c u.o r g S M A L L B U S I N E S S S P O T L I G H T When 25-year-old Jennifer Smith Harlow walked onto the A&D Motors, Inc., car lot in Arab looking for a job, she never thought she would still be there 25 years later as its owner and president. Harlow's father started her in the used car business by having her work with him as an auto wholesaler. Her late husband was also in the business, and she learned from both of them. She became active in the state and regional automobile organizations to understand the industry better, and now she's an award-winning auto dealer. In 2016, she was the first woman to receive the Alabama Quality Dealer Award. In 2018, she won the Barbara G. Cox Award, which was a first for the state of Alabama. But Harlow is more excited to talk about her community and nonprofit work. She is the founder and director of Parkside Outreach Program in Baileyton, AL, whose tagline is "Let Us Be a Blessing by Helping Others." e program opened in 2019 and comprises a food pantry and thrift store. Money from the thrift store funds the food pantry or goes to a needy family. She estimates that it has distributed over 23,000 meals since 2019. "e program provides direct support to students at Parkside Middle School and surrounding areas," Harlow said. "Our dealership has always done Christmas toys for children, but we saw that there was so much more of a need in Baileyton." In December, she says the dealership looks like the North Pole. e nonprofit also provides personal hygiene and school supplies, Blessings in a Backpack meals, and holiday food boxes. It also sponsors a scholarship program for students in the community. Since 2015, 19 scholarships have been awarded. In the spring, the thrift store gave away prom dresses to high school girls who needed them. "We want to meet people where they are," Harlow said. If you want to help, visit their website at: parksideoutreach.com Jennifer Harlow – Trailblazing Auto Dealer and Good Neighbor 6 | r e d f c u.o r g

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