AAA Washington

We’d like to reintroduce ourselves. Everyone knows AAA, but we’ve found that not everyone knows us beyond towing. So, Hi ??! We’re AAA Washington. We’re Pacific Northwestians too. We’re still the best at towing, but we’re about so much more than that and we want everyone to know! And if our new look makes you pause and go, “Wait, that’s AAA?” Mission accomplished. We’ve been around for more than a hundred years, but we can’t be here for a hundred more without evolving. You’ll see a lot more A’s and our local roots reflected in everything we do, from the images we use to how we show up across our diverse communities. This goes beyond just a new look – though we hope you like it! It's about member experience. A new website designed with usability at the forefront. Investment in enterprise systems to streamline our operations. Expanding membership perks to more than 900 local businesses. Having advisors whose help goes beyond the road: insurance agents who craft policies for PNW life, and travel advisors who transform travel ideas into plans. We’re the same AAA Washington you know and love, but so much better! We don’t have one A. We have three! And three is more than one. Discover how More A’s Means Better Ways for you at bit.ly/Better_WAAAys ?

We are honored to be named Employer of the Year by the Association of Washington Business! This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to fostering a thriving work environment where employees feel supported and empowered to grow. At AAA Washington, we prioritize our team members' well-being through programs that promote mental health, physical fitness, flexible work arrangements, and family support. We also invest in professional development, offering opportunities for leadership growth and skill-building that help our employees advance in their careers. This award is a testament to the incredible people who make AAA Washington a special place to work and their dedication to serving our members and communities. Thank you, AWB, for this meaningful recognition!

In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, AAA Washington recently hosted a DEIB Community Conversation with Ariele Belo, Co-Executive Director at the Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center (HSDC) in Seattle. Ariele led a discussion on how to improve accessibility and inclusion for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) individuals. Hearing loss affects millions of Americans. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, around 15% of American adults (37.5 million people) have some trouble hearing, underscoring the need for businesses to take proactive steps in making their environments more accessible and inclusive. Ariele shared several strategies businesses can adopt to better serve the Deaf and Hard of Hearing customers and employees: ?? Provide captions: Make sure all video content and live events have accurate, real-time captions. ?? Use interpreters: Offer sign language interpreters when requested. ?? Text communication: Allow customer service via email, chat, or text instead of just phone calls. ?? Clear signage: Ensure that signs are easy to see and understand for people who rely on visual information. ?? Staff training: Teach employees basic Deaf awareness and how to communicate effectively with DHH individuals using visual aid Ariele also highlighted simple, yet effective strategies for making workplaces more inclusive for Deaf and Hard of Hearing employees: ?? Visual Alerts: Install lights or other visual signals for alarms or doorbells. ?? Assistive Technology: Provide tools like amplified phones, video relay services, or real-time captioning software. ??? Quiet Meeting Spaces: Use meeting rooms with minimal background noise and good lighting for lip reading. ?? Flexible Communication: Allow employees to use email or text as an alternative to verbal communication. ?? Deaf Awareness Training: Offer training to all employees to foster better understanding and communication with DHH coworkers. As we continue to work toward greater inclusivity and accessibility, we appreciate having discussions like these to guide us, both within our business and within personal interactions.

?? Congratulations to our President and CEO Heather Snavely - our own 2024 Puget Sound Business Journal Woman of Influence! ??

Today is Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day (RBWTSD)! We’re proud to continue our support of this student-led initiative inspired by Ruby Bridges, whose courage and resolve as a first grader helped desegregate New Orleans public schools in 1960. This year, AAA Washington donated 13 RBWTSD kits to schools across Washington state, giving students the opportunity to learn about and embody Ruby’s legacy through meaningful conversations and collective action. “These kits empower students to explore meaningful dialogue, strengthen unity and recognize their role in building inclusive communities,” said Erin Rogers, Community Engagement Manager for AAA Washington. Each participating school organizes a symbolic walk, whether it’s to school, on the playground, or in the halls, encouraging students to come together, reflect on Ruby Bridges’ legacy, and discuss the values of courage, respect and responsibility. Through RBWTSD discussion questions, students engage in meaningful conversations on leadership, civil rights and what it means to create safe, welcoming spaces for all. Huge shout outs to these 13 schools across Washington participating: ?? Everett: Forest View Elementary School, Silver Lake Elementary, Jackson Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary, Whittier Elementary ?? Spokane: Bemiss Elementary, Jefferson Elementary ?? Seattle: Queen Anne Elementary, Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, Broadview-Thomson K-8 School, Roxhill Elementary School ?? Tacoma: Grant Center for the Expressive Arts Elementary Since AAA Washington’s involvement in 2022, we’ve supported 41 schools with RBWTSD programs, and remain committed to expanding this movement. The goal is to make Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day a significant annual event across the state, where students learn to become change-makers, just as Ruby did.

We’re proud to share AAA Washington was recognized as the best large business in 425 Business Magazine’s Best in Business 2024 Awards! Voted on by readers in the community, this award reflects our commitment to delivering quality services, supporting our local neighborhoods, and driving a positive impact throughout the Pacific Northwest. Thank you to everyone who voted! #BestInBusiness #CommunityDriven #AAAWashington #425Business

Today, we take a moment to salute the valor of our AAA Washington employees and all those who've donned the uniform of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy. Thank you for the sacrifices you and your fellow veterans made to ensure our freedom.

We have a super star in our midst! Tacoma Travel Advisor, Valerie Rose, won not one but THREE national awards for travel sales. Among all the talented Travel Advisors nationally across AAA, Valerie swept three of the five total Superlative awards for: ?? Highest Association Revenue ??? Highest Association Preferred Cruise Sales ?? Highest Allianz Sales These achievements mean that Valerie not only led AAA Washington in sales performance but stood out across the entire Association. This recognition adds to Valerie’s impressive career at AAA Washington, where she is a 19-time President’s Club winner. As AAA Washington transitions our Travel business to an entirely virtual model, Valerie’s outstanding success is particularly exciting because she already works from home four days a week. Congratulations, Valerie! Your hard work, expertise, and commitment to providing our members with high-value travel experiences set a standard for excellence that inspires us all.

We are thrilled to share the success of our Batteries to Branches campaign—a partnership with the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust that promotes sustainability through car battery recycling and reforestation. ?? Why Batteries to Branches? In 2023, we recycled over 23,000 car batteries, equivalent to stacking 23 Space Needles! While nearly one million car batteries go unrecycled each year in the U.S., AAA Washington’s Batteries to Branches ensures these valuable materials are responsibly repurposed instead of creating environmental risks. ?? Recycling + Reforestation For every car battery tested, collected, and recycled at our events, AAA Washington donates a tree to be planted by the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust—an effort that offsets carbon emissions and restores Washington’s landscapes. This year alone, we will be donating 180 trees! ?? Six Community Events, One Green Mission Our “Batteries to Branches” events across six AAA locations (Tacoma, Bremerton, Alderwood, Mt. Vernon, Vancouver, and Bellevue) provided free battery testing, recycling, and replacement—making it easy for members and the community to take part in our sustainability mission. Together, we’re reducing waste, protecting local ecosystems, and contributing to a thriving environment for future generations. Thank you to our members and community for supporting sustainable initiatives that drive impactful change! #Sustainability #BatteryRecycling #GreenFuture #AAAWashington #MountainsToSoundGreenwayTrust

Did you know fall, not spring, is tree planting time in the PNW? Last week, 21 of our employees gathered to plant over 65 shrubs and trees at Timberlake Park in Issaquah. Our friends at the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust (“the Greenway”) led this great event, lending shovels, gloves and most importantly their expertise by demonstrating the best planting techniques to ensure sapling survival. With AAA Washington serving the region along I-90 and the Greenway’s focus on preserving the I-90 corridor, our partnership with the Greenway stems from a shared vision—to foster healthy, sustainable communities for all. The best part is everyone can get involved! Sign up to volunteer or donate $25 to plant a tree! All donations are being matched between now and Giving Tuesday (Dec 3) – so it’s the perfect time to double your impact and give back to the local environment. Learn more here: mtsgreenway.org/trees