Metro Auto Auction of Phoenix has been named the National Auto Auction Association’s 2017 Western Chapter Auto Auction of the Year for its commitment to supporting community youth.

NAAA said the auction’s notable efforts include hosting an annual Christmas party for seriously ill children and funding a mentorship program for thousands of at-risk Phoenix-area high school students.

The award was established last year to honor the charitable acts that auctions perform each year and to encourage volunteer outreach. The auction will join other chapter finalists competing to win NAAA's 2017 Auto Auction of the Year Award for Excellence in Community Service.

In November, each finalist will be recognized at the NAAA Convention — which is being held in partnership with the National Remarketing Conference — with a crystal trophy and a $5,000 prize for a charity of the auction's choice.

The winner receives a large crystal loving cup, a feature story in both NAAA's On The Block magazine and annual Membership Directory, as well as a $20,000 donation to the charity of the auction's choice.

“As part of National Auto Auction Week I’m honored to announce Metro Auto Auction of Phoenix as the representative auction from NAAA’s Western region for Auction of the Year,” NAAA Western Chapter President Michele Noblitt said in a news release. “Our nation’s children are the future of this great country. Metro owners and staff help provide youth and their families in the Phoenix area the ability to heal through Hope Kids and the tools needed to achieve education through Elevate Phoenix.”

In support of Hope Kids, since 2007, Metro has hosted a Christmas party each year for more than 600 children and family members, according to NAAA.

The annual party includes a Santa, gifts, games, crafts, train rides, petting zoo, Disney characters, a holiday dinner and real snow.

Additionally, NAAA said Metro employees have raised over $275,000 to help fund Elevate Phoenix.

Currently, the organization provides 3,400 students in two high schools with an accredited program designed to build both character and life skills.

Elevate Phoenix hires instructors who serve as mentors on a 24/7 basis and teach their students via a leadership curriculum attune to its mission. Students in the program for three years or more have a graduation rate of 91 percent, NAA said.

Other charities Metro currently supports include Best Buddies, Wounded Warriors,The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Arizona and 2Gether We Live.