RICHMOND, Va. -

CarMax has announced the 12 winners of The CarMax Foundation’s CarMax Cares Community Service Award. The award, given annually now for the fifth time, is bestowed to associates across the country who are nominated by their coworkers for their own volunteer efforts and leadership in community projects.

The 12 winners were honored at the company’s largest associate recognition event in Las Vegas — each winner selected a nonprofit organization to receive a $5,000 grand on behalf of the foundation.

Below is an abridged outline from CarMax that outlines the 12 winners and the respective nonprofit organizations that each chose. For commentary from each winner, check out the full release here.

Jamie Abbott; assistant business office manager; Franklin, Tenn.

  • Nominated for championing volunteer opportunities that inspire co-workers to get involved in the community and her personal passion to serve those in need as a Nashville Rescue Mission volunteer.
  • Nonprofit selected for grant: Nashville Prevention Partnership

Barbara Bean; business office associate; San Antonio

  • Nominated for her personal approach to getting fellow associates involved in important causes and for going above and beyond to give back to communities in need.
  • Nonprofit selected for grant: Dream Factory of San Antonio

Debbie Edwards; manager, talent management; Richmond, Va.

  • Nominated for creating a community service component in CarMax’s nationwide associate leadership development program, as well as her dedicated service to several nonprofit organizations in Richmond.
  • Nonprofit selected for grant: Blue Sky Fund

Mike Full; sales manager; Frederick, Md.

  • Nominated for his passion to serve the community, ability to inspire others to make a difference, and personal commitment to raising awareness for cancer research and traumatic brain injuries.
  • Nonprofit selected for grant: Advocates for Homeless Families, Inc.

Velma Goodwater; sales manager; Federal Heights, Colo.

  • Nominated for organizing a large volunteer project that included associates from the three Colorado CarMax locations benefitting Autism Society of Colorado, as well her dedicated volunteer service with Project Angel Heart.
  • Nonprofit selected for grant: Center for Work Education and Employment

Dawn Maffett; management assistant; Davie, Fla.

  • Nominated for playing an instrumental role in driving awareness of community needs among her co-workers, which inspires first-time volunteers and creates a sense of volunteer pride within her CarMax store.
  • Nonprofit selected for grant: Ann Storck Center

Nikki Miller; CarMax Auto Finance senior specialist; Kennesaw, Ga.

  • Nominated for participating in more than 10 team volunteer activities this year, as well as her personal dedication to supporting Open Hand and YES Atlanta, where she serves as a mentor.
  • Nonprofit selected for grant: Trinity Rescue Inc.

Jeremy Neuman; sales manager; Urbandale, Iowa

  • Nominated for his dedicated service as a board member of the Waukee Family YMCA, as well as his drive to create impactful volunteer opportunities for his co-workers.
  • Nonprofit selected for grant: YMCA of Greater Des Moines

Chris Petersen; location general manager; Ontario, Calif.

  • Nominated for his work to increase the community involvement of Los Angeles-area CarMax teams and his role as a board member of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater San Diego.
  • Nonprofit selected for grant: Boys & Girls Club of Greater San Diego

Mike Santay; sales manager; Woodbridge, Va.

  • Nominated for organizing more than 10 volunteer events throughout the year, including regular volunteer days at The House, Inc. and Prince William Senior Center at Woodbridge.
  • Nonprofit selected for grant: Fairy Godmother Project

Jenn Weibel; management assistant; Gastonia, N.C.

  • Nominated for rallying her co-workers around important community needs, as well as her personal dedication to helping girls build character and life skills as a Girl Scout troop leader.
  • Nonprofit selected for grant: Hornets’ Nest Girl Scout Council

Kellie Wood; management assistant; Roseville, Calif.

  • Nominated for developing relationships with nonprofit partners to provide meaningful volunteer experiences for her team as they make a difference in the community.
  • Nonprofit selected for grant: NICU at Sutter Roseville Medical Center Foundation