Ally Financial and TIME hosted a celebration last week to honor 2016 TIME Dealer of the Year winner Mary Catherine “Kitty” Van Bortel.

The TIME Dealer of the Year Award honors franchised new-vehicle dealers for exceptional performance in their dealerships and distinguished community service.

Van Bortel was selected from a group of 50 nominees across the country; her selection was announced at the National Automobile Dealers Association Convention in Las Vegas on April 1.

During the celebration event, which was held at Van Bortel Ford in East Rochester, N.Y., Van Bortel was recognized for the success of her dealership, which she started on her own with only a small investment, and for the outstanding contributions she has made to the Rochester community in supporting numerous nonprofit organizations.

“On behalf of the entire team at Ally, we are delighted to recognize Kitty Van Bortel and her efforts to make a difference in her community,” Tom Kolski, regional vice president of sales at Ally, said in a news release. “The TIME Dealer of the Year program was created to highlight dealers across the country that give back to their communities, and Kitty is a wonderful example of a business and community leader who cares deeply and gives generously.”

Van Bortel, who received a bachelor’s degree from Wells College in Aurora, N.Y., founded her first used-car dealership in the front yard of her home in Victor, N.Y., in 1985 with a $500 investment. She moved it to a 3-acre lot in 1990 and quickly gained momentum. In 1991 she was able to build a 6,000-square-foot facility in Victor to house Van Bortel Subaru, and later opened Van Bortel Ford and Van Bortel Chevrolet.

Van Bortel is passionate about giving back to the community. As an advocate of early screening and detection of breast cancer, she has supported the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, speaking at numerous events and making financial contributions. In honor of her efforts, Ally presented an $11,000 grant to the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester. 

“We are overjoyed that Kitty Van Bortel has been chosen for this prodigious recognition, and honored that she has dedicated this grant to our organization,” said Holly Anderson, executive director of the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester. “Kitty is a remarkable leader and an inspiration to so many people living in the aftermath of a diagnosis of breast cancer.  We are tremendously grateful to her for her efforts in helping us provide quality programming and services to the thousands of survivors in our region. She is truly our hero.”

Other organizations Van Bortel supports include the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House in Rochester; The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children; American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure (fundraising cycling event ); Warrior Salute (assists veterans as they transition back to civilian life); Victor/Farmington Food Cupboard (Thanksgiving baskets); IAC Kids: It’s About Caring for Kids (help families in the Greater Rochester region going through financial hardships due to their child’s severe illness); House of Mercy in Rochester (homeless shelter and advocacy group); Open Door Mission in Rochester (homeless shelter); Catholic Charities USA and many other local organizations.

Van Bortel has received several awards for her community service and business leadership, including the 2009 Herbert W. Vanden Brul Entrepreneurial Award from the Saunders School of Business at Rochester Institute of Technology; the 2011 Athena Award from the Women’s Council of the Rochester Business Alliance; and the 2009 Rochester Women’s Network “W” Award.