ATLANTA and MEMPHIS, Tenn. -

The latest respective philanthropic efforts by Manheim and Dealer’s Auto Auctions are designed to help some worthy constituencies — military veterans and impoverished youth.

Basketball fans might remember this name from the 1990s: Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway. Dealer’s Auto Auctions kicked off a two-day fundraising campaign with a silent, and not-so-silent auction of some of Hardaway’s NBA memorabilia with proceeds going toward Penny’s FastBreak Courts, an inner-city youth sports training program for youngsters in the Memphis area.

In hopes of providing area children the opportunity to play in a better environment, the former University of Memphis and NBA star announced plans for a 100,000-square-foot facility with a championship court and six additional regulation courts.

Lexus of Memphis hosted the opening fundraising event, and DAA Memphis general manager Phillip Butler brought the hands up to bid top dollar on several items, culminating in a $6,500 winning bid for a Schwinn WHIZZER motor bike.

David Andrews, chief executive officer of City Enterprises, was heard to say “it took a five iron and several auctioneers” to raise more than $100,000 for a good friend’s charitable fund that has been close to his heart for quite some time.

The second day of the campaign is when the five-irons came into play at the Spring Creek Ranch Golf Course, where pros were matched with dealers for a tournament to benefit Hardaway’s project.

“With declining government funds and facilities for youth sports, we knew it would be a challenge for Penny to raise the funds while still trying to keep his program going in the interim,” Andrews said. “This was a cause our entire company could — and did — get their hearts around.”

The $20 million facility would house seven basketball courts, including a 2,000-seat arena, a rehabilitation clinic and classrooms for tutoring. The facility also would be used for volleyball, wrestling, cheerleading and other indoor sports.

Hardaway says it’s a way to give back to the city. Hardaway made a mark early in his NBA career when he teamed with Shaquille O’Neal to lead the Orlando Magic to the league’s championship finals. He also was part of a notable Nike campaign highlighted in commercials like this one.

"I grew up on a dirt basketball court, just trying to play the best way I could," Hardaway said. "Then I was with the Boys Club, which was really my savior, because it allowed me to go and play away from my neighborhood, to have the peace of mind to be able to do the things I wanted to do."

Mark Hopkins, national fleet lease manager for Dealers Auto Auction, added, “We believe in Penny’s vision, and how important he felt it was to build a facility that can house these kids and help direct their life away from the gangs and dangerous influences found in many inner-city communities.”

Special Auction to Benefit Purple Heart Service Foundation

The Purple Heart Service Foundation and Manheim are partnering to offer a special charity classic car sale at Manheim Fredericksburg beginning at 11:30 ET on Oct. 2.

Organizers highlighted these rare and valuable classic cars all were donated to Purple Heart Services to be auctioned off to raise money to help continue this organization’s mission of more than 50 years of providing valuable services and benefits to all veterans.

The dealer-only event will include live bidding from dealers in the lanes and making offers online. This special sale will feature more than 60 classic cars, including a 1928 Ford Model A Coupe, a 1971 Mustang Fastback and a 1951 Daimler Hooper Empress.

The profits from the auction of Purple Heart Cars make it possible for The Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation to provide emotional, physical, educational and financial support for wounded and disabled veterans, to help improve their lives. Programs include suicide prevention, support for veterans with brain injuries, counseling for post-traumatic stress (PTS) and assistance for women’s health issues — all common challenges for veterans,” according to the organization.

The Purple Heart Service Foundation also provides scholarships, family assistance, claims assistance and employment training. Family members can get support, learning how to help disabled veterans to cope with their physical, emotional and behavioral challenges.

For more information, visit www.PurpleHeartFoundation.org.

Manheim Showcases Investments Totaling More Than $100 Million

Along with its latest charity work, Manheim highlighted that it is investing more than $100 million during three years in its North American auctions.

Officials explained the investment, which started last year, includes various facility upgrades and renovations, lane improvements, energy saving projects and a long-term modernization initiative that will significantly improve how employees and customers interact.

To date, Manheim pointed out this initiative has automated how sales are set up at auction, reducing this task from two days to two hours and replacing paper-based vehicle lists with a new mobile tool that creates more efficient routes for auction drivers.

Here are some examples of the company’s largest projects:

• Auction Modernization Initiative:  This long-term, multi-million dollar redesign effort will take advantage of new technologies to greatly improve auction processes and enable employees to spend more time interacting with customers. Tapping employees’ auction expertise, including having them help customers navigate more effectively through physical and digital sales, is what customers told Manheim they valued.  

• Renovations and facility upgrades at Manheim Chicago, Manheim Denver, Manheim Fort Lauderdale, Manheim Lakeland and Manheim Louisville:  New lane upgrades and the addition of a double-block lane set-up were implemented at Manheim Chicago this year. These improvements double the space of each lane, allowing medium to smaller-size cars to run down the lanes together.

Manheim Denver received 11 new auction blocks, while Manheim Louisville underwent significant remodeling that resulted in a larger lobby area that offers customers more space. This location also opened a new digital lounge where dealers can access digital tools such as iPads to buy and sell vehicles. Manheim Fort Lauderdale will receive a larger dealer sales area and new digital lounge by November. A new canopy was installed at the vehicle entry area at Manheim Lakeland, allowing enough space for reports on up to four cars to be written simultaneously under cover from the weather.  

• eGate Transportation Enhancements: Working with Ready Auto Transport, Manheim launched a new electronic gate pass process at all auction locations. This enhancement improves vehicle delivery time for buyers at auction.  Ready Auto Transport now can electronically deliver eGate passes for all customer vehicles directly to its 6,500-member qualified carrier network, making the pickup of vehicles from the auction faster and more efficient.

• Enhanced Vehicle Imaging Suite:  This product, unveiled earlier this year, can offer customers high resolution image quality along with up to 15 vehicle images with “heat map” graphics that can help buyer quickly assess vehicle condition. Each location also offers a dedicated photo staff in an attempt to ensure consistent image quality and standards across all Manheim locations. This suite is now offered at 20 locations in North America. 

• Alternative Energy: During the last year, Manheim installed approximately 9,000 solar panels across Manheim Albany, Manheim New Jersey, Manheim New York, Manheim North Carolina and Manheim San Diego.  Solar panels are supporting local efforts to reduce energy consumption.  At Manheim New Jersey, 4,000 of the total panels complete the final phase of its 7,700 solar panel array. Since 2007, Cox, Manheim and its affiliated foundations have invested millions in sustainability and conservation through operations projects and grants to environmental nonprofits.

“As we celebrate our 70th anniversary next year, it’s an exciting time to recognize the role that auctions have played in the past and the important role they will play in our future,” said Janet Barnard, Manheim North America executive vice president and chief operating officer.

“Our goal is to continue to invest in areas within our auctions that make it easier for customers to do business, while freeing up time for our employees to deliver the type of service our customers have come to expect,” Barnard added.