FAIRFAX, Va., and MENOMONEE FALLS, Wisc. -

As Sheehy Auto Stores highlighted donations totaling $125,500 to 20 different charities, the Russ Darrow Group recently opened a new showroom specifically to showcase Kia certified pre-owned vehicles.

The group’s Kia Gallery, a new state-of-the-art facility, allows for a display of 12 vehicles on the showroom floor, a 28-stall service department and an eight-vehicle service drive.

The showroom at 1901 N. Mayfair Rd. in Wauwatosa, Wisc., also has a cafe, children's play area, Internet cafe, and a boutique featuring Kia logo apparel.

“The new building also features a customer viewing area to watch vehicles being worked on from the waiting room,” said Kevin Minley, general manager for the Wauwatosa Kia location.

“Customers can have complete confidence that their vehicle is being well maintained by Russ Darrow Kia certified technicians,” Minley continued.

“With the new building, we have increased the number of employees at the dealership,” he went on to say. “With the enhancements made to the vehicle-buying experience, we are confident we will increase the average number of Kia vehicles sold monthly by more than 25 percent.”

The dealership’s service hours were also extended as they now run from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

Renovations also included paving the parking lot and updating sewer lines.

In the spring, the group said, the previous dealership building will be razed and a new body shop will be constructed on the site, adding another 15 to 20 employees at the dealership.

Sheehy Auto Stores’ donations to charities

Sheehy Auto Stores made donations of $125,500 among 20 charities throughout the communities they serve in Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, Va.

The donations are part of Sheehy's annual giving program for 2015 whereby each dealership partners with local non-profit organizations. The announcement coincides with the company’s 50th year anniversary celebration this year.

"Giving back to the community has always been an integral pillar of Sheehy Auto Stores,” president Vince Sheehy said.

“As we continue to grow as a company, we will maintain our commitment to supporting our neighbors and organizations that do much throughout the year to help those in need,” Sheehy added.

In the Washington, D.C. area, $69,000 was donated to charities including:

• Covenant House Washington ($4,000)

• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation ($7,500)

• Ecumenical Community Helping Others ($4,000)

• Fairy Godmother Project Southern Maryland Chapter ($5,000)

• Fauquier County Soccer Club ($8,000)

• The Good Shepherd Housing ($7,500)

• Homeaid of Northern Virginia ($2,500)

• Hospice of Charles County ($5,000)

• Housing and Community Services of Northern Virginia ($7,500)

• The Lamb Center ($3,000)

• SERVE ($10,000)

• Trail for Youth ($5,000)

Non-profit organizations in Baltimore that received $30,500 included:

• Anne Arundel Medical Center ($15,000)

• Anne Arundel County CASA ($7,500)

• Arundel House of Hope ($8,000)

In the Richmond market, $26,000 was distributed to:

• Alzheimer’s Association Greater Richmond Chapter ($6,000)

• Ashland Christian Emergency Services ($2,500)

• Hanover County Habitat for Humanity ($2,500)

• Mercy Mall of Virginia ($12,000)

• Young Life Hanover ($3,000)