SMYRNA, Del. -

One dealership group in Delaware is encouraging stores to get involved with the National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation — the philanthropic arm of the National Automobile Dealers Association.

Participating in the efforts that  provide financial support to schools, private colleges and universities, emergency disaster relief and community service programs, the Willis Automotive group has created four ambassadorships within the foundation.

“To become an NADA Foundation Ambassador, a dealer, company, association or individual makes a tax-deductible contribution of $10,000 in their name or in recognition of a loved one, living or deceased,” officials noted. “Ambassadors are then eligible to provide $1,500 grants to charities or philanthropic causes every three years in perpetuity.”

Commenting on the foundation and encouraging dealers to become a part of the efforts, William Willis, Jr., president of the Willis Automotive Group in Smyrna, Del., and a board member of the NADA noted, “Every dealer should look at the Ambassadors program as a fantastic opportunity to give back to their community.”

Delving into the dealership group’s efforts within the foundation, officials noted that with $10,000 donations each to the NADA Foundation beginning in 2004, the Willis family created four ambassadorships.

William Willis, Jr., and his brother, Harry Willis; as well as their father, William Willis, and mother, Edna Willis, were named as Ambassadors.

“Donors with three or more gifts of $10,000 to the program receive the title of ‘Ambassadors of Distinction’ and can present $2,000 grants every year in perpetuity,” the association noted. 

“This is the gift that keeps on giving. Grants from my family through the NADA Foundation’s Ambassadors program will continue forever,” William Willis, Jr., added. “My children and their children will be able to donate money to organizations they choose for future generations.”

With an original investment of $40,000, the Willis family has already provided six grants totaling $11,500 to local organizations since 2007, NADA shared, as listed below:
 
•    2007:  North Smyrna Elementary School ($1,500) – William Willis
•    2008:  Delaware Children’s Fire Safety Foundation ($2,000) – William Willis, Jr.
•    2009:  Smyrna/Clayton Boys and Girls Club ($2,000) – Harry Willis
•    2010:  Wesley College, Dover, Del., ($2,000) – William Willis 
•    2011:  Wesley College ($2,000) – William Willis, Jr.
•    2012:  City of Waukee, Iowa, Fire Department ($2,000) – Edna Willis