RICHMOND, Va. -

Nine CarMax associates were recognized this week as recipients of the third annual CarMax Cares Community Service Award, the company announced.  

The award honors personal volunteer efforts and leadership in community giving, with associates nominated from across the country.

Winners, who each selected a nonprofit organization to receive a $5,000 grant on their behalf from The CarMax Foundation, were honored at the company’s largest recognition event of the year.

The CarMax Cares Community Service Award winners and the selected nonprofits are:

  • Nathan Arrazate, service consultant, Jacksonville, Fla.

Arrazateled CarMax teams in numerous volunteer events to benefit Jacksonville organizations such as Trinity Rescue Mission, Habitat for Humanity and Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary. He has also led projects and donation drives to support City Rescue Mission, which will receive the $5,000 grant in support of its work to transform the lives of the homeless.

  • Kairand Bellinger, sales manager, Tucson, Ariz.

Bellinger coordinated nearly 20 volunteer projects in one year for his store team with organizations including the YMCA, Humane Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the Children’s Museum of Tucson. He chose California YMCA Youth & Government to receive the $5,000 grant.

  • Justin Booker, buyer, Madison, Tenn.

Booker coordinated or was part of events that benefitted Nashville Zoo, Special Olympics, Wounded Warrior Project and the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program. Special Kids, which offers support services for children with special needs, will receive the $5,000 grant on his behalf.  

  • Travis Kennon, sales manager, Las Vegas

Kennonhas mentored youth with Omega Psi Phi for 20 years and chose its scholarship program to receive the $5,000 grant. His work with the organization includes helping underprivileged youth prepare for job and scholarship interviews, and assisting with fundraising events. He also works with Omega Gents, visiting the homeless and elderly and holding winter clothing drives.

  • Racquel Martinez, service operator, Austin, Texas

Martinez coordinated multiple volunteer projects in the past year, and also puts in extra effort to ensure that both Austin CarMax locations can be a part of each event to benefit local charities. She chose Foster Angels of Central Texas to receive the $5,000 grant, to help improve the lives of children in foster care.

  • Lauren Packett, auction services marketing coordinator, Richmond, Va.

    Packett has dedicated her time to organizations such as Special Olympics, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity, March of Dimes and Boys & Girls Clubs. She also volunteers with Richmond SPCA, which will receive the $5,000 grant.
     

  • Tim Reeves, production technician, Greensboro, N.C.

Reeves has committed years of Saturdays to The Arc of Greensboro as a head baseball coach for a team of young people with special needs. Fellow employees, at his urging, have joined him as assistant coaches, and he participates in other CarMax team events that benefit various Greensboro charities. The Arc of Greensboro will receive the $5,000 grant on his behalf.

  • Rebecca Sckrabulis, location general manager, Oak Lawn, Ill.

Sckrabulishas led countless teams in events to benefit organizations like American Cancer Society, Toys for Tots, Boys & Girls Clubs, The Bridge Teen Center and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. She has also participated in wellness-focused events hosted by Girls on the Run Chicago, the organization she chose to receive the $5,000 grant.

  • Brittany Shytles, sales consultant, Newport News, Va.

Through Shytles’ leadership, FoodBank of the Virginia Peninsula has hosted CarMax volunteers numerous times over the last several years for programs like Backpacks for Kids and Kids’ Café. Shytles also coordinated a team for the March of Dimes March for Babies charity walk. The FoodBank will receive the $5,000 grant.