MAPLEWOOD, N.J. –

Dealerships from all over New Jersey have raised over $500,000 for The Valerie Fund. Currently 177 different dealerships have come together to collect donations for the fund, whose mission is to raise money to support the comprehensive healthcare of children with cancer and blood disorders.

The campaign, titled New Jersey Auto Retailers Unite, began June 1 and will run through September 30, with a celebratory event on September 14 to reveal its “My First Car” coffee table book, featuring first car stories from various New Jersey athletes, celebrities and public figures.

Those that test drive a vehicle between now and August 30 at a participating dealership will receive a voucher for a car giveaway sweepstakes, with nearly 2,000 registrants already tallied for the event. Three additional vouchers are given to those that purchase a vehicle.

James Appleton, the president of the New Jersey Coalition of Auto Retailers, applauds his organizations charitable donations to its community.

“Auto retailers contribute millions of dollars to hundreds of charities every year in virtually every community throughout New Jersey,” Appleton said. “The New Jersey auto retail community has come together like never before to support the thousands of children with cancer and blood disorders and the tremendous care they receive from The Valerie Fund.”

For more information about the New Jersey Auto Retails Unite campaign, The Valerie Fund, and the New Jersey Coalition of Auto Retailers, visit their site here.