Mercedes-Benz of The Woodlands, a Texas dealer near Houston that opened earlier this year, has announced that it plans to donate 100 percent of its new profits from the month of July to the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund and the Texas Children’s Hospital.
All net profits from vehicle sales, service visits and other transactions conducted at the dealership in July will go to support the two organizations.
“As a local and privately owned business we can support our community in ways that big companies simply cannot,” said Joe Agresti, the dealership’s president. “We believe we have a social responsibility to lead local business leaders in supporting the local community.”
This announcement follows the dealership’s April pledge of nearly $200,000 to the same two organizations as well as The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival and the Interfaith of The Woodlands. Sixty of the dealership’s employees also donated $6,000 in food, toiletries and other household products to Interfaith of The Woodlands’ food pantry in April.
“Being a new dealership in The Woodlands, we were thrilled to be able to take a team building event and expand it into a generous community donation,” said Bob Milner, the dealership’s co-owner and general manager, via blog post. “I can’t thank the Mercedes-Benz team enough for their hard work and dedication to making a difference for individuals and families in need.”
In other charitable dealer news, Michael Brown, owner and partner at the Atlantic Auto Group well as NY Auto Giant, has been honored by Make-A-Wish Suffolk County, NY, Inc. for his philanthropic efforts.
Brown was “knighted” during Princess Nikolina’s Royal Ball while granting the leukemia patient’s wish of becoming a princess.
“I like princesses; they don’t go to school, they ride horses, they tell the maid and butler what to do, they wear really long, beautiful dresses, they have really pretty beds with canopies and wear pretty blue gowns with light purple slippers and are served chicken nuggets on a golden platter,” the seven-year-old said.
Nikolina has begun her own charity, Nikolina’s Attic, which holds an annual tag sales and donates all proceeds to the purchase of toys for seriously ill children. Check out more on that here.
Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) announced last week that a recent donation of an exclusive 2016 MX-5 Launch Edition donated by Mazda Drive for Good to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital raised $50,000 for the charity.
The fundraiser was held during the inaugural St. Jude Hope in the Hamptons event held on July 11.
"We set aside one of the MX-5 Launch Editions for a special occasion such as this and when the opportunity arose to be part of the St. Jude Hope in the Hamptons event, we felt this was the perfect way to support a great charity partner," said Russell Wager, vice president of marketing, MNAO. "St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does amazing things to help kids who are faced with horrible illness and we are honored to help raise money for their cause any chance we get."
The Mazda Drive for Good arm — the company’s charitable program launched in 2013 — donated a 2016 MX-5 Launch Edition, which came in Soul Red with a Sport Tan leather interior, an exclusive color combination for the model-year in the U.S.
“Bedecked with features found in the MX-5 Grand Touring and available with either a SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, the Launch Edition provides drivers and passengers with all of the thrills associated with MX-5 in a package that is sure to delight with its luxury and exclusivity as well,” the company shared.
Launch Edition customers also receive a special plaque in their car's driver-side doorjamb with Launch Edition badging, a Mazda-badged Bose Mini SoundLink portable stereo system and a box of gifts from Mazda's Heritage Collection apparel line.
MVTRAC president Luke Smith recently was named the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's 2015 Man of the Year. Collectively, Smith along with the other candidates from the Illinois chapter raised more than $600,000 to help cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
The 10-week campaign held in more than 80 cities across the nation required candidates to raise donations through selling tickets to LLS events, hosting private fundraisers and procuring items for the silent and live auctions during the Grand Finale Gala.
“Regardless of winning, it was an immense privilege to be nominated as a candidate and represent a foundation that is essential towards the eventual cure of blood related diseases,” Smith said.
“All of the candidates for the event are tremendous individuals and it is an honor to have competed alongside them towards a great cause," he added.
Over the years, officials highlighted contributions toward LLS events have been responsible for blood cancer advancements that have doubled, tripled, and in some cases quadrupled the survival rate for certain blood cancers.
Furthermore, many LLS supported therapies not only help blood cancer patients, but are also now used to treat patients with rare forms of stomach and skin cancers and are in clinical trials for patients with lung, brain, breast, pancreatic and prostate cancers. LLS-funded drugs, targeted therapies and immunotherapies are now saving thousands of lives every day and are only possible through the generous donations derived from events such as MWOY.
“I want to express a sincere and heartfelt thank you to everyone for the endless support, contributions and encouragement throughout the campaign,” Smith said.
“Only through the backing of family, friends and colleagues does anyone have a chance at achieving tremendous results,” he continued. “The fact that we’re close to the cure for blood diseases is a true testament to what you have all committed, and for that, I am grateful. On behalf of blood cancer patients everywhere, thank you for your support.”
For more information about LLS, or to continue supporting LLS research and cures, visit www.lls.org.
Sheehy Auto Stores Inc. announced Monday it passed its annual campaign goal to raise more than $200,000 to benefit the American Heart Association.
The dealer group also sold 6,500 vehicles in 54 days as part of the company’s 18th annual Sheehy 6,0000 sales charity event.
"With the support of our customers, our business partners and our staff, we are pleased to announce a record-breaking fund-raising effort during the Sheehy 6000," said Vince Sheehy, president of Sheehy Auto Stores.
"Partnering with the American Heart Association, we have been able to support a worthy cause while reinforcing the importance of maintaining heart health with events we sponsored for our employees and visitors to many of our dealerships," Sheehy continued.
On top of the large portion of sales benefitting the charity, the dealer group also mentioned that Sheehy dealers throughout Washington D.C., Richmond, Va. and Baltimore, Md. led community outreach initiatives that included speakers, giveaways, cooking demonstrations and event sponsorships.
And internally, over 100 Sheehy employees participated in Lunch & Learn events, which featured healthy cooking demonstrations and other heart-healthy tips.
"We are so grateful for the generous support of the Sheehy Auto Stores staff and customers throughout the region, which will go directly to aiding our mission of ending cardiovascular diseases and stroke," said Michelle Nostheide of the American Heart Association. "We are also proud that our partnership has resulted in increased heart health awareness for thousands of our neighbors through walking events, Lunch and Learns, CPR trainings, cooking demonstrations and more."
FCA Foundations donates $62K to 17 North Central Indiana community groups
In other philanthropic news stemming from the auto industry, it was recently announced the FCA Foundation, the charitable arm of FCA U.S. LLC, awarded grants totaling more than $62,000 to 17 Kokomo and Tipton, Ind., area community organizations and programs that serve youth development and education, senior citizens, veterans and multicultural activities.
"We're focused on strengthening our community and the region with vital programs and services that provide support for those in need," said Bob Varsanik, general manager of transmission and component operations at FCA U.S. "We hope by joining forces with our friends and neighbors we can help better the lives of individuals and families where we live."
The FCA Foundation awarded grants, which ranged from $1,500 to $10,000, will go to support the following organizations and programs:
- Advantage Housing – affordable housing program for veterans and others with special needs
- Boys and Girls Club of Tipton – youth development, recreation, tutoring and leadership programs for children and young adults
- Family Services Association – education, prevention and crisis intervention for women and children
- Encore Elderly Transportation Services – providing rides for Senior Citizens in Tipton County who are not able to drive themselves to medical and basic living services
- Encore Food Pantry – serving the basic living needs of Tipton County residents
- Guardian Angel Foundation – medical and educational support for terminally ill patients and grief and bereavement camp for children and families
- Habitat for Humanity Kokomo – new home construction
- Howard County Community Foundation – re-development and building civic responsibility
- Howard County Public Library – educational and children programming to support literacy
- Joe Thatcher Benefit – academic, social and emotional support and development for children
- Kokomo Automotive Museum – program support to continue the heritage of Howard County
- Kokomo Rescue Mission – support for the homeless, hungry, and hurting in Howard County
- Kokomo Urban Outreach – support for families, including free food pantry and child development programs
- Project Access – free healthcare services for uninsured and homeless
- Samaritan Caregivers – volunteer support for in-home Senior Citizens not able to fully care for themselves
- Special Olympics – year-round physical training and "Olympic" competition for mentally and physically challenged residents
- The Crossing – alternative high school providing vocational training, job placement, emotional support and mentoring for at-risk students
"As a company, we are committed to making service to others part of our daily mission," said Jody Trapasso, senior vice president of external affairs for FCA North America and president of the FCA Foundation.
"Over the years, we've invested more than half a billion dollars in charitable organizations to help build strong communities, while our volunteer activities have impacted millions of lives," Trapasso continued. "The result is stronger, more stable communities, both in our backyard and around the world."
Account Control Technology (ACT), a provider in delivering debt recovery and business process outsourcing solutions, recently was named the 2015 Corporate Partner of the Year in the Non-Profit & Corporate Citizenship Awards sponsored by the Los Angeles Business Journal.
The award is given to a “for-profit organization in recognition of its impact to single or multiple nonprofit organizations through financial contributions, fundraising efforts or non-financial contributions.”
Founded in 1990 by Dale and Debbie Van Dellen, ACT highlighted that it has made community involvement and charitable support a part of its culture for 25 years.
In 2013, ACT established the Account Control Technology Foundation, which each year awards $50,000 in college scholarships in addition to donating to other charities and community programs.
To date, the ACT Foundation has awarded nearly $200,000 in scholarships and other donations.
The ACT Foundation also works to build financial literacy and debt management awareness. In 2015, the Foundation launched a new site at www.AccountControlFoundation.org which provides young people direction into managing their finances, particularly when it comes to funding their education and controlling student debt.
In 2014, ACT and its employees donated $32,014 to Susan G. Komen to support the organization’s work to end breast cancer, and they contributed nearly $5,000 to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Additional organizations recently receiving support from ACT and its employees include local Boys & Girls Clubs, food banks and hunger programs, health and emergency charities, local schools, children in need, local women’s shelters, Toys for Tots, Project Graduation events, animal welfare organizations and additional charities.
And because of those efforts, ACT now has this award on its mantle.
“It’s an honor to receive this distinction as part of an awards program that recognizes organizations working to make the world a better place,” said Dale Van Dellen, chairman of ACT Holdings.
“ACT employees have been active in charitable and community activities throughout the company’s history, and receiving the award for corporate citizenship recognizes our employees’ volunteerism, generosity, community spirit and dedication to service,” Van Dellen added.
Dealer’s Auto Auction Huntsville announced recently that it raised over $25,000 during its 11th anniversary sale to benefit The Boys & Girls Club of North Alabama.
The annual event held at the end of June featured a cookout, live music and prizes while being attended by local dignitaries, civic leaders as well as dealers from across the southeast of the U.S.
Roger Fields, the auction’s general manager, commented on the success of the fundraiser.
“For the past several years, we have used this special event to give back to some very deserving charities that impact our community,” Fields said. “2015 is our biggest year to date, and it’s because our dealers and our staff care about more than just selling vehicles.”
The donation was drawn from a combination of auction fees and donations from partnering dealers and the companies that fall under the City Enterprises umbrella, the auction’s parent company.
“The fact that these auction partners were willing to support us locally speaks volumes about DAA of Huntsville,” said Beth Wheeler Morring, the director of resource development for The Boys & Girls Club of North Alabama. “Because of their overwhelming generosity and support, the lives of the children in our community will truly be changed.”
To learn more about the DAA family of auctions, visit its site here.
The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association announced today the recipients of the organization’s 2015 Scholarship Awards at the 69th Annual NIADA Convention and Expo at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
The NIADA Foundation, each year, sponsors a student in each of the association’s four regions with a $3,500 scholarship to the college or university of his or her choice. The foundation and Cox Automotive also award one $10,000 national scholarship once a year for an exceptional student to help them attend or continue his or her education at Northwood University in Midland, Mich. in an automotive-related field.
Here are this year’s 5 scholarship winners:
- NIADA/Cox Automotive National Scholarship: Alesandra D’Agostino, who just completed her first year at Northwood University.
- Region I: Emma Hammer of Indianapolis.
- Region II: Philip Hetzler of Matthews, N.C.
- Region III: Cash Forster of Washington, Okla.
- Region IV: Maxence Weyrich of Boonville, Calif.
All of the students’ entries were judged by Northwood University.
In related news, ADESA, AFC and IAA helped raised $27,500 for the NIADA Foundation on Wednesday. Andy Gabler, of Lakeside Auto Sales in Erie, Pa., won a bidding war for a Mercedes C250W during the NIADA Convention. The three auction companies donated the vehicle where all proceeds of its sale will be used to help the NIADA Foundation.
Over the past three years, ADESA/AFC/IAA-sponsored auctions at the NIADA Convention have raised a total of $69,700 for the NIADA Foundation.
For more on this year’s NIADA Convention, click here.
The Henderson Hyundai Superstore announced Monday that it has received a Guinness World Record for orchestrating the largest-ever parade of Hyundai vehicles.
Henderson Hyundai, the No. 1-rated Hyundai dealer in Nevada three years running on DealerRater, hosted the parade event in December to honor National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. The dealership invited local Hyundai owners to participate, pledging a donation to STOP DUI, a local organization dedicated to bringing awareness to the consequences of intoxicated driving, for each participant.
The parade reached a final tally of 218 Hyundai vehicle participants and donated $4,000 to STOP DUI. The world record was previously held by UAB SDG, a Lithuanian business consulting firm.
“Our goal was to give our clients and community members an opportunity to actively participate in bringing awareness to a problem that is devastating families in our area,” said Frank Maione, the superstore’s owner. “We are very proud to be recognized internationally through Guinness World Records for an initiative that underlines our commitment to our community and to our customers.”
Henderson Hyundai will host its official celebration for all participants and the public on Saturday at the dealership, where its official Guinness World Record Certificates of Participation will be presented to all parade participants.
Check out the dealership’s video on the parade at the top of this story.
ADESA announced that it has made several enhancements to the ADESA.com website.
“Our team is constantly evaluating our online offerings and communicating with our customers about their experience,” said Stéphane St-Hilaire, the company’s president and chief executive officer. “We utilize this feedback to continuously develop and implement creative solutions that streamline and enhance user experience and drive additional value for our customers.”
The enhancements, as noted by ADESA, include the following:
- High-resolution vehicle images
- Updated ADESA Market Guide (AMG)
- Quick link to join LiveBlock
- LiveBlock start times on vehicle entries
- Layout improvements to printable run lists
- New search functions
For more information, check out the ADESA website.
In related news, three members of the KAR Auction Services group — ADESA, AFC and Insurance Auto Auctions — have donated a vehicle as part of the benefit event at the 2015 National Independent Automobile Dealers Association Convention and Expo at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
The vehicle, a loaded 2013 Mercedes C250W, will benefit the NIADA Foundation during the 69th annual convention – the auction will begin at 2:30 p.m. on June 24.
The entirety of the proceeds will go to the NIADA Foundation, which has a commitment to charitable giving and awards scholarships to future college students around the U.S. and provides education opportunities to dealers and members of the general public.
The C-Class features an automatic package, leather, glass sunroof, sport suspension and sports styling, and a rear-deck spoiler — with only 19,721 miles and a clear vehicle history report. The vehicle will be held on display during the convention, which starts on June 22. ADESA will transport the vehicle for free to the winning bidder to any location in the country.
The trio of companies have raised a total of $42,000 for the NIADA Foundation over the past two years; last year’s event hosted the sale of a 2011 BMW 328xi, which sold for $23,400.
ADESA announced that its subsidiary, AutoVIN, has closed its acquisition of DataScan Field Services, a vehicle inspection business.
“The closing of this acquisition allows us to move forward with new and improved services for our customers,” said Stephane St-Hilaire, ADESA’s president and chief executive officer. “Combining the best of what both companies have to offer is a win for everyone. We welcome 500 new employees to the KAR group of companies, and are excited to provide an improved product for our customers.”
DataScan leverages Internet-based technology for its vehicle inspection services for auto manufacturers, financial institutions, leasing companies and warranty companies.
Brasher’s Rallies Support for Family Member
The Brasher’s Northwest Auto Auction as well as Brasher’s Portland recently hosted its Brasher’s Golf Challenge, which it has held annually since 2007 to help defray the medical costs of Natasha Melton, the youngest daughter of Mark Melton, the general manager of Brasher’s Northwest, the former of which works to overcome the effects of spina bifida.
Now 15 years old and in high school, Natasha has undergone 26 surgeries so far but remains as active and positive in life as possible. The annual golf challenge, which was this year hosted at the Langdon Farms Golf Club in Aurora, Oregon, has raised over $170,000 since the first benefit to help manage the medical costs associated with her treatments. This year’s tournament raised a total of $27,680.
“Because of your generosity over all these years you have helped my family in such a huge way,” she said, following the tournament. “I am so grateful for the generous gift I have received every year as a result of the Brasher’s Golf Challenge. It has opened a world of wonder for me.”
All proceeds from the tournament go toward the funding of Natasha’s medical costs and equipment. In the past, the proceeds have helped pay for tutoring, wheelchairs, crutches and more.
