Congratulating supporters for their generosity, organizers of the Recovery Agents Benefit Fund (RABF) highlighted the program’s success during the past year, which helped more than 50 families and distributed more than $250,000.
RABF organizers indicated individuals asked for assistance from the fund because of falling on what they described as “exceptionally hard times” due to debilitating injury, illness or death.
“This includes times when the fund was called upon because families did not have the money required to pay the expenses to complete their loved one’s burial,” organizers said.
RABF is available to anyone in the industry regardless of their trade group affiliation or insurance provider, whether they are an owner or an employee.
“Requests for disbursements are reviewed on a case by case basis,” organizers said.
Individuals or companies can support RABF by going to www.recoveryagentsbenefitfund.org.
More details about RABF also are highlighted in the above video.
Manheim Louisville is set to host its Cruisin’ for Wishes car show and fundraiser next week, the proceeds of which will benefit Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.
Scheduled for May 16, this will be the first year the annual car, truck and bike show will benefit this specific chapter of the Make-A-Wish foundation.
“We are honored that Manheim Louisville and its employees have chosen to give back to Make-A-Wish through their Cruisin’ for Wishes car show,” said Alana Karl, Make-A-Wish’s development officer. “Local wishes are made possible by the support of the community, and the funds raised through this event will help touch even more kids and their families with an unforgettable wish come true.”
The car show will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. next Saturday at Manheim Louisville; registration will begin at 9 a.m. The event will be free and open to the public.
Those interested in showcasing a classic car at the event have until May 11 to benefit from the early registration fee of $15; it will cost $20 after that.
Manheim Louisville is expecting to showcase more than 100 vehicles. Prizes at the event will include best in show as well as first, second and third places for individual brands. The event will also feature door prizes, raffles and food for the attendees. The auction is still recruiting vehicle owners to showcase their classic cars, trucks and motorcycles.
“Please join us and show off your beautiful car, truck or motorcycle and help children at the same time,” said David Kaflik, the auction’s general manager. “This fundraiser can really make the difference in the lives of many children and their families.”
2015 Warren Young Scholarship Winners
In other auction news, the Warren Young Sr. Scholastic Foundation announced today that it has selected the 12 student recipients of its 2015 scholarship. The foundation, established in 2004 by the National Auto Auction Association, awards a total of $52,000 annually via a dozen merit scholarships for full-time study.
Annual recipients are chosen based on academic record, leadership skills, honors, goals and aspirations, work experience and community involvement. The awards range from $3,000 for two-year college or vocational-technical school programs up to $5,000 for four-year programs.
“Over the years our Scholastic Foundation has helped dozens of deserving students from the NAAA family pursue their dreams of a higher education, thanks to the benevolent spirit and generous support of member auction and their affiliates,” said Ellie Johnson, NAAA president.
To see the full list of the 12 students selected from the 60 applications received, see the image above.
Mazda North American Operations announced today that it has made a $1 million donation to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital to aid the latter’s efforts in researching and treating childhood cancers and other life-threatening diseases.
The donation was made through the Mazda Drive for Good program, which ran from Nov. 21 to Jan. 2, aiming to donate $150 for every new Mazda vehicle purchased or leased during the time period to one of four national or 44 local charities chosen by the customer.
“Mazda’s donation to St. Jude helps them achieve their mission of reducing the cancer rate among children and allows them to continue their treatment without ever giving a patient’s family a bill,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and chief executive officer at MNAO. “However, this donation would never have been possible without the donations being directed by our customers throughout the month of December during the Mazda Drive for Good event. So, while this donation comes from Mazda Drive for Good, it is really a direct result of our customers wanting to give to St. Jude.”
Mazda has also pledged an hour of charitable service for every test drive of a new Mazda vehicle that was taken during the event, which ended up totaling over 66,000. The company’s employees, dealers and business partners plan to work together to contribute the service hours pledged.
For more information about the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and its endeavors, click here.
DCH Auto Group, which is a part of Lithia Motors, is calling attention to teen driving safety this month as part of Global Youth Traffic Safety Month (GYTSM).
Officials highlighted that throughout May, all DCH Auto Group dealerships in New Jersey, New York and California will be sponsoring activities to raise awareness about how to keep young drivers safe on our roads and highways.
Throughout the month, each DCH dealership will display the symbolic gray ribbon, the recognized symbol for GYTSM, to show DCH’s support for this vital cause.
The group emphasized May is an important time for teens to be focused on driving safety.
“With prom, graduation and summer trips just ahead, the potential for traffic-related deaths and injuries that involve young drivers and passengers increases alarmingly,” DCH said.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2013 close to 2,500 teens were killed in vehicle crashes. Of the teens (aged 13-19) that died in passenger vehicle crashes, NHTSA noted approximately 55 percent were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
That's why DCH Auto Group and its partners, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS), and numerous likeminded organizations across the globe are raising awareness all month long to educate teens about safe driving habits.
To kick off this month of awareness in New Jersey, DCH Brunswick Toyota partnered with Edison High School to sponsor a Distracted Driving Summit at the high school campus. Throughout the day, students had the opportunity to take part in activities designed to raise awareness about seat belt usage, texting and driving, and other distractions that can result in tragedy.
Then on Monday, all DCH dealerships will participate in a promotion with teenSMART, an evidence based, scientifically proven program to build crash avoidance skills resulting in fewer crashes with less severe outcomes. The program includes computer-based driving simulations, video based instruction, in-car driving exercises and a certification test.
Upon completion of the certification test, participants can receive a certificate that can entitle them to a discount on their automobile insurance premiums of up to 20 percent.
From May 12 through May 15, DCH Safe Driving Foundation is partnering with Toyota TeenDrive365, SADD and NOYS, sponsoring activities at New Jersey high schools, where students will have an opportunity to experience Toyota's state-of-the-art driving simulator.
“Unlike other simulators, this device is installed in a Toyota Corolla, where you can test your skills behind the wheel of the car as you drive in a virtual space, while operating the controls of an actual vehicle,” group officials said.
Since 2008, DCH Auto Group, in keeping with the company's core values, has focused its charitable giving, local community involvement, and grass roots activism to the cause of teen safe driving.
The group, with 27 dealerships in New Jersey, New York, and California, formed the DCH Auto Group Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit charity, to further the company’s message that distracted driving, especially among new and young drivers, is dangerous and potentially deadly.
DCH is also a member of The National Safety Council Coalition on Teen Driving.
“Through the company’s involvement with this coalition, DCH is working to raise awareness among parents of young drivers about the importance of the graduated driver’s license, and the importance of parents playing an active part in their child's driver education,” officials said.
Enterprise Car Sales announced today that its locations near Kansas City will help raise funds for the March of Dimes Greater Kansas organization to help support the nonprofit’s Kansas City March for Babies event on May 3.
The Enterprise locations in Independence, Mo. and Merriam, Kan. Will donate $100 for every vehicle sold in April to the nonprofit organization, with their sites on the goal of raising at least $10,000. Nearly a dozen Enterprise sales employees will also join Multiples of Kansas City in the Kansas City March for Babies walk to raise awareness and funds for research and programs.
“The well-being of our business and the communities where we operate go hand-in-hand,” said Kevin Furderer, the general manager of Enterprise Car Sales in Kansas City. “The March of Dimes has touched the lives of thousands of families, including several of our employees, and we are invested in this important effort.”
Kenneth Jackson, the state director for March of Dimes Kansas City, looks forward to continuing the relationship his organization has with Enterprise.
“As a family-owned company with deep ties in the community, Enterprise is an ideal partner to support our mission,” Jackson said. “Through its generous sponsorship of the Kansas City March for Babies, Enterprise Car Sales is supporting crucial research, community services, education and advocacy to help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies.”
More information on the March of Dimes Greater Kansas and its endeavors can be found here.
The Mazda Foundation, the OEM’s philanthropic arm, is teaming up with the After-School All-Stars to help bring awareness to the dangers of distracted driving.
The Atlanta chapter of the After-School All-Stars — a provider of year-round afterschool programs — is partnering with the Mazda Foundation and Project Yellow Light to host the upcoming “Super Saturday Service Day,” to focus on the dangers of losing focus while behind the wheel.
The upcoming carnival-style event will feature student performances in the form of skits, dance, poems and speeches to help illustrate the dangers driving distracted poses to community safety.
Organizers also said Ben Albino, the 2014 MAZDASPEED Pro Challenge runner up, the 2013 MAZDASPEED Challenge Summer Series Champion and Rookie of the Year in the 2012 MAZDASPEED Challenge Summer Series, will be attending to share safe driving tips, take photos and sign autographs.
The event is scheduled for Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the B.E.S.T Academy at 1890 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway North West in Atlanta.
The event is free and open to the public, and event organizers expect about 1,500 students and community members from across the metro area to attend.
"These students bring such creative approaches to spread the message that distracted driving is a serious community concern," said Tamara Mlynarczyk, manager, public affairs, Mazda North American Operations. "From 'Super Saturday Service Day' here in Atlanta to rallies, social media campaigns and parent engagement nights, ASAS Youth Advisory Board Members mobilized their peers and demonstrated incredible social responsibility. The Mazda Foundation is proud to support these young civic leaders."
On Friday, Nissan announced a donation of $250,000 to six Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in Mississippi to promote STEM initiatives at each school to inspire and develop talent.
U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Mississippi Democrat, along with Nissan executives presented the funds to representatives from Alcorn State University, Coahoma Community College, Jackson State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Rust College and Tougaloo College to support their programs.
“These six institutions have a rich history of continuously advancing their programs to enhance their student’s educational experience. This contribution continues Nissan’s commitment to HBCUs and to diversity, education and service in our community,” said Jeffrey Webster, the automaker’s director of diversity and inclusion.
Nissan highlighted resources provided to each institution will be used to promote a range of STEM related programs and departments including applied sciences, engineering, math, computer and information science and many more.
The OEM went on to mention this donation builds on the success of Nissan Canton’s previous partnerships with HBCUs. As a result of one such partnership, in March 2013 Nissan donated two robots to Alcorn State University’s Advanced Technologies Program, which gave students first-hand experience with the kind of technology used in manufacturing facilities.
“I am very proud of the work our HBCUs are doing to develop the scientists, engineers and innovators of tomorrow,” Thompson said.
“As one of the largest manufacturers in our state, Nissan understands the need to prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s opportunities,” he continued. “I applaud their demonstrated commitment to our community and look forward to their continued support in the future.”
Manheim Pennsylvania will host its fourth annual Xtreme Spring Sale on Thursday and Friday this week.
The two-day event will feature more than 13,000 vehicles, starting with Manheim’s 100 Grander Sale on Thursday. Like its name suggests, the event will have over 400 high-end exotic vehicles, including Corvettes, classic cars, muscle cars and motorcycles.
The events on Thursday will also include a gala and charity auction hosted by Manheim following its normal highline sale. The charity auction will feature a decked-out Toyota Tacoma to raise funds for the Save A Warrior program in Malibu, Calif., an organization that helps veterans readjust and cope with their past combat experiences.
More information on the Save A Warrior program can be found here.
The New Jersey Auto Retailers Unite program, which experienced a successful campaign last year, continues again this year between the months of June and October.
The group of franchised auto retailers from the Garden State will again partner with The Valerie Fund to raise funds for children with cancer and blood disorders. Franchises within the state have already begun to sign up for the event, which will run from June 1 to October 31.
“Automotive retailers are the economic and charitable backbone of cities and towns throughout New Jersey, contributing more than $13 million to social, medial and veterans charities that serve thousands of New Jersey residents,” said Jim Appleton, the president of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers. “The New Jersey Auto Retailers Unite campaign is unlike any other charitable effort because it brings together hundreds of businesses to support a common cause close to home.”
Bunny Flanders, the director of marketing and communications at The Valerie Fund, which has been in operation to help support comprehensive health care services for children with cancer and blood disorders since 1976, hopes to have another successful year like the one the fund received last year.
“We were astounded by the generosity New Jersey auto dealerships have exhibited for the children of The Valerie Fund,” Flanders said. “The $800,000 raised in 2014 represented nearly 20 percent of the total dollars raised and allowed us to expand our services to treat our children and families. We are thankful for the continued support for a 2015 New Jersey Auto Retailers Unite campaign.”
More information about the campaign can be found on the New Jersey Auto Retailers Unite website.
Raymond and Joey Wilkes, a father-son team with more than 50 years of automotive experience, on Friday opened Capital City Auto Auction, a new independently owned and operated facility in Ohio.
The owners highlighted their management and staff are committed to combining the warm and friendly feel dealers enjoy at auctions with technology and all the automotive services needed to fully recondition vehicles.
“We just want to do things the right way,” Raymond Wilkes said. “We want dealers to be happy.”
Capital City AA boasts several unique features.
First, with 135,000 square-feet of interior display space, Wilkes plans on filling four auction lanes. He pointed out that somewhat rare to an auction facility is the ability to house nearly 400 vehicles inside the space, alleviating the burden adverse weather on buyers and sellers.
From lane-side pub-style seating, dealers can see each vehicle, while wait staff delivers refreshments thus ensuring an accommodating buy/sell atmosphere.
Technology abounds with specially designed in lane speakers and sound walls.
Furthermore, dozens of monitors flank the arena for ease and convenience.
While Wilkes prides himself on the aesthetics of the venue, he insisted what will be a major draw for dealers is the fee structure.
On average, Wilkes indicated, fees at Capital City AA are roughly half of what dealers have become accustomed to paying. Capital City AA also mentioned dealers can take advantage of $99 buy and sell fees during March.
Wilkes’ automotive background has given him insight into ways to streamline services to be conducive to dealers’ time and budget. The grand opening for the 60,000-square-foot auto body shop is slated for the spring.
The body shop has all new equipment including five car tunnel paint booths and four prep booths.
Also on site is a mechanic shop, detail facility and transportation solutions.
Soon, the new auction will begin construction on an express tunnel car wash that will be open to the public on non-auction days.
“The simplicity of titling and floor planning will be a welcome bonus for dealers with a myriad of options,” Wilkes said.
Capital City Auto Auction will run sales every Friday beginning at 11 a.m.
For additional information, visit www.capcityaa.com.
Southeastern AA of Savannah Breaks Records & Supports Shriners Hospital for Children
This past Wednesday, Southeastern Auto Auction of Savannah held its Cars, Cash & Caring Sale.
The “cars” portion of the sale featured a record breaking number of vehicles sold to a record breaking number of dealers in attendance.
The “cash” portion of the sale featured $30,000 in cash and prizes that were given away after the sale including $10,000 cash, a golf cart, green egg grill, 70-inch televisions, drones, a Bose surround sound system and much more.
The “caring” portion of the sale featured a donation of more than $3,000 to Shriner's Hospital for Children. This donation came from money raised through 50/50 drawings and an auction contribution for every transaction made over the previous five weeks.
Shriner's Hospital for Children is committed to providing the best care for children in the specialty areas of orthopedics, burn care, spinal cord injury and cleft lip and palate, regardless of the family’s ability to pay.
“It was a perfect day for selling cars, giving away prizes and helping a great organization like Shriners Hospital for Children,” Southeastern vice president Bill McCready said.
“The great 80-degree weather we had was just one more reason to smile,” McCready continued. “I want to thank everyone, especially our generous and caring dealers, for helping to raise this amount of money for children in need.”
Southeastern Auto Auction is located in Savannah, Ga., and holds a dealer-only sale every Wednesday at 10 a.m. and a public sale every Thursday at 7 p.m.
