Manheim announced Friday that it has agreed to match the funds raised for a local man from Lancaster County, Pa.
Manheim Pennsylvania plans to match up to $2,000 per week during the current five-week national Manheim promotion, called “Selling in the Zone,” to help Matt Newton, a former General Motors factory representative who currently suffers from Dyskeratosis Congenita, a medical condition that affects many parts of the body.
According to the company, it agreed to help Newton after a 13-year-old neighbor of the man, Sami Maddox, sent a video to NBC’s Ellen DeGeneres show requesting help for Newton. The funds donated will assist him with his current medical bills.
“We are hoping that this story on NBC would catch some legs to help young Sami get all the attention that she is seeking with the Ellen show,” said John Crispeno, Manheim Pennsylvania’s marketing manager. “We want to help Matt and his family. He came to Lancaster County to work for GM at our auction.”
Those interested in helping the fundraising effort for Newton can do so here.
In other Manheim news, the auction location in Orlando will be hosting B.R.A.K.E.S., or Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe, a free teen pro-active driving school available to Orlando-area teenagers. Offered to motorists aged 15 to 19 with at least 30 hours of driving experience, the program focuses on teaching enhanced levels of concentration, conscientiousness, and vehicle control.
Joan Pike, the assistant manager at Manheim Orlando, looks forward to hosting the event.
"We are excited to bring the B.R.A.K.E.S. program to our local high schools in Ocoee and Winter Garden," Pike said. "If we can save one life …"
More information about B.R.A.K.E.S. can be found here.
New vehicles won’t be the only debut made by Toyota in Chicago this month. Tuning into the spirit of Valentine’s Day, Toyota has announced Monday it will spreading the love by bringing insulated winter boots and socks to residents of The Salvation Army Evangeline Booth Lodge in Chicago for its “Toyota Walk In My Boots” community outreach project.
According to the company, it wants to add to the many programs that offer winter coat giveaways but tend to leave the feet as an afterthought. In addition to the socks and boots, Toyota has also announced it will give a $15,000 donation to The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division to further aid families in need in times of crisis.
The Salvation Army Evangeline Booth Lodge is set up to provide shelter for women and men with children, along with married couples with children, many of whom have suddenly found themselves homeless because of evictions, natural disasters, accidents, domestic violence and a host of other situations.
According to the company, the lodge offers shelter to as many as 60 families per night with an average stay of 63 days. The lodge provides food, clothing, housing and job search assistance as well as tutoring and activities for children.
The media event will begin at 11 a.m. on Feb. 14 at the Salvation Army Evangeline Booth Lodge in Chicago.
The top bidder for a motorcycle at ADESA’s auction during the recent NADA Convention and Expo in San Francisco at the end of January will ride it across the country to raise further funds for various charities.
Greg Noonan, who won the 2012 Harley-Davidson Heritage with a $20,000 bid, will further contribute funds raised from the 3,200 mile cross-country ride to the National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation and the Wounded Veterans Initiative of Canine Companions for Independence.
Charitable donations will be added to the Noonan’s original bid and the $20,000 match provided by Joe Verde, the president of the Joe Verde Group in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., which bolstered the two previous $10,000 grants to CCI by the NADA Foundation.
The charitable journey begins for Noonan on Thursday in Santa Rosa, Calif. and will include stops at ADESA’s auction facilities in Sacramento, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Jacksonville and Tampa.
“Our goal is (to) raise a hefty $250,000, which was inspired by a challenge from David Cox of Hare Chevrolet in Noblesville, Indiana,” said Noonan. “If someone pledged just 5 cents a mile, that’s a $150 donation.”
The four ADESA auctions at NADA raised $111,000 for the NADA Foundation and CCI – proceeds of which go to the NADA Foundation’s Frank E. McCarthy Memorial Fund, the name which the CCI donation is made. McCarthy served as the NADA chief executive from 1968 to 2001.
Once again, those interested in donating can do so here.
Manheim Detroit’s commitment to environmental protection efforts now includes a donation to a local water-related organization. The $12,500 donation was made to Lake Erie Waterkeeper, an organization that helps maintain Lake Erie’s waters via education, advocacy, outreach and collaboration.
The Manheim location also participates in the Cox Conserves Chairman’s Cup, an internal company program that recognizes Cox field locations for sustainable business practices. Manheim Detroit was one of 78 locations in North America recognized for its green efforts.
“It is an amazing honor to have been selected for this award by our parent company,” said Mandy Savage, Manheim Detroit’s general manager. “Our team here is truly humbled and appreciative of this award. We have partnered with Cox Enterprises on multiple projects this past year to help lessen our impact on the environment. These projects have also allowed our employees to give back to the community.”
According to Manheim Detroit, some of these projects include the following:
- Developed a Conservation Committee last year that created a plan to implement both recycling and volunteer programs to help make the auction greener and increase community involvement. The committee, chaired by Manheim Detroit controller Diana Ohanesian, meets quarterly to develop new ideas to make the location more environmentally friendly, discuss volunteer projects and provide updates to ongoing projects.
- Initiated a “Bring Your Cup to Work” campaign that helped to offset the 50,000 Styrofoam cups ordered annually.
- Launched a used pen and pencil collection drive which provided 6,000 pens and pencils to local schools. Employees collected the pens and pencils from vehicles being consigned at the auction, and the donations were spearheaded by employee Peter Hartner.
- Volunteered to clean up the grounds and areas around the Carleton, Mich., location and the facility’s separate Flat Rock operation in celebration of Arbor Day. More than 100 employees spent over three hours collecting 130 bags of trash and planting flowers to support local conservation efforts.
- Developed a partnership with neighboring Guardian Industries to reduce carbon footprint and help beautify the community.
Sandy Bihn, the executive director of Lake Erie Waterkeeper, is thankful for the donation from the company and appreciates the opportunity to spread awareness for the vital waters her organization fights to protect.
“We’re excited to receive this contribution from Manheim Detroit and Cox Enterprises,” Bihn said. “This donation will be instrumental in our efforts to keep Lake Erie clean and protect this great lake’s waterways. Lake Erie has an 872-mile shoreline that stretches along the shores of five states, including Michigan, and is the source of drinking water for 11 million people. Lake Erie is being threatened by growing algae blooms, invasive fish like Asian Carp, water withdrawals and water level changes and climate change, so it’s our mission to keep the lake clean and protect our environment.”
The Holman Automotive Group announced this week that Steve Holman has joined the company as manager, community affairs. Formerly a member of the board of directors, Holman joins his sister, Mindy Holman, the company’s president and chief executive officer, and his father, Joseph Holman, the company’s chairman.
Steve Holman will help lead the organization’s various community service and charitable initiatives.
“I am extremely proud to welcome my son to our company in an active management role,” Joseph Holman said. “He has served as a member of the board of directors since 1997. Philanthropy and community service have been a core part of our corporate philosophy since my father founded the company in 1924 and I believe Steve will flourish in this role which is incredibly important to who we are as an organization.”
To expand upon the responsibilities of the manager of community affairs, Holman will serve as the face of the group throughout the community, including the oversight of the company’s grant program, which provides over $1 million in funds to more than 300 organizations annually, according to the company. He has already got the ball rolling in the position by establishing a new committee to review grant requests while also transitioning the application process to an online format.
“I am delighted that my brother has joined the family business and is taking on the vital role of managing our community affairs,” Mindy Hollman said. “It is great to have Steve in this position, a family member who will devote 100 percent of his time to our charitable efforts. His unwavering dedication and keen intellect along with his true passion for helping others will be the driving force behind our community outreach efforts for many years to come.”
ADESA’s auction location in the Valley of the Sun is preparing for its fifth annual Legendary Sales Week. ADESA Phoenix’s event will feature special happenings on Tuesday and Wednesday, coinciding with the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event in Scottsdale, Ariz., which runs through Jan. 18.
“As one of our most anticipated annual events, this year’s Legendary Sales Week promises to be full of excitement,” said Ryan Edwards, general manager of ADESA Phoenix. “It will be a pleasure to share this event with our partners at Barrett-Jackson and the many car enthusiasts and dealers from around the country to join us for this occasion.”
The Legendary Sales Week will host a variety of features, including a wide assortment of vehicles, starting with a General Motors factory closed sale and a Ford factory closed sale. The featured sellers are many, including Ally, Chrysler Capital, Regional Acceptance/BB&T, Santander, Exeter Finance Group, Avis Budget Group, Enterprise Holdings, Ford Credit, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, TD Auto Finance and others.
The final day of the event will feature a special vehicle to benefit charity, proceeds of which will go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
“We can’t wait to host another Legendary Sales Week in conjunction with Barrett-Jackson,” Edwards said. “Our team always looks forward to celebrating this event with our many friends and loyal customers.”
The New England Acura Dealers Association (NEADA) will be extending its support for Boston Children's Hospital an additional two years to bring its total pledge to $1 million.
The extension follows the NEADA's initial two-year, $500,000 commitment back in late 2012. A portion of the proceeds of every Acura sold at each of NEADA’s seven dealerships will go toward the Children's Fund, supporting the hospital's areas of greatest need in patient care, research and community health.
“Boston Children’s Hospital is a great institution delivering miracles daily. There isn't a better organization to support,” said Chris Connolly, NEADA president and general manager at Herb Connolly Acura.
NEADA will also continue to serve as a top-level sponsor at all signature fundraisers benefiting the hospital, including the recent Champions for Children's event on Dec. 2, where NEADA raffled off an all-new 2015 Acura TLX that was on display during the event. The proceeds of the raffle went toward the nearly $4 million raised for Boston Children’s that evening.
“Our experience the last two years has been very satisfying and very fulfilling,” said Joel Avery, NEADA board member and general manager at Acura of Peabody.
“It’s a great feeling whenever a customer tells us they appreciate our support, especially when they mention they've had a child or family member treated by Boston Children’s Hospital,” Avery continued.
In addition to its main pledge of support, NEADA also supports Boston Children's through other fundraising efforts. During the past two holiday seasons, the dealers donated 10 percent of their customers' service or repair bills and raised an additional $50,000.
“The support that the seven New England Acura Dealers have provided to Boston Children’s Hospital over the last two years has been invaluable,” said Carola Cadley, vice president of corporate development at Boston Children's Hospital Trust.
“Their new commitment to expand their giving to $1 million over four years is absolutely outstanding” Cadley went on to say.
Throughout the year, NEADA representatives also give their personal time to the hospital, providing gifts and hosting arts and crafts sessions for patients and their families.
A video detailing the importance of this partnership for BCH and the NEADA can be viewed above.
Sheehy Auto Stores has announced the distribution of its combined donations of more than $100,000 to charities in the various communities that it serves, including the Washington, D.C. area; the Baltimore and Annapolis, Md. area; and the Richmond, Va. and Ashland, Va area.
In the Washington area, Sheehy’s dealerships donated $50,000 to charities, ranging from programs such as the Housing & Community Services of Northern Virginia to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. In the Annapolis/Baltimore area, local Sheehy dealers donated $32,500 to the Arundel House of Hope, the AAMC Foundations General Fund and the Chesterwye Center Inc. Ashland/Richmond Sheehy dealers donated $25,000, to local organizations such as the Mercy Mall, the Hanover Habitat for Humanity and the American Cancer Society via Relay for Life Mechanicsville.
“Our employees and family of dealerships do much throughout the year in donating time and money for a variety of charities,” said Vince Sheehy, president of Sheehy Auto Stores. “We are grateful for our success and pleased to continue our annual holiday giving campaign that we hope helps to make a difference to those in need.”
A family-owned business since its founding in Marlow Heights, Md. in 1966, Sheehy Auto Stores now comprises 17 locations and 19 import and domestic franchises in the Richmond, Baltimore, Annapolis and Washington, D.C. metro areas.
As we head toward Christmas, ServNet member auctions have been busy working to help the less fortunate during this holiday season.
Pittsburgh Auto Auction, for example, raised funds for A Child’s Place at Mercy, part of the Pittsburgh Mercy Health System for its volunteerism this October, culminating in a $15,000 check for the local charity.
Throughout the month of October, PAA held weekly fundraisers to raise money for the local charity who plans assessments of children who are suspected of being victims of child abuse.
The final fundraisers were held on Oct. 28th, and a few of PAA’s consignors donated vehicles to be auctioned off during the sale with the proceeds being donated directly to the charity.
The auction then matched 100 percent of all of the donations received from vendors, employees and customers throughout the month.
General manager Chris Angelicchio said, "Every child deserves to live in a safe environment free from abuse and neglect. Knowing that the donations are going to the protection and support of children makes it an easy commitment for our staff and dealers to make. The donations from our customers, vendors, and employees are for a greatly needed cause."
Over at the Dealers Auto Auction of Oklahoma City, the auction is celebrating the holiday season by sponsoring a toy drive and holding various holiday sale events.
In a program that started Nov. 20 and ran through Monday, the auction sponsored a toy drive that targeted toward charity groups such as the YMCA Battered Women with Children's group, and the Military Kids at nearby Tinker Air Force Base.
"It's a time-honored tradition here at DAA/OKC to participate in a community outreach program during the holidays, and once again we're receiving overwhelming support from the auction community for this year's toy drive," said owner Gary Smith. "As we contemplate the benefits we receive in being part of a thriving industry, where we enjoy the support of great employees and loyal customers, we are mindful of those who are less fortunate. As often as we work with shared purpose to make every auction day throughout the year a successful one for our buyer and sellers, it's nice to refocus our efforts on the community around us, and to lend a hand to those who need some extra cheer this holiday season."
"We're watching the toy collection grow every week at DAA/OKC as customers and employees add to gifts," Smith continued, "and we're looking forward to making deliveries to the YMCA and the Air Force Base just in time for Christmas!"
The auction will also hold two special holiday sales prior to Christmas.
On Thursday, the auction will hold its Christmas Party sale, treating all customers to a free lunch, and celebrating with prize giveaways at the conclusion of the sale.
Next week, the auction will hold its last consignment sale before Christmas on Tuesday (Dec. 23) and will close to celebrate the holiday on Dec. 25 and Dec. 26.
"We have enjoyed a great year at DAA/OKC and thank all our customers for their ongoing loyalty and support," said Smith. "We wish the merriest Christmas to the friends we see here every week throughout the year, and look forward to a great year in lanes in 2015."
Manheim Pennsylvania announced that it will have more than $30,000 in prizes slated for three of its year-end sales. Scheduled for its Dec. 18, Dec. 19 and Jan. 2 sales, the auction will host the following themes on each of the dates, respectively:
- Naughty and Nice Mega Sale: For Mercedes-Benz dealers, Dec. 18; this closed sale begins at 9 a.m. with more than 600 vehicles expected.
- Very Merry Manheim Sale: A holiday theme for its regularly scheduled Friday auction on Dec. 19, also begins at 9 a.m.
- Manheim Bowl: A sports theme for the auction’s Friday event on Jan. 2; customers will have a shot at a trip for two to Super Bowl XLIX. The lobby will be transformed into a sports bar with the total amount of prizes eclipsing $25,000.
Note to auction customers: since Christmas falls on a Friday, Manheim Pennsylvania’s regular sale for next week will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 23.
As an update on Manheim locations participating in Movember events, Manheim’s parent company, Cox Enterprises, reported this week that it has donated more than $1.7 million to the Movember Foundation to support men’s health programs.
The Cox Movember Network, consisting of over 1,600 employees, vendors, partners and friends, raised $885,000 that was matched by the James M. Cox Foundation, making Cox Enterprises Movember’s Top Global Network and the largest global corporate contributor to Movember’s 2014 campaign.
“Our chairman Jim Kennedy was diagnosed with prostate cancer earlier this year,” said John Dyer, Cox Enterprises’ president. “While Jim’s prognosis is good, it brings to light the need for education and funds to support men’s health. Jim and his family have always demonstrated immense passion for Cox and its employees and it’s in the same spirit that we launched Movember at Cox.”
Jamie Kennedy, Jim’s son, started the company’s involvement, surpassing the initial fundraising goal of $250,000 during the first few days of the campaign. Employees and company partners rallied behind the cause, growing mustaches and spreading the word about men’s health issues.
“If we can prevent just one person from having to go through what I have experienced, through awareness or medical treatment, I knew the Movember campaign would be worth it,” said Jim Kennedy. “I have never seen a better example of the uniqueness of the Cox corporate culture than the way everyone rallied around the Movember campaign. I have been deeply touched by their outpouring of encouragement and support.”
