In what began earlier this month, Honda has found another way to honor its associates that not only excel within the company, but also take time to play active roles in their communities, as well.
Through the company’s new video series titled, “What Makes a Honda is Who Makes a Honda,” Honda will introduce 12 associated who “believe that building quality communities is just as important as building quality products,” officials said.
Honda explained these employees come from diverse backgrounds, including small towns and big cities, but they all have one thing in common — they are all “volunteering and working hands-on to improve their neighborhoods,” Honda officials said.
The company released its first video on April 3, which featured Eddie Caldwell, a production associate from Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (HMA) in Lincoln, Ala.
Caldwell has spent 12 years with the company, specializing in rear suspension assembly for the Ridgeline, Odyssey and Pilot.
He also serves as acting captain for Hollins, Ala., Volunteer Fire and Rescue.
“His dedicated community service qualifies him for HMA's unique HondaStar program, which not only encourages associates to volunteer, but also provides a donation to the non-profit in his or her honor once the associate reaches 40 hours of volunteer service each year,” the company shared.
See above to view the first video in the “What Makes a Honda is Who Makes a Honda” series.
To support the Keystone Wounded Warriors organization, Manheim Pennsylvania recently raised $70,000 as a donation to Keystone Wounded Warriors, which is a portion of proceeds from the third-annual Xtreme Spring Event.
Auction officials highlighted a spring charity gala to benefit veterans also was held as part of two-day event.
Manheim Pennsylvania hosted what it called the world’s largest highline vehicle auction — a “100 Grander” sale — featuring a 2008 Bugatti Veyron, many Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini models and other high-dollar vehicles on March 20.
Additionally, Ultra Highline, Corvette, Motorcycle and Classic Car auctions were held on March 21.
A portion of the proceeds from the Xtreme Spring Event benefitted the Pennsylvania-based Keystone Wounded Warriors. This year’s donation marks a $20,000 increase over the donation made to the Wounded Warrior Project in 2013.
During the past two years, Manheim Pennsylvania raised $110,000 for Wounded Warrior Project.
“Our organization greatly appreciates the efforts of Manheim Pennsylvania, its staff and customers,” said Paul Spurgin, director and co-founder of Keystone Wounded Warriors.
“We depend on the generosity of companies like Manheim to be able to provide the support and services our veterans need,” Spurgin continued. “We are very grateful for this donation, and look forward to a continued partnership with Manheim.”
Julie Picard, vice president and general manager of Manheim Pennsylvania, shared her thoughts on the philanthropic event.
“We are so proud to support the Keystone Wounded Warriors and the Pennsylvania veterans it impacts,” Picard said.
“Our third-annual Xtreme Spring Sale was extra special for Manheim Pennsylvania because we were able to support such a deserving organization,” she continued. “Giving back to the community is an important value of Manheim and its operating locations.”
As Dealers Auto Auction of Idaho gears up to celebrate its 13th anniversary with a major giveaway, the National Auto Auction Association and Black Book have teamed up to present the inaugural Black Book Pedal Car Auction.
The association announced the charity event will be held at the 2014 NAAA Annual Convention this September in Boston with the goal of raising $50,000 for its nonprofit Warren Young Scholastic Foundation.
The four NAAA chapters each selected three pedal car sponsors to be the dozen finalists in the fall show and auction. A lottery choosing the order of the auction’s run list will be held at the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association Convention in June.
To get a leg up on the competition, the rules allow the sponsors to modify new or pre-owned pedal-powered vehicles — whether trains, planes or automobiles (but no carts) — as much as their imagination and skill would permit. That includes paint, decals, graphics, exhausts, lights, sirens and other parts or accessories.
The pedal car bringing the most money wins the Best in Show title, along with being featured on both the cover of NAAA’s On the Block magazine and 2015 Directory.
Awards will also be given for Most Creative, Best Custom, Best Accessories and Most Unusual Paint Job categories as determined by the four NAAA Chapter presidents. An article about all the pedal cars and the event will appear in an issue of On the Block.
“We thought this offered our members a great way to demonstrate their creativity and abilities in a friendly competition while raising money to support our scholarship fund, which helps deserving students achieve their dreams of higher education,” NAAA president Jack Neshe said.
Neshe noted that since its creation in 2004, the Warren Young Scholastic Foundation has raised more than $1.5 million and awards a total of $40,000 in merit scholarships annually for full-time study at an accredited institution. It was named in honor of Warren Young, Sr., a pioneer of the auto auction industry who retired after 35 years of devoted service to his profession and the NAAA.
“We are big supporters of the Warren Young Scholastic Foundation and believe in giving back and supporting this terrific cause,” Black Book President Tom Cross said. “We also believe in the NAAA and will do whatever we can to lend a hand.
Dealers Auto Auction of Idaho Anniversary Plans
Dealers Auto Auction of Idaho, a member of the Founders Auto Auction Network, is celebrating 13 years in business in a big way by giving away a 2014 Nissan Versa.
“We wanted to come up with something we have never done before to make this anniversary stand out from all the rest,” said Russ Smith, owner of Dealers Auto Auction of Idaho and NAAA Western Zone vice president.
DAA of Idaho fleet/lease manager Britney Smith wants to make sure the auction’s customers know how grateful the operation is for support during the past 13 years.
“Our customers are very important to us. We want to make sure they know how much we appreciate them. The fact that they take time out of their busy schedules to visit us each week means a lot, so what better way to show that appreciation than by giving them a chance to win a new car,” Smith said.
Every Wednesday in March, five dealers will be drawn and given a key. Then on March 26, each dealer will try their key, and the key that starts the vehicle will be the winner.
The DAA of Idaho anniversary sale will take place next Wednesday (March 19) and feature vehicles from Westlake Financial, ARI, SRG, Emkay, United Auto Credit, Lobel Financial and many more. Franchised stores and independent dealers will also be participating with Dennis Dillon Nissan, Team Mazda Subaru, Edmark Superstore, Bronco Motors, Lithia Chevrolet and more on the docket.
Smith indicated there will be four lanes with more than 600 vehicles.
All of the Wednesday Sales will be available to bid online through Auction Pipeline under Nampa, ID.
For more details, contact Dealers Auto Auction of Idaho at (208) 463-8250 or visit www.daaofidaho.com.
