Once again, Larry H. Miller Dealerships hosted group employees, vendors and business partners on the golf course to support its charitable arm Larry H. Miller Charities on Tuesday.
Not only did 54 foursomes come out to compete, this year’s 2-day LHM Golf Classic tournament raised $400,000 for the dealership group’s charity program.
Following an opening dinner and silent auction held at Salt Lake City’s Tuscany restaurant on Monday evening, LHM invited tournament participants to go head to head at the Hidden Valley Country Club in Sandy, Utah.
“The proceeds from the Larry H. Miller Golf Classic make a monumental difference in allowing us to give back in the communities where we do business,” group executive vice president of corporate affairs and Miller family philanthropy Jay Francis said in a news release. “This fundraiser is about one-third of the giving we will do this year and will allow us to make a real difference in our communities.”
The LHM Charities organization particularly aims to gift funds to groups and programs that support health and education initiatives for women and children in need, LHM explained.
Last year, 90-plus nonprofit organizations located across seven different western states were able to benefit from the $350,000 raised during the 2017 tournament.
Over $1.5 million in funds have been raised since LHM held its inaugural golf tournament for charity in 2012, and LHM Charities has given more than $8 million in support of several nonprofit organizations, according to the dealership group.
Operators feeling charitable can help the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association next week.
For the sixth consecutive year, ADESA, a business unit of KAR Auction Services, will auction off a premier vehicle during the NIADA Convention and Expo to benefit the NIADA Foundation.
This year's vehicle is a silver 2018 Honda Accord sedan with a mere 1,188 miles on the odometer. The vehicle will be on display in the Expo Hall during the Convention, which begins Monday at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Fla. The Expo opens the next evening.
The auction will be held at 1:30 p.m. ET on Thursday at the NIADA Dealer Lounge in the center of the Expo Hall.
ADESA will transport the vehicle free for the winning bidder to any location in the continental U.S.
All proceeds from the auction will benefit the NIADA Foundation, which coordinates the association's commitment to charitable giving as well as awarding scholarships to deserving college-bound students across the nation and providing training and educational opportunities to automobile dealers and the general public.
Past foundation activities include raising more than $180,000 to assist members of the automotive community affected by last year's hurricanes, as well as additional disaster relief efforts, making significant donations to charities nationwide, providing matching funds for local charitable projects and funding endowments for university scholarships.
During the past five years, officials tabulated that ADESA-sponsored auctions at the NIADA Convention have raised a total of $125,200 for the NIADA Foundation. During last year's event, a 2016 Nissan Frontier SV pickup sold for $28,000.
More details about this year's NIADA events can be found here.
Hertz Asia Pacific has partnered with Make-A-Wish Foundation to provide complimentary rental vehicles to families who travel in six Asia Pacific countries as part of their wish experience.
The car rental company announced Tuesday that in addition to providing free rental vehicles to Make-A-Wish families commuting in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Japan and China, it will also support the foundation with a series of fundraising initiatives set to be launched throughout the year.
“Hertz is honored to partner with Make-A-Wish. We hope that with our support, Make-A-Wish can continue making progress to achieve their vision to grant life-changing wishes for every eligible child and teenager.” Hertz Asia Pacific vice president Eoin MacNeill said in a news release. “The Hertz team is looking forward to making this partnership an integral part of our business operation, to not only give something back to the community, but also raise vital funds for the charity.”
According to MacNeill, Hertz Asia Pacific is currently looking into ways that can allow Hertz customers to donate to Make-A-Wish when they pay for their vehicle rental fee.
“We are thrilled that Hertz's support will help provide life-altering wish experiences for children across Asia Pacific,” said Jon Stettner, president and chief executive officer of Make-A-Wish International. “We know these wishes forever change the lives of the wish children and families involved, and they would not be possible without the generosity of donors and supporters like Hertz.”
Established in 1980, Make-A-Wish now operates in more 50 different countries.
Bernie Moreno Companies has launched a new fundraising campaign named “Keys for Kids”, that’s aimed at supporting children’s initiatives at three large hospital systems inside Northeast Ohio.
The dealership group recently announced that its newly launched campaign will run into next year and benefit Cleveland Clinic, as well as MetroHealth and University Hospitals of Cleveland.
Throughout the year, the Keys for Kids program will receive a portion of proceeds from each vehicle purchased at Bernie Moreno Companies’ Mercedes-Benz of North Olmsted, Porsche of North Olmsted and Cleveland Motorsports locations.
While donations made in June, July and August will go to help fund MetroHealth’s School Health Program, this September into 2019, Bernie Moreno Companies explained that second and third rounds of donations will benefit Cleveland Clinic’s Children’s Hospital and University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital in Cleveland.
“Whether it’s a second-grader getting an annual check-up during her school day because of Metro, a 5-year-old boy getting groundbreaking cancer care at the clinic or a preemie thriving at Rainbow, our community’s children deserve the gift of the best healthcare possible,” Bernie Moreno Companies president Bernie Moreno explained in a news release.
MetroHealth’s School Health Program provides health care to students who attend 13 Cleveland public schools, according to the company.
“‘Keys for Kids’ is a way for us and our clients to help provide that gift,” added Moreno. “The clients of Bernie Moreno Companies love luxury, style and our award-winning customer service, but they also love helping our community. We are proud to give them the chance with ‘Keys for Kids.’”
One of the largest public dealer groups is trying to help Floridians heal after a tragic school shooting back in February
On Monday, AutoNation announced that the company is making a $250,000 donation, through the Broward Education Foundation, to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Victims' Fund.
AutoNation associates across the country responded to a request from Mike Jackson, the company's chairman, chief executive officer and president, to support the South Florida high school. Jackson also serves on the steering committee overseeing the allocation of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Victims' Fund.
Contributions by associates were matched by the company.
“I was deeply touched by the response of our associates from coast to coast to the horrific events of February 14. Thirteen AutoNation locations, including our headquarters are in Broward County,” Jackson said.
“Parkland is home to many of our associates and their children, who attend MSD. The outpouring of support from our associates from all over the country, shows this tragedy has hit home for all of us,” he continued.
In solidarity with the victims and their families, AutoNation has partnered with Rick Case Automotive Group, to garner additional support for the MSD Victim’s fund from fellow members of the Florida Automotive Dealers Association.
Rita Case, Rick Case Automotive Group’s chief operating officer said, “Mike Jackson and I may be competitors in business, but right now we've put our business concerns aside and have united to help our devastated community heal from this tragedy.”
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Victims' Fund has collected more than $8 million and will continue to receive donations through June 30.
The National Auto Auction’s The Warren Young Sr., Scholastic Foundation recently announced its 12 scholarship recipients for the year.
In its 14th year, the program now offers eight $5,000 scholarships for attending a four-year institution and four $3,000 scholarships for a two-year college or vocational-technical school.
That’s a total of $52,000 annually in 12 merit scholarships, according to NAAA.
"Over the years our Scholastic Foundation has helped 168 deserving students from the NAAA family pursue their dreams of a higher education, thanks to the generous support of our members," NAAA President Warren Clauss said in a news release. "Today I'm proud to say the fund has grown to become a self-sustaining resource that ensures a legacy of learning and enhanced access to higher education for future generations. It's a prime example of NAAA's commitment to education and training opportunities."
With guidelines and recommendations developed by Scholarship America, an independent organization that reviews the applications, NAAA honors applicants for their academic record, in addition to leadership skills, honors, goals, work experience and public service experience.
Each year, all scholarship applicants must be either full-time employees of NAAA member auctions or corporate offices, their children or grandchildren.
The annual scholarship program has raised over $2.3 million since its inception, according to NAA.
This year’s 12 scholarship award recipients include: Alec Anderson of KAR Auction Services; Anne Dabroski of State Line Auto Auction; Keith Dabroski of State Line Auto Auction; Jacob Huffaker of Salina Auto Auction; Jacob Moyer of Manheim Philadelphia; Kimberley Paquette of ADESA Flint; Mazarine Penzin of Auctions in Motion—Thousand Oaks; Maria Rico of Orlando Longwood Auto Auction; Dane Rogers of DAA Northwest; Audrey Wood Manheim Louisville; Megan Wright of Airport Auto Auction as well as Manheim Scholarship recipient Matthew Wozniak.
ServNet has named eight winners of its 3-year-old scholarship program created for children of employees who study at two- and four-year colleges.
In January, ServNet announced that it expanded its scholarship program to hand out up to 10 awards this year.
"We were pleased to expand the scholarship program this year, adding an additional award for $2,500 for a student attending a four-year college," ServNet president Kevin Brown said in a news release. "We awarded a total of $19,000 this year and are very happy to announce the names of eight ServNet scholarship recipients."
Seven $2,500 awards went to students attending a four-year college or university, and one award of $1,500 went to an applicant who will enroll in a two-year college or vocational-technical school, according to ServNet.
The ServNet scholarship program was established in 2016 for the purpose of supporting company employees and their families pursue higher education.
The scholarship program can assist full-time ServNet auction employees, their children, stepchildren and grandchildren.
A Connecticut Subaru dealership continued to enhance a charitable program orchestrated by the OEM, resulting in a donation of more than $50,000 to an organization near the store.
Premier Subaru has built off of the automaker’s Share the Love event, and this week the dealership presented a check for $53,552 to Camp Rising Sun. Having raised funds for the organization for four years in a row, total contributions from Premier Subaru to Camp Rising Sun now have exceeded $200,000.
Camp Rising Sun was designed to provide a safe nurturing environment to children ages 5 through 17 who have been diagnosed with cancer. Camp week takes place at Camp Jewell YMCA in Colebrook, Conn. A number of “Senior Campers” have become “Leaders in Training” to help with the younger campers and plan activities.
Camp Rising Sun has been around since 1983 and has grown to more than 100 campers. The funds provided by Premier Subaru, during the most recent Share the Love program, will support more than 40 campers this year.
“Thanks to Bob Alvine and the entire Premier Subaru Team, we will be able to provide an awesome summer camp experience to even more kids with cancer,” Camp Rising Sun director Shaun Heffernan said.
“Being a small volunteer organization without a national sponsor, fundraising is always a challenge. Bob and his team’s hard work will help put smiles on the faces of our campers this summer,” Heffernan continued.
In 2013, Subaru of America gave dealerships the option to add a local charity, and Premier Subaru took the opportunity to align with Camp Rising Sun.
“I am honored to participate with such an organization. An organization that brings smiles to brave children and their families,” Premier Subaru president Bob Alvine said. “We are duly proud to have raised this money and deeply thank our customers and employees.”
Along with Camp Rising Sun, Premier Subaru has also been involved in a number of other philanthropic endeavors, including The Branford Jazz on the Green series, Toys for Tots, Jane Doe No More, and the American Cancer Society.
Car owners now have a new way to donate unwanted vehicles to deserving drivers and causes when researching on Kelley Blue Book’s website.
KBB announced Thursday that in addition to making it easier to donate a vehicle, it has also redesigned the owners pages on its website to help consumers more confidently decide to sell or trade-in their current cars, as well.
KBB has partnered with Charitable Adult Rides & Services (CARS) to add a new donate feature to its website that allows car owners and dealers to give away unwanted vehicles to organizations online.
KBB said more than 100,000 vehicles were donated through the CARS organization last year.
The donations helped more than 3,500 nonprofits and charities across the country, according to KBB. Some of the benefiting organizations included St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Special Olympics and The Salvation Army.
“Depending on the value of your vehicle, the amount of time you have before it must be sold, and your preferences around disposing of that car, Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com offers car owners a variety of options on how to move on from their current vehicle,” KBB general manager Michael Sadowski said in a news release. “This enhanced section of KBB.com puts these options into perspective and gives consumers all the information they need to make a confident decision.”
Meanwhile, in addition to KBB editorial content and estimated monthly payment information for trading-in vehicles, the redesigned owners pages also include KBB Trade-In Range and Private Party Value reports.
KBB's Private Party Value report information is based on sales transaction and auction price data that is analyzed and adjusted to factor in both seasonality trends and market trends, according to KBB.
In recognition of the Month of the Military Child, longtime partners KaBOOM! and The CarMax Foundation have come together to build a community playground, as well as provide organizations that serve military families 10 grants for outdoor playsets.
The partners are set to host 11 community events for the children of veterans and active duty service members during what is called the "Week of Play."
With the help of a few hundred volunteers, the partners will present a new playset at Chloe Clark Elementary School on Wednesday. Located in DuPont, Wash., the school serves a community with a large military family population.
Experts designed the layout of the school’s new playset based on local childrens' drawings of their dream playgrounds at a special event held last month.
This week, KaBOOM! and The CarMax Foundation will also provide 10 child-serving non-profits nationwide grants for creative play sets from Imagination Playground and Rigamajig.
"We are proud to be the first corporate partner with KaBOOM! to make a significant commitment to bringing playspaces to military communities across the country," The CarMax Foundation president Matt Aman said in a news release. "Our associates are excited about seeing the impact these new spaces will have on the communities in which we live and work, and they understand the importance of promoting and protecting opportunities for kids to play.
"We have a deeply rooted commitment to supporting our military community, so this effort aligns perfectly with our goals," Aman continued.
Additionally, through a multiyear national partnership with KaBOOM!, the companies said, The CarMax Foundation will provide a $5 million investment to help build 33 playgrounds and provide 32 creative play grants nationwide this year.
"Opportunities to play are an essential part of childhood and help kids develop resiliency and grit, as they fall and pick themselves up," said James Siegal, chief executive officer of KaBOOM!. "When kids experience stress or transition in their lives, play also provides a creative outlet to help them cope, and can restore normalcy and stability. We know this is particularly true for kids who move often or have deployed parents. Thanks to The CarMax Foundation's continued leadership and commitment to supporting our military community, we're able to create more opportunities for kids to experience the healing power of play."
The Month of the Military Child was established by former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger as a U.S. Defense Department commemoration in 1986.
