OpenRoad Auto Group raised close to $47,000 for local food banks in British Columbia and Ontario — literally one step at a time.
The company’s dealership staff and corporate employees generated those funds through their inaugural OpenRoad Walkathon. Hundreds of OpenRoad staff associates from dealerships near Toronto and Vancouver as well as head office employees in Richmond, British Columbia, participated in the charitable endeavor during a 12-day stretch beginning on Dec. 2.
OpenRoad said it donated $5 for every kilometer walked based on staff donations and company matching funds.
“We’re so proud of our entire team for hitting the pavement to raise funds for their local food banks,” OpenRoad Auto Group chief executive officer Christian Chia said in a news release.
“We’re really pleased to step up and do our part to help feed families that are in need of nutritious meals. It’s been a challenging year for local food banks due to increased demand resulting from the pandemic,” Chia continued.
The company said a national total of $46,800 was raised for regional food banks. OpenRoad’s teams in Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley raised $41,800 for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, while OpenRoad’s two Brampton stores raised $5,000 for the GTA Food Banks.
OpenRoad pointed out that food banks in all regions are experiencing a significant decline in contributions while the need for support has increased during the pandemic.
Officials indicated the Greater Vancouver Food Bank (GVFB) supports about 6,000 people every week through their direct distribution across Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster and the North Shore. In the same communities, the GVFB also provides food support to around 21,000 people through their community agency partners, which includes after-school programs, homeless shelters, transition houses and more.
Officials said a quarter of GVFB clients are children and youth, and 18% are seniors.
“The GVFB often has twice the purchasing power, and sometimes even four times the power when they purchase items like eggs, apples and onions,” OpenRoad said.
Officials noted the Greater Toronto Area Food Banks serve a combined 200,000 clients every year with contributions down and clients in need up by 22% to 200% by region. The GTA Food Banks report that 67% of clients skip meals each day to pay for other necessities like rent.
“For every dollar donated, the Greater Toronto Area food banks will be able to provide food to hungry children, seniors, families and neighbors,” OpenRoad said.
OpenRoad’s food bank donations were allocated to local food banks based on funds raised per region.
On Monday, OpenRoad’s Vancouver team presented a donation of $41,800 to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, while OpenRoad’s Brampton team will present $5,000 to the GTA Food Banks later this month.
To make a food bank donation or for more information, visit the Greater Vancouver Food Bank or Greater Toronto Food Banks.
Maria Soklis says automotive industry leaders believe in the importance of supporting their local communities.
“Today, we had the opportunity to do just that — leading by example — to help build homes for Canadian families who need a little support to gain stability and self-reliance,” said Soklis, who is president of Cox Automotive Canada.
Soklis was referring to an event in September in which team members from several automotive industry organizations kicked off the first-ever Canadian Automotive Industry Build in support of Habitat for Humanity Canada.
Team members from Cox Automotive Canada along with Build partners from Canadian Black Book, CARFAX Canada, Hyundai Canada and the Used Car Dealers Association attended the ceremony. The Bank of Montreal, Desjardins, Scotiabank and TD Canada Trust were additional sponsors.
Canadian Black Book also talked about its work for Habitat for Humanity, as its head office team members left the comfort of their office to help build homes for local families. They picked up some tools and materials on an HFH build site in Mississauga.
“The Canadian Black Book team is a family,” Canadian Black Book president Brad Rome said in a news release. “That is a major reason why we collectively feel strongly about the importance of giving back and helping families that need it.”
Cox Automotive Canada describes Canadian Automotive Industry Build as an opportunity to connect the industry to the cause of helping build stronger communities and helping families “achieve strength, stability and self-reliance.”
On average, according to Cox Automotive, Habitat generates $175,000 of benefits to society for every home built. Cox reports that since 1985, Habitat Canada has helped 3,619 Canadian families to get access to a decent and affordable home.
Canadian Automotive Industry Build team volunteers will be on the Mississauga Build site through the end of October with community volunteers and seasoned Habitat construction staff.
Also, as part of their partnership with Habitat for Humanity, future Habitat homeowners will complete up to 500 hours of volunteering.
Regarding the Canadian Black Book team, eight of its team members spent the day at the build site in Mississauga. The team completed work such as general construction, moving materials, safety watches, and site cleaning.
“It was hard work, that was a tough day, and I sure learned a lot,” Canadian Black Book vice president business development and marketing Richard Phillips said. “But the satisfaction of knowing the end game really provides the encouragement. I think we all enjoyed ourselves and feel good about the contribution.”
Cox Automotive Canada’s most recent Drive Away Hunger food drive has ended with a total of 7,141 pounds of food collected for community food banks who will be feeding children and families throughout the summer.
Helping to keep shelves at Canadian food banks stocked for families and individuals who suffer from food insecurity this time of year is meaningful because donation levels usually take a dip during the summer, according to the company.
“We are proud to run this national food drive and fundraising campaign every year.” Cox Automotive Canada vice president of human resources Grace Kong said in a news release. “This year’s goal was to increase our previous years’ donations by 10 percent to try to better combat the drop that Canadian food banks see each summer. Together our team brought in 7,141 pounds of food.”
Cox Automotive Canada’s annual food drive began on June 18 and ran up to June 29. All team members were asked to make donations of food items that they would provide for their families, according to the company.
“Hunger, as we all know, doesn't take a summer vacation,” said Soklis. “The support that Cox Automotive Canada offers is deeply rooted in our fellow Cox Automotive communities around the world. We are connected by a common value of community involvement, and Drive Away Hunger is just one way that our team can demonstrate its commitment to the communities we live and work in.”
One hundred and forty-eight Cox Automotive Canada executives, vendors and customers from Southern and Southwestern Ontario teed off this summer for the annual joint fundraising tournament hosted by Manheim and the Used Car Dealers Association of Ontario (UCDA).
Not only did Cox Automotive Canada recently announce that this year’s Manheim and UCDA Ruth Hart-Stephens and Bob Beattie Annual Golf Tournament was a sold-out event this month, Manheim Toronto also kickstarted Cox Automotive Canada’s annual Drive Away Hunger campaign and food drive.
This year’s tournament held at the Royal Ontario Golf Club follows nearly two decades that Manheim has invited dealers, sponsors and partners out for golf, food and prizes.
Over the years, the fundraiser has collected tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships for students attending the Canadian Automotive Institute at Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario, as well as help bring in non-perishable food items for those in need throughout the province, according to Cox Automotive Canada.
“Our goal is to ensure that this is one of our biggest and most successful corporate social responsibility initiatives yet,” Cox Automotive Canada president Maria Soklis said in a news release. “Last year, team members from coast to coast raised 6,492 lbs. of food for Canadians in need. This year’s goal is to surpass that amount by at least 10 percent.”
The 2-week long Cox Automotive Canada Drive Away Hunger initiative that ends on Friday asks team members to bring in non-perishable food donations that area food banks are in need of and often provide those in need.
In addition to Cox Automotive Canada, the 2018 Manheim and UCDA Ruth Hart-Stephens and Bob Beattie Annual Golf Tournament sponsors include the list of companies below:
- Desjardins
- NAPA
- UCDA & Baird MacGregor Insurance Brokers
- NextGear Capital
- iA Financial Group
- Dealertrack Canada
- CARPROOF
- Wye Management
- UCDA (ontariocars.ca)
- Insurance Insight
- Bendix Foreign Exchange
- The Capital Group
- Dent Wizard Canada
- Apex Inspection Solutions
- Ready Logistics
- Canadian Black Book
- Jaguar Land Rover Canada
- First Canadian Financial Group
A Canadian platform designed specifically to help automotive dealers recover costs that stem from burdensome aged inventory has connected with CARPROOF to provide automotive history and valuation data for every vehicle listed by a dealer.
90 Day Pool recently announced that in addition to seller’s disclosures, a new integration with CARPROOF provides dealers with a standardized comprehensive inspection report and a CARPROOF vehicle history report.
“Integrating with 90 Day Pool aligns with CARPROOF’s mission to increase trust and transparency in the Canadian used-car marketplace,” CARPROOF vice president of automotive sales Shawn Vording said in a news release. “By providing a history report on all vehicles listed for trade on 90 Day Pool, dealers are provided with all the information they need to decide if the vehicle is right for their lot.”
Built to facilitate dealer-to-dealer trades when it comes to vehicles that have been taking up lot space for over 3 months, the 90 Day Pool platform’s added transparency brings dealers increased value and legitimacy, according to company president Joe Arrigo.
“Providing CARPROOF reports was a natural extension of the service we offer,” Arrigo said in a news release. “CARPROOF is known as the main source of vehicle history information in Canada, and providing that information to dealers for the vehicles we help them trade adds tremendous value and legitimacy to what we do.”
A wide array of KAR Auction Services companies and employees are finding ways to show support for individuals and families impacted by the April 6 crash in Saskatchewan involving the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team.
On Wednesday, TradeRev is hosting an online charity auction in which a 2014 Harley-Davidson FXDF Fat Bob will be on the block, and 100 percent of sale proceeds will go to the Humboldt Broncos GoFundMe campaign.
A note to Auto Remarketing Canada from KAR indicated that TradeRev will cover the shipping costs.
“It’s as easy as signing into TradeRev and looking for the trade hosted by TradeRev Motors,” a company spokesperson said about the event that begins at 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
Also, for the past couple of weeks, ADESA Canada employees have worn their hockey jerseys in support of the Humboldt community and raised money to support the Humboldt Broncos GoFundMe campaign.
All of the efforts have arrived because of the April 6 tragedy in which a bus carrying the hockey team and coaches was involved in a crash near Armley, Saskatchewan, killing 16 people and injuring another 13.
To make a donation directly, go to this website.
Canadian Black Book recently announced that its 20th annual Charity Golf Tournament on Sept. 11 has been sold out.
On Monday, 144 participants will golf at Stouffville’s exclusive Granite Golf Club, where only two outside tournaments are permitted each year.
All of the tournament’s proceeds will go to Tim Horton Children’s Foundation. In two decades, the annual event has raised over $350,000 for the charity, according to Canadian Black Book.
For entertainment following the day of golf, Canadian Black Book has called on Dave Hemstad, a three-time Canadian Comedy Award nominee to perform to close the event.
“This has all the makings of a very memorable day,” Canadian Black Book president Brad Rome said in a news release. “To have the chance to play a course as esteemed as this and come back into the dining hall and have a performer as funny as Dave Hemstad, make us all cry laughing, sounds like a lot of fun. I personally can’t wait,” he continued.
This year, the tournament’s partner sponsors include Bank of Montreal, Royal Bank of Canada, Scotiabank and TD Canada Trust.
Updated on Sept. 8 to correct number of participants.
Cadillac Canada recently honored Canada's 150th birthday by celebrating 150 Daring Moments in Canadian history and inviting entrepreneurs from across Canada to submit entries to win a $25,000 contribution from Cadillac Canada for Canada's next daring idea — which the brand dubbed “moment 151.”
Cadillac Canada showcased four of 150 Daring Moments with artistic creations that included a mural in downtown Montreal of baseball player Jackie Robinson, a light installation in the York Street Promenade at Union Station in late June and a sculpture in downtown St. John's honoring Sir Sandford Fleming, proposer of worldwide standard time zones in 1879.
"We're lucky to live in a country rich in daring history and wanted to mine the past for inspirational moments while looking for Canadians creating their own daring moments today," Cadillac Canada managing director Hossein Hassani said in a news release. "Cadillac will continue to inspire and help find the next generation of Canadians daring to drive the world forward."
In search of moment 151, Cadillac Canada recruited a panel of Canadian leaders from four different disciplines to lead a series of interviews with contestants to find moment 151.
On the panel sat, entrepreneur Michele Romanow, chef Nick Liu, architect Alex Josephson, technology entrepreneur Bryan Mahoney, and jewelry designer Jenny Bird.
The panel selected Vancouver entrepreneur Victor Straatman, founder and chief executive officer of Meatme, to receive Cadillac Canada’s $25,000 grant and a mentorship with panel member and owner of Toronto’s DaiLo restaurant chef Nick Liu.
Straatman’s innovative business supports local farmers and ethically raised meat by connecting urban residents directly to rural farmers selling meat, according to Cadillac Canada.
"It's one of those feel-good pitches. The thing I love about it is that he's supporting local farmers, which for me, is a very important industry. It's something that is dying," said Liu.
To view the panel of Canadian entrepreneurs reveal Straatman’s win click here.
LGM Financial Services announced Thursday that the Auto Dealers Against Distracted Driving Campaign — its 3rd annual corporate initiative — will launch on Mar. 1.
The initiative aims to educate Canadian dealers' staffs and customers about positive driving habits and asks them to take a formal pledge against distracted driving.
Roughly 4,000 pledges against distracted driving were collected last year after more than 700 dealers Canada-wide participated.
“One of the most exciting things about this initiative is the amount of control individual dealerships have over the campaign’s roll out and activities,” said LGM vice president of sales for the Quebec region, Marc-André Lefebvre in a news release. “We supply them with both hard copy and digital campaign material to support their efforts and help kick start conversations with customers, but for the most part, the campaign is what they make of it.”
This year, LGM says, many dealers have already signed on to lead their own local campaigns, in-store and online.
Each year distracted driving is a factor in an estimated four million vehicle collisions in North America, according to the Canadian Automobile Association.
“Something as simple as sending a quick text or engaging with a chatty passenger has proven to have a devastating impact on road safety,” said Nathalie Sarault, a LGM dealer development manager. “As a customer prepares to drive off the lot in their new car, there’s a valuable opportunity to reinforce the perils of driver inattention to a captive audience.”
LGM incepted the Auto Dealers Against Distracted Driving Campaign in 2015.
Supporters of the initiative include The Lowe-Martin Group, Canadian AutoWorld and Autosphere.ca.
Cox Automotive is expanding its Drive Away Hunger initiative in Canada.
Under Cox Automotive Canada’s Cox Cares initiative, the company’s business units throughout Canada will team up with local food banks to raise money and food donations. In a program that started Monday that will run through June 23, employees will collect the items Canadian food banks have identified as most urgently needed, including canned or dry pasta and sauces, canned meat and fish, meat alternatives and other canned goods.
“We are committed to our local communities and our employees are driving this great initiative,” said Maria Soklis, president of Cox Automotive Canada. “We know that many Canadian households are struggling to make ends meet and properly feed their families. We believe the Drive Away Hunger program will raise much-needed food during the summer months when food bank donations are typically low.”
Drive Away Hunger follows Cox Cares’ recent support for those affected by the Fort McMurray wildfires though a $30,000 donation to the Canadian Red Cross Alberta Fires Appeal, employee donation matching and a clothing drive.
