Sheehy Auto Stores leaders and employees were more busy than usual during a recent 56-day period from May to July. As part of its annual Sheehy 8000 Sales Race, the company raised $300,000 by selling 8,012 new and used vehicles to achieve its sales goal, and the American Heart Association was the beneficiary.

During that same period, the company held heart-healthy community events and other dealership employee activities, such as trivia games, CPR demonstrations, heart-healthy cooking and food demonstrations.

The $300,000 donation matched Sheehy’s donation from last year’s Sheehy 8000 Sales Race.  

This year’s community-wide effort ran May 10 to July 5, again raising funds and increasing awareness for the association, which has a mission to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

But Sheehy has supported the American Heart Association in other ways, as well. The company sponsored and has been an active partner at the National Walking Day event for the past several years. The event, which takes place on the first Wednesday in April at Springfield Town Center, promotes walking and a heart-healthy lifestyle.

"We are grateful to our customers, partners, vendors and staff who rally behind our efforts in support of a great cause," Sheehy Auto Stores president Vince Sheehy said in a news release. “We are very proud to support the American Heart Association and all they do to educate our community and help prevent the risks of heart disease and stroke.”

American Heart Association senior development director JP Wiley appreciates that this marks the sixth year that the association has benefited from Sheehy 8000.

"We are so grateful for the commitment and generosity of the Sheehy team and customers in helping us be a relentless force for longer, healthier lives throughout the region,” Wiley said. “With $1.6 million donated to date, we are truly creating transformative change within our community because of Sheehy’s support.”