KALAMAZOO, Mich., and SAN JOSE, Calif. -

Del Grande Dealer Group (DGDG) recently wrapped up a philanthropy project, while Zeigler Auto Group is working to organize an upcoming charity event.

Beginning with DGDG, one of the Bay Area’s largest family owned automotive groups partnered with the Subaru Share the Love Event to raise $53,336 for Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area, a non-profit organization that fulfills the wishes of children between the ages of 2 and 18 battling life-threatening medical conditions.

Held each year, Subaru donates $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased to a host of charitable partners, per the selection of each customer. This year’s four national charities included the ASPCA, Make-A-Wish, Meals on Wheels America and National Park Foundation.

In addition, DGDG’s Capitol Subaru participated in the hometown charity matching donation program to support Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area.

“Everyone at DGDG is very proud to continue our partnership with Make-A-Wish,” DGDG president Jeremy Beaver said in a news release. “Being able to make a difference with amazing organizations like Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area right here in our community is what we strive for at the Del Grande Dealer Group.”

Participating in the Subaru Share the Love Event to support Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area is just one of the many ways the DGDG family of employees support community causes with their time, resources and money through DGDG Does Good — Del Grande Does Good — the charitable arm of the DGDG dealership group.

DGDG also had the opportunity to assist Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area’s wish granters with fulfilling the dream of 18-year-old Bryce, whose wish was to have a car makeover.

DGDG said it helped to facilitate the vehicle updates and presented the vehicle “to a very happy and grateful Bryce before his first day of school.”

Zeigler supporting Drive for Life Foundation Charity Gala

Meanwhile in the Midwest, Zeigler Auto Group is providing support for the Drive for Life Foundation Charity Gala to benefit the American Cancer Society and other charities near Kalamazoo, Mich.

The event, which also is presented by Greenleaf Trust, Brown & Brown Dealer Services and Huntington Bank, will feature former professional basketball player and entrepreneur Ben Wallace. It’s scheduled for Sept. 13 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo.

As a five-time All-NBA selection, four-time defensive player of the year, and member of the 2004 Pistons championship team, Wallace is regarded by many to be the greatest undrafted player in NBA history. Now a class of 2021 honoree for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, he continues to build his legacy through his work as minority owner and president of basketball operations of the Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G League.

Wallace will be joining the Drive for Life Foundation for the annual gala as a special guest speaker just two days after his induction into the Hall of Fame.

“I think it’s important for me to use my platform to bring awareness and to let people know that it’s time to go to war, and go to battle, against this disease because it has affected every last one of us. We all know somebody, we are all close to somebody, that has been affected by cancer, and it’s time to fight this disease,” Wallace said in a news release from Zeigler Auto Group.

After its cancellation last year due to COVID-19, Zeigler highlighted 2021 will mark the 39th installment of the event, raising more than $3 million since its debut under Harold Zeigler in 1982. All proceeds from the Drive for Life Foundation Charity Gala will go directly to its beneficiaries, with Zeigler Auto Group covering all costs associated with the event.

“For me, and I know for the rest of the Zeigler family, it’s truly an honor to be able to give back, not just to the charities themselves but to the people behind the scenes who tirelessly run these organizations for the good of the community. We will forever be grateful for all of their hard work and all the good that they do in the area,” Zeigler Auto Group president Aaron Zeigler said in a news release.

This year’s recipients include:

— American Cancer Society
— Make-a-Wish Foundation
— Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Michigan
— MRC Industries of Kalamazoo
— Gull Lake Community Schools
— Family Camps
— American Heart Association
— Sherman Lake YMCA
— K C Ready 4S
— Southwest Michigan Miracle League
— Wings of Mercy
— Chef Therapeutic Riding Center
— Walk Tall Foundation for Kids
— Family & Children Services

“We have been lucky enough to be a beneficiary of the Drive For Life Foundation for many years, and having their support has been instrumental in keeping our mission of freeing the world of cancer alive. The donations we receive from this event helps us offer support year-round for those in our community who need it most,” said Cindy Kovacik, senior development manager of the American Cancer Society of Kalamazoo.

The event will include a social cocktail hour, a silent auction, a live auction and a chance to win a new Honda Accord or $30,000 cash. Each $250 ticket will admit two guests and is redeemable for one entry into the new car or cash prize drawing.

To purchase a ticket or for additional information, call Beth Kalleward at (269) 488-2203 or email bk@zeigler.com.