ATLANTA -

To kick off summer, the Jim Ellis Automotive Group wrapped up a successful charitable campaign where a portion of each sale during the month of May went to support local first responders. 

Thanks to the support of old and new customers alike, a total of $65,000 was raised and is being divided evenly between 10 Atlanta-area police and fire departments.

To distribute the funds raised through this campaign, the Jim Ellis Automotive Group decided to split funds between any police and fire department that is the responding agency for each of the Jim Ellis dealerships. This means that 10 first responding agencies will receive a check for $6,500, along with a catered lunch at their department when the funds are presented.

The agencies receiving funds include:

• Chamblee Police Department

• Cobb County Fire Department

• Cobb County Police Department

• DeKalb County Fire Department

• DeKalb County Police Department

• Doraville Police Department

• Gwinnett County Fire Department

• Gwinnett County Police Department

• Marietta Fire Department

• Marietta Police Department

Going above and beyond raising funds for local first responders, Jim Ellis Automotive dealerships are hosting first responder appreciation events in each of their dealership areas. The first appreciation breakfast was held on June 22 at Jim Ellis Mazda Marietta and events are scheduled to follow over the coming months at Jim Ellis Chamblee (July 20), Kennesaw (Sept. 14) and Buford (Oct. 19).

“First responders do so much for our communities and they often do not receive the honor or appreciation that they deserve,” Jim Ellis Automotive Group president Jimmy Ellis said. “Our local first responders put their lives on the line daily for the safety and well-being of complete strangers and we wanted to do something above and beyond to show our appreciation for them.

“Many of our customers made it clear that they feel the same way as they rallied behind us to support this endeavor,” Ellis continued. “We look forward to continuing this campaign through the rest of the year as we host appreciation events at our dealerships and offer special discounts to first responders in both sales and service.”

In addition to the cash donations that will be made to the local first responders that serve their dealership areas, Jim Ellis Automotive dealerships are offering special discounts for the rest of the year to all eligible first responders.

As a token of appreciation, all qualifying first responders can take advantage of $500 off their next vehicle when purchased from Jim Ellis. That is $500 off the best negotiated price at any of the Jim Ellis dealerships.

On the parts and service side, eligible first responders will receive 15 percent off parts and service at any Jim Ellis dealership through the end of the year.