ADESA’s auction at the NADA Convention and Expo on Saturday raised $94,423 for the NADA Foundation’s Frank E. McCarthy Memorial Fund, which supports Canine Companions for Independence — a non-profit organization that provides people with disabilities highly trained service dogs.

“We asked dealers and attendees to bid high in honor of the 100th anniversary of NADA. They responded by generously opening their hearts and wallets to help support two amazing organizations,”  ADESA president and chief executive officer Stéphane St-Hilaire said in a news release. “The NADA Foundation and Canine Companions work to change the lives of veterans and children with disabilities every day. ADESA is very proud to once again play a leading role in supporting these great causes.”

Easterns Automotive Group in Sterling, Va. founder Robert Bassam, placed the first winning bid of $39,000 for a 2015 Polaris utility task vehicle. Joe Verde, president of Joe Verde Group in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., placed the second winning bid of $26,000.

Bassam and Verde donated their vehicles back to ADESA to be re-auctioned

Joel Bassam, Bassam’s son, director of marketing for Easterns Automotive Group, placed the final winning bid of $28,000.

Attendees’ $1,423 in cash donations to brought the final contribution to $94,423.

“I can go out and do things and leave the house because I have him. Canine Companions has made this possible for veterans and so many other people with disabilities,” said Retired Army Sgt. Steve Blackman.

Blackman who suffered a traumatic brain injury while in service represented Canine Companions at the auction with his service dog, Gottlieb.

“My life has completely changed. No longer do I wake every morning wondering what the day is going to bring and if I can make it through it because I have Gottlieb,” said Blackman.

At the past six NADA conventions, ADESA said it has raised more than $334,400 for the NADA Foundation’s Frank E. McCarthy Memorial Fund.

McCarthy was NADA chief executive from 1968 to 2001.