Although Veteran’s Day is November 11, NADA members hold numerous events throughout the year to support past and current military service members. Below are just a few examples of their philanthropical efforts.
For the past two years, Heuberger Subaru in Colorado Springs, Colo., has donated up to $250 per vehicle purchase to support Victory Service Dogs, a local nonprofit that aims to improve the quality of life for veterans through the partnership of a loving service dog. Earlier this year, the dealership donated $100,000—the largest donation in the organization’s history—to provide veterans with service dogs.
“That, honestly, was life-changing,” says Lisbeth Keen, marketing director for Veteran Service Dogs. “That meant that we had money to support the total training costs for nine veteran teams.”
In Texas, Chrysler Jeep Dodge City of McKinney donated a 2019 Dodge Journey to Navy veteran Alicia Simpson-Sampson. Operation Homefront and U.S. Bank partnered with the dealership to donate a car to help the mother transport cupcakes as she works to launch a bakery, a dream of hers that she plans to name “Sweet Escapes.”
“I feel like a weight was lifted,” Simpson-Sampson says. “It’s one less thing I have to worry and stress about.”
More than 60 members of the Chicago Automobile Trade Association participated in its 10th annual USO Barbecue for the Troops fundraiser in July. This year’s event raised about $78,000, bringing the 10-year cumulative donation total to more than $1 million.
"We really started this nine years ago and it started in a small capacity of just a BBQ grill and a tin can and it's morphed into a really big party," says JC Phelan, chairman of the Chicago Automobile Trade Association.
All donations go to the USO Illinois to help local military members and their families.
Prestige Auto donated $12,700 in August to help several local charities supporting veterans. During the month of July, $100 from each vehicle sold went towards the donation. Dealership owner Dan Mattoon says he’s excited to give back to those who have sacrificed so much.
“I never was in the military, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t help the folks that have been in the military and have been struggling with certain issues, coming back from service and being deployed around the world.
I’m so excited to be able to help these folks because they deserve it and they need it,” Mattoon says.
Mattoon says that over the last nine years, Prestige Auto has donated more than $133,000 in support of local veterans.
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