A New Jersey auto group, RK Chevrolet – Vineland, achieved a major milestone last month when its fundraising efforts for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer initiative surpassed $1 million. They are the fourth group in Making Strides history to reach this fundraising milestone.
A Legacy of Leadership and Heart
The auto group’s fundraising effort, named Team Sandy, was started in 2012 by RK Chevrolet President Jim Gee in memory of his late wife Sandy Gee, who battled breast cancer and whose courage and kindness continue to inspire all who knew her. Team Sandy has grown from a small local effort into a nationally recognized force for good. Over the past decade, the team has united hundreds of supporters across South Jersey through hallmark events like the Sandy Gee Memorial Car Show, Think Pink Four Club Golf Tournament, and the annual Sandy Gee Memorial Celebration.
“This milestone is a testament to what a community can achieve when driven by compassion,” said Tom Kennedy, Co-Lead of RK Chevrolet – Team Sandy. “Every dollar raised represents a story of hope, a survivor supported, or a memory honored.”
“Crossing the $1 million mark isn’t just about a number—it’s a legacy of love, perseverance, and purpose,” added Jim Gee, Team Leader of RK Chevrolet – Team Sandy. “It reflects Sandy’s spirit and the strength of everyone who’s walked beside us in this journey.”
Champion of Mission — and a Step Away from Hero of Research
In recognition of their commitment to patient support, awareness, and advocacy, RK Chevrolet – Team Sandy has been named a Champion of Mission by the American Cancer Society. The team now stands on the verge of earning the prestigious Hero of Research award, which would allow them to fund a three-year cancer research grant through the Society—transforming their dedication into direct scientific impact.
“Becoming a Legacy Team was a dream,” Kennedy said. “But funding a research grant that could save lives—that’s the next chapter we’re determined to write.”
