3 dealerships doing good for their communities in July

Across the nation, car dealerships are stepping up as pillars within their communities. Moving beyond the showroom floor, these businesses continue to make meaningful contributions to local causes.

The big picture: According to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), the average annual charitable donation from new franchised dealerships is $30,000. Multiply that by 16,733 new franchised dealerships across the country, and a total of $503,190,000 is donated from the national dealer body.

That trend marches on with three notable dealership donations made in July alone. There are undoubtedly countless more not on this list. Let us know which ones we missed at [email protected]. 

1. Huffines Auto Dealerships celebrates 'Christmas in July

One of North Texas' largest automotive groups, celebrated "Christmas in July" to support Children's Health, a large pediatric health system in the state. Huffines held a month-long toy drive at all 10 of its dealerships.

"For our 100th anniversary, we wanted to invite our communities to come together to bring happiness to kids who are in the hospital this summer," said Huffines Auto Dealerships President and CEO Ray Huffines.

Around 600 toys were collected and given to Children's Health Dallas in a parade led by patient ambassadors, a Santa-hat-wearing pet therapy dog, and wagons filled with blocks, dolls, stuffed animals, coloring books, and more.

Alongside the toy donation, the Huffines family donated $100,000 to the Children's Health Indigent Family Assistance Fund, which lends a hand to families experiencing financial strain due to unexpected medical journeys and displacement.

2. Wallace Subaru of Johnson City supports Meals on Wheels

A Tennessee dealership made a donation of $52,604 to Meals on Wheels Northeast Tennessee, a nonprofit that delivers meals to those facing senior hunger and isolation.

Last year, the non-profit delivered 298,577 meals to nearly 3,000 clients in the surrounding areas.

As part of Subaru’s annual Share the Love campaign, Wallace Subaru successfully donated $500 for every customer who bought a new Subaru in late 2023 and early 2024. Subaru of America put up $250 of the donation per car and Wallace Subaru matched. 

“We want to be more than a car dealer,” said Executive Manager of Wallace Subaru of Johnson City TC Baker. “We’re here to sell cars, and we love to sell cars, but we also believe it’s part of our mission to improve the community. So it’s our responsibility. We take great joy in giving back to our community in ways like this.” 

3. Anderson Auto Group helps out local teachers

As part of the dealer group’s Because People Matter Program, several St. Joseph, MO, teachers will receive a helping hand for the upcoming school year. 

Starting today, July 24, Anderson Kia will be purchasing school supplies and other items from local teacher’s Amazon wish lists. To be considered, teachers must be located in St. Joseph or within 40 miles of the dealership, share what grade and school they teach at, and provide a link for their Amazon wish list in a comment to the group’s Facebook post.

"You typically see the back-to-school drives for kids but you don't see a lot for the teachers," said Rachael Miner, marketing coordinator and customer relations for Anderson Auto. "We wanted to give back to our community and the teachers seem like a perfect way to do it.

Teachers spend more than just their time when it comes to preparing classrooms. According to the National Education Association, 90% of teachers will spend up to $800 out of their own pockets on school supplies for their students.

"The school gives us everything we need and we can do a good job teaching but the extra stuff like on our wish lists are all things that make teaching more fun and makes the kids have more fun. So when we get them fulfilled ... it makes our whole year go a lot smoother," said St. Joseph School District teacher Kali Maloney.

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