CHICAGOLAND DEALERS CARE

CHICAGO (2013) - Three Chicagoland nonprofit organizations received extra cheer this holiday season – in the form of financial donations – as the winners of the Chicagoland Dealers Care Facebook contest. The month-long philanthropic event enlisted the public to vote on DriveChicago.com’s Facebook page for a local charitable organization. The charities were nominated by Chicagoland new-car dealerships, and the voters – more than 91,000 of them – deemed which charities should receive extra financial support. 

The contest winners include: Joe Rizza Ford of Orland Park supporting Erin’s AAIM for Change ($3,500 donation and public service announcement); Advantage Chevrolet of Bolingbrook supporting DuPage County Area Project ($2,500 donation); and Wickstrom Chevrolet supporting Project Flipmode ($2,000 donation). The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) and the winning dealerships will collectively present a check to each beneficiary this month. 

“Despite tough economic conditions, Chicagoland new-car dealers are committed to supporting charitable organizations within their community,” said Chicago Automobile Trade Association Board of Director Ray Scarpelli. “We are overwhelmed by the amount of support and recognition the Chicagoland Dealers Care Facebook contest received, evident by the more than 91,000 public votes cast within just a month’s span.”   

Additional program participants included: Dan Wolf Automotive Group and Turning Pointe Autism Foundation; Continental Motors of Naperville and DuPage PADS; Oak Lawn Toyota and Restoration Ministries; Phillips Chevrolet of Frankfort and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer; Autohaus on Edens and A Safe Place; Webb Hyundai and Hyundai Hope on Wheels; Schaumburg Toyota and Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation; Webb Chevrolet Oak Lawn and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer; Bredemann Lexus and The ComPadres; Bill Jacobs Plainfield and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer; Bill Kay Chevrolet and Diveheart; Bill Jacobs Joliet and MorningStar Mission Ministries; Jack Phelan Chevrolet and St. Cyril and Methodius School; Fox Valley Volkswagen and Children’s Oncology Services, Inc.; Classic Toyota and School of St. Mary; and Advantage Chevrolet and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. 

The Chicago Automobile Trade Association will also reward each charity that participated in the contest with a $200 donation for their charitable efforts and community involvement. 

Charities and civic organizations know that Chicagoland new-car dealers are an integral part of their communities and are often deeply involved in charitable causes. However, dealers rarely receive the recognition they deserve for their ongoing efforts. The Chicagoland Dealers Care program was designed to deliver year-round support to local nonprofit organizations and amplify the efforts already put forth by Chicagoland dealers.

Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012 - Eighteen area charities tonight shared in more than $2 million raised by the 2012 Chicago Auto Show’s benevolent event, First Look for Charity, and two attendees left with the keys to new Cadillacs. 

The black-tie benefit, which is held the evening before the auto show opens its 10-day public run, raised $2,128,601, boosting its total to more than $34 million over 21 years. 

"First Look for Charity is a great instrument for the area’s new-car dealers to show the positive impact they have on their community," said Steve Foley Jr., chairman of this year’s auto show. "All the benefiting charities are involved locally, so the money that’s raised in Chicago stays in Chicago." 

As the name of the event implies, those who attend First Look for Charity are part of the premier viewing of each year’s Chicago Auto Show. Tickets to the fund-raiser are $250 each, and purchasers can elect to have their proceeds equally benefit all participating charities, or any one charity for which they have an affinity. For the event, the auto show floor is replete with a variety of food and beverage stations. 

A highlight of the evening was the drawing for the event’s grand prizes, a 2012 Cadillac Escalade valued at $64,377, and a $42,383 2012 Cadillac SRX. Wheeling’s Jill Nelson won the former and Richard Onik of Homer Glen won the latter. 

For Onik, winning the gala prize came on his 60th birthday. "My kids know I’m interested in cars and they wanted to do something special for me. Even before I won, it was a special night." 

One day after winning, Nelson’s excitement remained. "I’m on Cloud Nine!" she exclaimed. "I’ve been Facebooking all day, all night. I’m sure the cleaning crew had a field day wiping my drool off" the prize Escalade. 

The proceeds of Nelson’s ticket purchase benefited The 100 Club of Chicago; Onik’s purchase was designated to benefit all the 18 nonprofits. Other organizations involved in the 2012 First Look for Charity included Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago; Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago; and Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet. 

Also, Children’s Memorial Hospital; Clearbrook; The Cradle Foundation; Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; Franciscan Community Benefit Services; Franciscan St. James Health; the Ray Graham Association for People with Disabilities; and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. 

And, March of Dimes, Misericordia Heart of Mercy; Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago; Special Olympics Illinois; Spina Bifida Association of Illinois; and the Jesse White Tumbling Team. 

The SRX and Escalade were provided compliments of Your Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Cadillac Dealers.

CHICAGO (October 15, 2012) - The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) and Gerald Nissan Subaru Kia Hyundai presented a check to charitable organization Families Helping Families for $1,500 as part of the CATA's Chicagoland Dealers Care program. 

The Chicagoland Dealers Care program helps to deliver additional financial support and advocacy to local charitable organizations already put forth by Chicagoland new-car dealers. Gerald Nissan Subaru Kia Hyundai has been a longtime financial supporter of Families Helping Families, a grassroots neighborhood organization with the sole focus of helping homeless families in DuPage County, and even donated two vehicles to the organization last year. 

"The support from Gerald Nissan Subaru Kia Hyundai and the Chicagoland Dealers Care program is critical in helping fund our programs that provide apartments and supportive services to homeless families while they work to reclaim their lives," said Vicky Joseph, founder of Families Helping Families. 

While charities and civic organizations know that their local automotive dealer is an integral part of the community and deeply involved in its organization, the dealers often don't receive the recognition they deserve. 

"The Chicagoland Dealers Care program began in 2008 as an effort to deliver year-round support to local charities and amplify the efforts already put forth by Chicagoland new-car dealers," said John Webb, chairman of the CATA.  

The Chicago Automobile Trade Association has been a longtime supporter of local non-profit organizations. Since 1992, the association has raised more than $34 million dollars for significant Chicago charities during the annual First Look for Charity black-tie event, held the evening before the Chicago Auto Show opens to the public. 

CHICAGO (Aug.1, 2012) - The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) donated $1,500 to the Anderson Animal Shelter of South Elgin as part of its Chicagoland Dealers Care program to build on efforts put forth by the Chicagoland dealer community. While charities and civic organizations know that their local automotive dealer is an integral part of the community and deeply involved in its organization, the dealers often don't receive the recognition they deserve.

The Chicagoland Dealers Care program was created to help deliver support and advocacy.
St. Charles Toyota has been a financial supporter of the Anderson Animal Shelter, longtime advocates for the humane treatment of animals through direct care, education and community outreach programs. St. Charles Toyota General Sales Manager Steven Alf has a personal investment in the cause as he describes his commitment to the shelter to be "very near and dear" to his heart.

"The Anderson Animal Shelter thrives on generosity from the local community," said Jack Graff, executive director of the Anderson Animal Shelter. "The support from the Chicagoland Dealers Care program and St. Charles Toyota is critical in helping us fund programs to provide exceptional and ethical services to mistreated animals."

The Chicago Automobile Trade Association has been a longtime supporter of local non-profit organizations. Since 1992, the association has raised more than $32 million dollars for significant Chicago charities during the annual First Look for Charity black-tie event, held the evening before the Chicago Auto Show opens to the public. 

"The Chicagoland Dealers Care program began in 2008 as an effort to deliver year-round support to local charities and amplify the efforts already put forth by Chicagoland new-car dealers," said Kurt Schiele, chairman of the CATA.  

For more information on the Chicagoland Dealers Care program, please visitChicagolandDealersCare.com. For more details on the Anderson Animal Shelter, please call 847-697-2880 or visit AndersonAnimalShelter.org.

About The Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Founded in 1904, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association is the nation's oldest and largest metropolitan dealer organization. It is comprised of about 400 franchised new-car dealers and an additional 150 allied members. The group's dealer members employ about 19,000 people in the metropolitan area. The association has produced the world famous Chicago Auto Show since 1935. For more information please visit CATA.info.

New-car dealer Philip Resnick and the Resnick Auto Group have contributed over $10,000 this year in cash and vehicles to Lambs Farm, a local organization for developmentally disabled adults. Resnick's dedication drew accolades from the Chicago Automobile Trade Association, which gave an additional $1500 through its Chicagoland Dealers Care program.

Lambs Farm empowers developmentally disabled people to live independently and contribute to the community. The Libertyville campus provides living arrangements for over 150 participants, and arranges employment for nearly 250 through the on-campus farmyard, pet shop, restaurant, country store & bakery, thrift shop, and at other local businesses. For more information, visitwww.lambsfarm.com.

Arlington Heights Toyota dealer Gary Vicari was inspired by one of his employees' dedication to a Chicago area charity, so when a flier from the Chicago Automobile Trade Association crossed his desk with an offer to match donations of its dealer members, he jumped at the chance.

Vicari applied to the CATA to match his $1000 donation to Maot Chitim, an agency that furnishes meals for needy families during specific Jewish holidays.

"My employee always impressed me with the time he gave to this organization," said Vicari.  "We like to support organizations that are important to our employees and customers." 

That same spirit was the motivation for the Chicagoland Dealers Care program, with allows the association to support causes important to its dealer members.  "Our dealer members are the caring arms of this program," said Mike Ettleson an officer of the CATA.  "They tell us where our donations will do the most good."

Maot Chitim refers to the custom of gathering wheat to provide the poor with the makings of matzo for Passover.  Nearly a century ago, Rabbis set up card tables in front of their synagogues and distributed a few dollars to the poor for holy day meals.

Today, Maot Chitim of Greater Chicago has evolved into a year-round volunteer effort searching for the best and most reasonably priced Kosher products, organizing an army of volunteers, setting up a warehouse, locating recipients through social service agencies, packing the products, coordinating an orderly delivery system, delivering the packages and finally closing up and beginning the plans for the next holiday.

With only one paid staff member, Maot Chitim knows how to make that most of the donations that come its way.

"We rely heavily on the generosity of our donors and the selfless giving of time and effort by our volunteers, said Audrey Lane Schiff, the agency's executive director.

Maot Chitim volunteers represent city and suburbanites, all religious denominations and secular Jews, ages ranging from children to seniors.  Family, friends, clubs and school classes come together for hard work and a pleasurable experience.

OAKBROOK, IL - John Hennessy of River Oaks Ford in Calumet City has led the charge in making a major contribution to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. John and his family participate in the Lisle JDRF Walk every October as a part of team Left Eye, which raised nearly $8000 during this year alone. Over half of the team's contribution came from River Oaks Ford and its friends and vendors. 

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for type 1 diabetes. Especially for children, the numerous painful finger pricks of blood sugar monitoring and shots of insulin required as treatment are unbearable. "The amazing fact about JDRF" says John, "is over 80% of the money raised goes to finding a cure! I don't know of any other foundation that does that."

John's dedication and contribution caught the attention of Chicagoland Dealers Care, a Chicago Automobile Trade Association program that matches local car dealers' charitable contributions. Chicagoland Dealers Care matched the River Oaks Ford donation, contributing an additional $1500 to JDRF.

CHICAGO (Feb. 10)-Eighteen area charities tonight shared in nearly $2 million raised by the 2011 Chicago Auto Show's benevolent event, First Look for Charity, and two attendees left with the keys to new cars.

The black-tie benefit, which is held the evening before the auto show opens its 10-day public run, raised $1,905,060, boosting its total to more than $30 million over 20 years.

"First Look for Charity is a great instrument for the area's new-car dealers to show the positive impact they have on their community," said Kevin Mize, chairman of this year's auto show. "All the benefiting charities are involved locally, so the money that's raised in Chicago stays in Chicago."

As the name of the event implies, those who attend First Look for Charity are part of the premier viewing of each year's Chicago Auto Show. Tickets to the fund-raiser are $250 each, and purchasers can elect to have their proceeds equally benefit all participating charities, or any one charity for which they have an affinity. For the event, the auto show floor is replete with a variety of food and beverage stations.

A highlight of the evening was the drawing for the event's grand prizes, a 2011 Honda CR-Z and a 2011 Hyundai Sonata Turbo. Geneva's Keith Egly won the former and Janice Cacciatore of Park Ridge won the latter.

Egly, whose wife is involved with the Misericordia Women's Auxiliary, said he was considering donating the CR-Z to Misericordia Heart of Mercy, one of the event's 18 beneficiaries.  Cacciatore said she was likely to keep her car for her 15-year-old son, who starts driver's education classes in two weeks. Cacciatore and her husband, Tim, directed the proceeds of their ticket purchase to the Ray Graham Association for People with Disabilities, another charity participating in the event.

Other organizations involved in the 2011 First Look for Charity included Autism Speaks; Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago; Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago; and Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet.

Also, Children's Memorial Hospital; The Cradle Foundation; Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; Evans Scholars Foundation; Franciscan Community Benefit Services; and March of Dimes.

And, Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago; Special Olympics Illinois; Spina Bifida Association of Illinois; St. Coletta's of Illinois Foundation; St. James Hospital & Health Centers; and the Jesse White Tumbling Team.

The Sonata was compliments of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Hyundai Dealers, and the CR-Z was provided by American Honda Motor Company.

During the month of October, the Bredemann Family of Dealerships, which includes Toyota and Chevrolet in Park Ridge and Ford and Lexus in Glenview, took part in the American Cancer Society's "Real Men Wear Pink" campaign.

This goal of this campaign was to encourage women 40 years of age and older to undergo annual mammograms. In support of the program, the Bredemann dealerships posted materials and made a coordinated effort among staff members to include the color pink in their work attire, reminding their customers of the importance of early detection in the fight against breast cancer. 

"Many of our clients were very pleased and appreciative of our dealerships' efforts to draw attention to the necessity of yearly exams," said Marty Bredemann, General Manager of Bredemann Lexus. "All of us know someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and if even one of our clients benefits from this reminder, we consider our participation in this campaign to be a success."