CHICAGOLAND DEALERS CARE

CHICAGO (April 21, 2020) - Chicagoland's new-car dealers are perfectly positioned to provide vital and essential transportation services and also to come to the aide of their communities during this crisis. While most dealers are open for service and sales by appointment, many are doing so much more. Here's a rundown of just a few of the altruistic activities taking place at Chicago's new-car dealers. 

​Advantage Toyota of River Oaks- Since the start of the pandemic, Advantage Toyota of River Oaks is donating 50 grocery bags bimonthly — filled with groceries, toilet paper, face masks and more — to people in need within its community. Additionally, in conjunction with the Salvation Army, on May 22 and May 23, Advantage Toyota of River Oaks will be hosting events at its dealership where they’re inviting the community to donate items to people in need. The dealership will also donate a total of 50 filled grocery bags as a part of this initiative. 

Apple Chevrolet - Apple Chevrolet is offering free vehicle sanitizing for emergency personnel, first responders and medical personnel working on the front lines to defeat COVID-19.

Arlington Heights Ford - Arlington Heights Ford has donated food for everyone at the front lines of this crisis including doctors and nurses. The dealership is a true leader giving back to their community.  

Bill Stasek Chevrolet - Bill Stasek Chevrolet is helping make local kids’ birthdays one to remember by offering a free Birthday Car Parade. The dealership is decking out vehicles and bringing the fun (safely) to people in their community. Just tell them the date and time, and they’ll be there. 

Bob Loquercio Auto Group  Bob Loquercio Auto Group is loaning its time and resources during this pandemic to support first responders and medical teams around the city of Chicago and suburbs. Dealership personnel have graciously delivered meals to the emergency room staff at Rush and University of Illinois hospitals. They’ve also been focused on keeping police and fire crews safe by delivering thousands of much-needed N95 masks to several districts and departments of the Chicago Police as well as Streamwood Police, Elgin and South Elgin Police and Fire. 

Fox Valley Auto Group  Emir Abinion, founder of Fox Valley Auto Group, partnered with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital and the nonprofit Cal’s Angels to facilitate the loaning of vehicles to nurses on the front lines of the crisis who need a way of getting to and from work. Fox Valley Auto Group sanitizes the vehicles prior to loaning them out; everything is free of charge. 

Gary Lang Auto Group- Gary Lang Auto Group is doing a number of things to ensure the safety and well-being of those in their community. First, they’re offering first responders and anyone in the medical community free oil changes and tire rotations with pick up and drop off of their vehicles to their home or place of employment. They are also covering customers’ first payment when they purchase a new vehicle so they don’t have any payments for 150 days. Secondly, the dealership has partnered with the Rise Up Foundation to deliver essential items to their senior neighbors in their county who may not be able to go to the store. Thirdly, they are donating 50,000 gloves and 2,500 N-85 masks to the City of McHenry to be distributed to critical care providers. In addition, they are offering no-charge sanitization of these workers’ vehicles using PermaSafe. This PermaSafe perpetual antimicrobial surface and air protection system kills 99.99 percent of harmful bacteria and viruses, makes treated surfaces virtually self-sanitizing and can last and remain effective indefinitely inside the vehicle. Finally, the dealership just received a shipment of 20-gallon jugs of hand sanitizer which will be distributed to different segments around the city.

Hawk Auto Group - In March, Hawk Auto Group donated thousands of gloves, masks, respirators and body suits to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox. 

Mazda Dealers - Local Mazda dealers are providing healthcare workers free oil changes and enhanced vehicle cleaning.

McGrath Auto Group - McGrath Auto Group donated 50,000 medical gloves to Central DuPage Hospital in March. The dealership is also currently working on getting ahold on medical shields for local hospitals. 

Ray Chevrolet and Ray Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram  These Fox Lake based dealerships are offering free vehicle sanitizing to police vehicles within their communities. The dealerships are also providing free oil changes to first responders to thank them for their service. Additionally, as a way to spread joy to the community it has served for more than 60 years, the dealerships bought out the community drive-in theater, McHenry Outdoor Theater, for its opening night. A total of 400 families have their experience paid for, and the local theater now has the revenue to hopefully continue to do business throughout the season (as its business was in jeopardy). 

Subaru Dealers - Local Subaru dealers are donating to three local food banks that will benefit from Subaru’s national Feeding America initiative. Those food banks include: The Northern Illinois Food Bank, The Greater Chicago Food Depository and the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. A total of 1,476,274 meals will be distributed by these food banks to Chicagoland residents in need.  

Taylor Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram - David Taylor, dealer Principal of Taylor Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Bourbonnais, decided to make life a bit easier for the frontline healthcare workers at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee. Last week, Taylor took their mobile service unit to the hospital campus and provided oil changes and inspections, free of charge, to Riverside employees. Riverside workers are working overtime and putting themselves on the front line in order to help stop the pandemic. 

CHICAGO (April. 10, 2020) - Chicagoland's new-car dealer association, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), recently donated $15,000 to Illinois Broadcasters Uniting Against Hunger in response to the COVID-19 crisis. 

For complete coverage of the donation, click here: https://abc7chicago.com/illinois-broadcasters-association-coronavirus-covid-19-john-idler/6049269/. 

CHICAGO (Feb. 7, 2020) – Eighteen area charities tonight shared more than $2.8 million raised by the 2020 Chicago Auto Show's benevolent event, First Look for Charity, and one attendee left with the keys to a new vehicle.

The black-tie benefit, which is held the evening before the auto show opens its 10-day public run, raised $2,812,016, boosting its total raised to more than $56 million over 29 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 Tony Guido, 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 fundraiser are $275 each, and purchasers can elect to have their proceeds equally benefit all participating charities, or any one charity of their choosing. For the event, the auto show floor is replete with live entertainment and a variety of exquisite food and beverage stations.

A highlight of the evening was the drawing for the event's grand prize, this year a 2020 Ford Explorer ST. After the five-minute allowance for a winner to match the first ticket stub drawn expired, Mychel Watts of Calumet Park, in south suburban Cook County, screamed that she'd matched the second number even before the countdown clock began ticking.

"I'm feeling in shock," she said afterward. "I came alone tonight. All my friends declined to go and I said 'To heck with you all, I'm going.'"

Watts directed the proceeds of her ticket purchase to benefit all the event's charities. Wintrust, the Chicago Auto Show's official bank sponsor, gave her a $250 gift card.

This year's beneficiaries included the 100 Club of Chicago, Advocate Health Care, the ALS Association Greater Chicago Chapter, Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Also, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Joliet, Clearbrook, Franciscan Community Benefit Services, Habitat for Humanity, JDRF, Susan G. Komen Chicago, the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, and Lydia Home & Safe Families for Children.

And, Misericordia, New Star, Special Olympics Illinois, Turning Pointe Autism Foundation, and the Jesse White Tumbling Team.

The Explorer was compliments of Ford Motor Co. and the Chicagoland Ford Dealers Association.

The 2020 Chicago Auto Show runs from Feb. 8-17 and is open daily 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the final day, Monday, Feb. 17, Presidents Day.

For more information on the 2020 Chicago Auto Show, visit www.ChicagoAutoShow.com. For high resolution photos and b-roll, visit www.ChicagoAutoShow.com/media/online-newsroom-gallery.

CHICAGO (Nov. 19, 2019) - The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), Chicagoland's new-car dealer association, donated $1,500 to GiGi's Playhouse Tinley Park, a local charity that delivers purposeful programming to families with Down syndrome. The CATA's donation came in conjunction with Community Honda of Orland Park and the Chicagoland Dealers Care program, an initiative that matches CATA dealer donations of up to $1,500 for local charitable organizations.

"Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal disability in our country; however, it is the least funded," said Diane Husar, founder and board member of GiGi's Playhouse Tinley Park. "We must continue to show the world what individuals with Down syndrome are truly capable of achieving as students, co-workers, volunteers, friends and valued members of their communities to ensure lasting acceptance. GiGi's Playhouse offers those skills and helps change individuals' lives through consistent delivery of free educational, therapeutic-based and career development programs - from the time of prenatal diagnosis all the way through adulthood."

CATA Chairman Bill Haggerty and President Dave Sloan toured the Tinley Park-based facility to learn firsthand about its programs and services. 

"When we entered GiGi's Playhouse Tinley Park, the first visual I saw was families and young children sitting around a learning carpet," said Haggerty. "Everyone was happy, smiling and singing along to an educational song, led by one of the facility's volunteers. I was blown away by the quality and professionalism of the organization, and felt fortunate to see the direct, positive impact that GiGi's Playhouse has on these families." 

"The CATA's Chicagoland Dealers Care program was designed to help our dealer members' dollars go a bit further as well as bring light to these amazing organizations that are doing so much good, right within their local communities," said Sloan.

GiGi's Playhouse Tinley Park is privately funded, and maintains running the organization through community business donations, such as Community Honda and the CATA, as well as private donors. One hundred percent of the services offered to local families are free; they have an open-door policy so no one feels left out. One of GiGi's big annual fundraisers is its spring gala, which will be held May 1, 2020.

The CATA has been a longtime supporter of local nonprofit organizations like GiGi's Playhouse Tinley Park. Since its inception in 2008, the Chicagoland Dealers Care program has donated more than $100,000 to local charitable organizations supported by new-car dealers. Additionally, since 1992, the association has raised more than $53 million for significant Chicago-area charities during the annual First Look for Charity black-tie event, held the evening before the Chicago Auto Show opens to the public. 

For more information about GiGi's Playhouse Tinley Park or its gala fundraiser, please visit https://gigisplayhouse.org/TinleyPark/. 

CHICAGO (Oct. 24, 2019) - This week the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), Chicagoland's new-car dealer association, donated $1,500 to The Bridge Teen Center based in Orland Park, Illinois. The donation came in conjunction with Planet Honda and the Chicagoland Dealers Care program, an initiative that matches CATA dealer donations of up to $1,5000 for local charitable organizations. Planet Honda has been an active supporter of The Bridge Teen Center for nearly a decade since the center opened in 2010.

The Bridge Teen Center offers free afterschool programs to teenagers, grades seven to 12, ranging from culinary demonstrations and music lessons to homework support and community service projects. The center's holistic afterschool programs and weekend entertainment events are designed around the interests and needs of teens in the Chicago suburbs, providing a safe and positive environment away from negative influences. 

"The CATA's Chicagoland Dealers Care program not only helps our member dealers' dollars stretch a little further for impactful organizations, but it also helps to put a spotlight on new-car dealers' generosity and charitable work within their communities," said CATA Chairman Bill Haggerty. "We were completely mesmerized and blown and away by the quality of The Bridge Teen Center in regards to its facilities, educational opportunities and entertainment programming." 

The Bridge Teen Center has served more than 8,000 different teens and families from 128 Chicagoland and northwest Indiana communities since its inception nearly a decade ago. Just last year, the center set a new record of serving a total of 1,521 different students. Those students checked in at The Bridge Teen Center more than 11,500 times throughout the year. Currently, attendance at The Bridge Teen Center ranges from 250 to 450 students per week.

"The Bridge Teen Center is built by the community, for the community," said Rob Steinmetz, founder and director of marketing and development for The Bridge Teen Center. "The car dealer community has risen up to embrace this place, and they want to support us because it's the right thing to do - not because they want their logo advertised on our walls. We're extremely humbled by that."  

Co-founder Priscilla Steinmetz echoed the sentiment. "The support from car dealers has been amazing; they pour so much positivity into the lives of our students. We even have a mock automotive service department at the center where we pull cars in and students interested in the automotive technician trade can get hands on experience," she said. "Many of these sessions are led by service directors within the local car dealer community; they simply donate their time." 

The CATA has been a longtime supporter of local nonprofit organizations like The Bridge Teen Center. Since its inception in 2008, the Chicagoland Dealers Care program has donated more than $100,000 to local charitable organizations supported by new-car dealers. Additionally, since 1992, the association has raised more than $53 million for significant Chicago-area charities during the annual First Look for Charity black-tie event, held the evening before the Chicago Auto Show opens to the public. 

CHICAGO (Oct. 15, 2019) - Chicagoland's new-car dealer association, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), recently matched Joe Cotton Ford's $1,500 contribution to the Boy Scouts of America, Three Fires Council, as a part of the CATA's Chicagoland Dealers Care program. 

"The CATA's Chicagoland Dealers Care match program not only helps our member dealers' dollars stretch a little further for these charities, but it also helps to put a spotlight on new-car dealers' generosity and charitable work within the communities," said CATA President David Sloan. "Joe Cotton Ford is a prime example of a dealership that consistently spreads goodwill to those in need." 

The main mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices by instilling in them the values of the scout oath and law. Specifically, the Three Fires Council operates three districts across four counties locally, annually servicing 14,000 youth through its outdoor educational program. These programs primarily focus on developing leadership skills and community engagement. 

"We believe that the outdoors is the perfect environment for a classroom, and we're able to multiply our efforts through partners like Joe Cotton Ford," said Zachary Knoch, Ottawa district director, Boy Scouts of America, Three Fires Council. 

"Joe Cotton Ford has been a generous supporter of our efforts to engage youth in positive experiences that build them into better citizens of their communities, our nation and the world," continued Knoch.

Joe Cotton Ford Vice President and General Manager Tracy Conn initially became interested in the Three Fires Council as his son, Jason, started as a youth scout in the organization ten years ago. Just last year, Jason was named "Scout Master" of one of the two troops within the National Youth Leadership Training at Camp Big Timber - a powerful, week-long BSA program that centers around what a leader must be, must know and must do. Camp Big Timber recently underwent a major renovation, to which Jason and the entire Joe Cotton Ford dealership volunteered their time. 

"It's that personal connection ... knowing firsthand what the Boy Scouts did for our son, we want to give back to the organization so that others are able to receive the same experience," said Tracy Conn.  

The CATA has been a longtime supporter of local nonprofit organizations. Since its inception in 2008, the Chicagoland Dealers Care program has donated more than $100,000 to local charitable organizations supported by new-car dealers. Additionally, since 1992, the association has raised more than $53 million for significant Chicago-area charities during the annual First Look for Charity black-tie event, held the evening before the Chicago Auto Show opens to the public. 

To learn more about the Boy Scouts of America, please visit www.BeAScout.org. To specifically learn more about the Three Fires Council, visit http://adventure.threefirescouncil.org/. 

CHICAGO (Aug. 19, 2019) - The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), the Chicago-area's new-car dealer association, partnered with the USO of Illinois to host Barbecue for the Troops fundraisers for the seventh consecutive year. This summer, 115 local dealerships fired up their grills to host community Barbecue for the Troops events featuring everything from patriotic ceremonies, to classic car shows, live music, games for kids of all ages and, of course, barbecues. The dealerships rallied their communities once again, bringing in more than $146,500 for local military and their families. 

"The money that's raised here, stays here," said CATA Chairman Bill Haggerty. "CATA dealerships are committed to giving back to their communities, and the USO Barbecue for the Troops initiative is one great example of dealers helping people in need - right in our own backyards!" 

Since the program's inception in 2013, the area's new-car dealers have raised nearly $900,000 to support USO of Illinois initiatives with more than 600 fundraisers taking place over the course of seven years. These funds enable the USO of Illinois to lend support to more than 326,000 service members and their families annually.

"We are overwhelmed with the amount of support we have seen this year from our partners at the Chicago Automobile Trade Association and the local new-car dealerships," said USO Midwest Regional President Alison Ruble. "What started as a grassroots effort has now turned into nearly $900,000 in support for our local service members and their families."
In addition to the community fundraisers, awareness spread via social media. The CATA and USO of Illinois ran a #BBQ4Troops social media contest where people could nominate individuals they deem worthy of winning the Ultimate Backyard Barbecue. Entries poured in throughout the month of July; wives nominated husbands who served overseas, parents nominated children who are active duty military and friends nominated deserving friends and neighbors. 

Ultimately, the CATA and USO of Illinois selected Maria Castrellon, who nominated her husband, Javier. In Castrellon's submission, she noted, "Javier is an example of what a soldier should be; always dedicated to his work but never overshadowing the love he has for his family. After a long day's work, Javier always manages to find a way to support and encourage his three children, from soccer tournaments to daddy-daughter dances. For more than 20 years, he's lived this military life moving from one place to another without any regrets." This summer, Javier and Maria Castrellon will enjoy the Ultimate Backyard Barbecue for 50 family members and friends, complete with mouth-watering barbecue fare from Real Urban Barbecue and a special visit by Chicago Blackhawks Ambassador Chris Chelios.

To celebrate another successful program, CATA board members joined the USO of Illinois onstage at Clark After Dark last week to present their check for $146,500. Clark After Dark is the USO's annual summer street festival fundraiser, held in the heart of Chicago's River North district. It's dubbed "Summer's Last Hoo-ah!" 

The CATA and USO of Illinois are already planning for next year. The USO Barbecue for the Troops fundraising events are set to take place at local new-car dealerships on Sat., July 18, 2020.  

CHICAGO (July 24, 2019) - Chicagoland's new-car dealer association, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), recently matched Arlington Heights Ford's $500 contribution to Elite Stars Foundation, a charitable organization offering unique gymnastics programs to individuals with special needs - both developmental and physical.

"The CATA's Chicagoland Dealers Care match program not only helps our member dealers' dollars stretch a little further for these charities, but it also helps to put a spotlight on new-car dealers' generosity and charitable work within the communities," said CATA President David Sloan. 

"During a visit to Elite Stars Foundation's practice facility, I was able to get an inside look at how this wonderful organization helps people with limiting disabilities," said Tony Guido, co-owner of Arlington Heights Ford. "As a local business and dealership owner in Arlington Heights, we take pride in helping people in need right here within our community. Arlington Heights Ford applauds Elite Stars Foundation for all of their remarkable work helping individuals with special needs." 

Elite Stars Foundation began its gymnastics training program 15 years ago to help individuals with special needs of all ages.

"Having a daughter with special needs in the Elite Stars program, I'm able to see firsthand the incredible impact the organization has on these individuals," said Elite Stars Foundation President Michael Jones. "For the first time this year, the Elite Stars gymnastics team competed professionally in Orlando, Florida; it was such an amazing and emotional experience for the team, coaches, staff and parents of the athletes. We are so thankful to Arlington Heights Ford and the Chicago Automobile Trade Association for their collective donation of $1,000. That generous contribution will go a long way."

Elite Stars Foundation attracts gymnasts throughout the area, ranging from Chicago, Schaumburg and South Barrington. The programs are designed to empower all athletes to reach their highest potential, both physically and mentally. Education, training, diet, nutrition, fitness, wellness and community involvement are all a part of its unique program that works to develop well-rounded individuals.

The CATA has been a longtime supporter of local nonprofit organizations. Since its inception in 2008, the Chicagoland Dealers Care program has donated more than $100,000 to local charitable organizations supported by new-car dealers. Additionally, since 1992, the association has raised more than $53 million for significant Chicago-area charities during the annual First Look for Charity black-tie event, held the evening before the Chicago Auto Show opens to the public. 

For more information on the Elite Stars Foundation, visit http://elitestars.org/. 

CHICAGO (July 1, 2019) - Chicagoland's new-car dealers are once again on a summertime mission to raise awareness and funds for local military and their families. For the seventh consecutive year, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) and its dealer members have partnered with the USO of Illinois to host Barbecue for the Troops grassroots community fundraising events throughout the area on Saturday, July 13. To date, 110 dealerships have signed on to support the cause, and are planning to offer everything from patriotic ceremonies, classic car shows, live music, games for kids of all ages and - of course - barbecue.

Over the past six years, CATA dealers have rallied to raise more than $750,000 to support USO of Illinois programs and services with more than 500 fundraisers taking place. These funds enable the USO of Illinois to lend support to more than 326,000 service members and their families annually. Even though the month has just begun, the CATA reports a total of $5,000 already raised. The contribution came from Ally Bank in honor of CATA dealer and principal of Apple Chevrolet in Tinley Park, John Alfirevich, being named 2019 Time Dealer of the Year. Ally is a presenting sponsor of the award.

"CATA dealer members employ roughly 20,000 people throughout Chicagoland, and these dealers are already deeply rooted within their communities," said CATA Chairman Bill Haggerty. "So, when the opportunity for dealers to host BBQ for the Troops fundraisers was presented to us, the dealers seized the opportunity. The USO Barbecue for the Troops initiative is one great example of the vital role that dealers play to help people in need, right in their backyard," said Haggerty.  

"For the seventh year in a row, the USO of Illinois is proud to partner with the Chicago Automobile Trade Association and local new-car dealers for the USO Barbecue for the Troops initiative," said USO of Illinois President and CEO Alison Ruble. 

"The USO Barbecue for the Troops program has raised more than $750,000 to support local troops and their families. The support of service members' hometown communities and local new-car dealerships has allowed the USO of Illinois to aid more than 326,000 service members and their families annually through hundreds of programs and services. Neighbors helping neighbors through initiatives like Barbecue for the Troops makes communities even stronger and joining your local dealership for their BBQ in July is a great way to get involved! From the USO of Illinois and all those who serve our nation, we thank you for your generous support," Ruble continued. 

For those who can't visit a USO Barbecue for the Troops event on July 13, there's still an opportunity to get into the action via social media. Beginning July 1, the CATA and USO of Illinois are accepting contest entries for the Ultimate Backyard Barbecue. The winner receives a catered meal by Real Urban Barbecue and a special guest appearance by Chicago Blackhawks Ambassador Chris Chelios. Submit your nominations via the contest entry form or upload a photo and caption with #BBQ4Troops tagging @DriveChicago on Twitter or @Drive_Chicago on Instagram. The winner will be announced on or around August 1.  

To find the full listing of CATA dealer USO Barbecue for the Troops fundraisers, visit www.DriveChicago.com. For more information about the USO of Illinois, visit www.usoofillinois.org.

CHICAGO (May 20, 2019) - The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) will present the 2019 Spirit of Carol Cooling Scholarship to John Hersey High School senior Tyler Delahanty later this week during a school assembly. Delahanty will receive a $1,000 grant to put toward future education.     

The CATA established the Spirit of Carol Cooling Scholarship six years ago to honor Carol Cooling, a John Hersey High School alumna and long-time NBC 5 Chicago Special Events Director, who passed away in 2013 following a battle with cancer. The CATA, as producer of the Chicago Auto Show, worked closely with Cooling and NBC 5 to help facilitate the station's live TV specials that garnered several Emmy Awards over the years.

The John Hersey High School scholarship committee selected Delahanty as the recipient because he embodies many of the characteristics also used to describe Cooling. Attributions such as "smart, involved, dedicated, outstanding and exceptional" are commonly used by Delahanty's teachers and peers. 

"Carol inspired everyone with whom she came in contact, and not just through her work ethic; it was her passion, determination and perseverance for living a life she loved that showed her true colors," said CATA President Dave Sloan. "With the Spirit of Carol Cooling Scholarship, our hope is that her legacy lives on, and that she continues to inspire students to become the best version of themselves - even when life doesn't deal you the finest cards."

John Hersey High School Assistant Principal for Student Activities John Novak said that Delahanty was an "exceptional choice for the award" as he's heavily involved in a number of activities both inside and outside of school. Despite all of his extracurricular involvement, Delahanty has been able to maintain a 4.05 GPA and score a 32 on his ACT. 

"We're elated that Tyler has been chosen as the 2019 recipient of the Spirit of Carol Cooling Scholarship," Novak commented. "He is an outstanding student - strong academically and very involved in our school community. Tyler has been a part of our theater tech crew, a member of our scholastic bowl team and has been inducted into the National Honor Society and the World Language Honor Society."

"We are very thankful to the Chicago Automobile Trade Association for honoring a Hersey student in Carol's memory," continued Novak. 

"I am very honored and humbled to receive this scholarship, and thankful to the Chicago Automobile Trade Association for honoring the memory of Carol Cooling," said Delahanty. "When writing the application, I tried to convey the same characteristics and enthusiasm that Carol Cooling displayed during her time with NBC 5 Chicago. I am also thankful to my family for helping instill these characteristics in me and for the opportunity to continue my education." 

Delahanty will put his scholarship money directly toward tuition costs at the University of Dayton, where he will be studying education this fall. 

John Hersey High School students will have the chance to apply for the Spirit of Carol Cooling Scholarship again next year. The CATA will fund the scholarship through 2024.

To learn more about the Chicago Automobile Trade Association, please visit www.cata.info.