Harv Craven

For the first time in the history of the New Car Dealers Foundation, a new 50/50 raffle will launch and be featured at the 100th anniversary of the Vancouver International Auto Show.

Proceeds from the raffle will go towards supporting the New Car Dealers Foundation’s charitable and educational initiatives, which include financial contributions to Special Olympics BC as well as scholarships and grants for post-secondary students looking to pursue a career with BC’s New Car Dealers.

Tickets will be available for purchase online starting March 1 and will be available for purchase onsite at the Vancouver International Auto Show.

The New Car Dealers Foundation of BC has awarded more than $500,000 in education grants ranging from $500 to $2,500. The grants are then put towards paying for tuition or for things such as the purchase of new tools to support aspiring automotive industry workers. The Foundation, along with BC’s New Car Dealers and Special Olympics BC, have raised over $5 Million together over the years.

“We’re very excited to be introducing a 50/50 draw for the first time at the show this year to help support all the great initiatives the New Car Dealers Foundation undertakes,” said Blair Qualey, President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association, which operates the New Car Dealers Foundation. “We’re continually reminded of the positive impact the Foundation’s initiatives have on those they touch and that only increases our devotion to raising funds,” he added.

The winning ticket will be drawn at the New Car Dealers Foundation booth at the Vancouver International Auto Show on Sunday March 29 at 5:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased as 3 for $5, 7 for $10, 50 for $20 and 150 for $50. Tickets can be purchased by credit card online starting at Noon on Monday, March 1 and then in-person throughout the show until March 29, with credit card, debit card and cash from March 25–29. Sales will cut off online and onsite at 4:00 PM, March 29. There is no ticket purchase limit.

The CMTN Foundation recognised student success and celebrated the contributions of its many donors at its donor dinner and appreciation event last night.

The annual dinner is an opportunity for donors to meet and interact with award recipients and celebrate the success of students who receive scholarships, grants, bursaries and awards.

One of the highlights of the evening included a donation of $10,000 to the CMTN Foundation from the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC – the second such contribution in a three-year commitment to donate a total of $30,000 to the CMTN Foundation in support of three award categories for students.

“We are so grateful to have the support for our students from the New Car Dealers Foundation through its three-year commitment,” says CMTN Foundation CEO, Brian Badge. “Investing in students is an investment in the future and we know this helps students when they need it most.”

In conjunction with the Terrace Auto Dealers Association, the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC offers three award categories to students of Coast Mountain College: Automotive Foundations Awards (4 x $1,500), Automotive Apprentice Awards (2 x $1,000), and Business Awards (2 x $1,000). These awards are available annually in the Fall of 2018, 2019, and 2020.

“The automotive sector is facing a labour shortage in job professions that include automotive service technicians. It is our pleasure to partner with the CMTN Foundation and the Terrace Auto Dealers Association to contribute to education grants that will help young people forge meaningful careers at BC’s New Car Dealers,” says Blair Qualey, President and CEO, of the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC.

The New Car Dealers Foundation of BC is committed to driving education and community involvement and exists to provide CarCareerBC grants to young people for programs that lead to work at new car dealerships. Additionally, the Foundation supports charities throughout BC where local dealers are involved.

The New Car Dealers Foundation is operated by the New Car Dealers Association of BC (NCDA), which represents more than 390 New Car Dealers throughout the province. NCDA members generate close to $17 billion in economic activity, pump $2.9 billion net GDP directly into BC’s economy, and employ more than 3,000 high paying jobs in over 55 communities. The Terrace Auto Dealers provides services and products within the Terrace and BC’s north coast region.

Thanks to the generosity of BC’s New Car Dealers and supporters throughout the province, the 2019 New Car Dealers Foundation / Special Olympics BC Auction raised significant funds to benefit the empowering work of the two beneficiary charities.

With more than 280 items and a record number of bidders, the 2019 auction raised more than $178,000 for Special Olympics BC and the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC.

Over its three decades of inspiration, this important event has raised nearly $5.1 million to support Special Olympics BC’s life-changing year-round sport programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities, and the empowering work of the New Car Dealers Foundation.

Our heartfelt thanks go out to the many Dealers and supporters who contributed to the success of this year’s auction by making a cash pledge, donating auction items, soliciting donations, and/or bidding on items. Sincere thanks to the BC Honda Dealers Association, Chevrolet Buick GMC Dealers of BC, and Pacific Toyota Dealers for leading the way in giving back by each donating a sought-after vehicle to the auction.

We are so grateful for the dedicated members of the auction organizing committee. Every year they give countless hours of thoughtful and compassionate work in order to make this event a success, always looking for the best ways to help Special Olympics athletes and the important programs of the New Car Dealers Foundation. Thanks to:

• Manse Binkley, Harmony Honda and Harmony Acura
• Doug Bower, Vancouver Sun and The Province
• Marnie Carter, Carter Auto Family
• John Chesman
• Heather Headley, Pacific Honda
• Pamela Keith, Dueck Auto Group
• Joe Mitchell, Carter Auto Family
• Blair Qualey, New Car Dealers Association
• John Wynia, Harbourview Volkswagen

Having seen SOBC athletes speak at events and impress significant crowds, Chesman says he has been impressed by their courage, and he notes the confidence and pride they gain with Special Olympics.

“It’s huge. You give [the athletes] an opportunity, No. 1, and through sports, you can get an awful lot of confidence and camaraderie and start to feel good about themselves,” he says. “I think Special Olympics is an unbelievably good organization.”

Special thanks to the following dealers for making a cash pledge and or donating an auction item:

• Applewood Auto Group
• Auto West BMW
• Bannister Cadillac Buick GMC Kelowna
• Bannister Chevrolet Buick GMC Vernon
• Bannister Ford Dawson Creek
• Bannister Honda
• Brian Jessel BMW
• Brian McLean Chevrolet Buick GMC
• Browns Chevrolet Buick GMC
• Cam Clark Ford Lincoln
• Capilano Volkswagen
• Carter Auto Family
• Champion Chevrolet
• Cowell Auto Group
• Dueck Downtown
• Dueck on Marine
• Dueck Richmond
• Freeway Mazda
• GAIN Group, Vancouver Island
• Hallmark Ford Sales Ltd.
• Harmony Acura
• Harmony Honda
• Huber Bannister Chevrolet
• Jenner Chevrolet Corvette Buick GMC
• Jim Pattison Auto Group
• Jim Pattison Chrysler Jeep Dodge
• Jim Pattison Hyundai
• Jim Pattison Lexus
• Jim Pattison Subaru
• Jim Pattison Toyota
• Jim Pattison Volkswagen
• Jim Pattison Volvo
• Laird Wheaton Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac
• MacCarthy GM
• Metrotown Mazda
• Mini Richmond
• North Vancouver Nissan
• Pacific Honda
• Park Shore BMW
• Preston Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac Ltd.
• Salmon Arm GM
• Smith Chevrolet Cadillac Ltd.
• West Coast Auto Group
• Wheaton Chevrolet Buick Cadillac GMC

Special Olympics BC and the New Car Dealers Foundation extend sincere thanks to everyone who supported the 2019 auction and look forward to further growth in 2020.

The Terrace Auto Dealers and New Car Dealers Foundation of BC work with Coast Mountain College on developing several new awards, to begin in 2019.

The Terrace Auto Dealers and the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC are each contributing equally to the awards.

These new awards will support students enrolled in Trades Foundations, Trades Apprentice, and Business programs at Coast Mountain College, who are planning to pursue further education in the Automotive program, and meet the outlined criteria.

The Terrace Auto Dealers Association & New Car Dealers Foundation of BC Awards:

Automotive Foundations
4 awards at $1,500 each

Automotive Apprentice Levels 2, 3, or 4
2 awards at $1,000 each

1st Year Business Certificate or 2nd Year Business Diploma
2 awards at $1,000 each

Matching Funds
Coast Mountain College Foundation is matching 100% of the annual contribution. The total matching funds in the partnership between New Car Dealers Foundation of BC and CMTN Foundation will be endowed, and revenue from the endowment will be used to disburse an additional award.

As with awards established at other post-secondary schools, Coast Mountain College will collect and review applications. We look forward to sharing photos of future award recipients!

Since 2015, the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC has donated over $41,500 to support Vancouver Island University students.

Since inception of the awards, 21 students have been supported on their academic journeys. The New Car Dealers Foundation has two awards established with Vancouver Island University (VIU). One award is geared towards business students, and the other is for those in trades.

New Car Dealers of BC Foundation Award for Business Students
This award is available to continuing students in a Business program. Preferred applicants will be those who have an interest in a technical, accounting, management, sales or marketing career with the New Car Dealers of BC.

New Car Dealers of BC Foundation Award for Trades Students
This award is available to students in the Automotive Service Technician program, with preferred applicants participating in an Apprenticeship, and who have an interest in a career with the New Car Dealers of BC.

On July 11, 2018, the growing partnership between NCDA and VIU was celebrated by awarding students a collective $10,000. John Wynia, past Chairman of the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC, attended the awards presentation. Congratulations to Business Award recipients Alexis Bouma and Nicole Poulsen, and Trades Award recipients Kameron O’Keefe, Dylan Peach-Brown, and Ethan Aspin.

A special thank you to Janice Krall and Susie Cowell from VIU for arranging the event.

A sincere thank you all of the New Car Dealers and supporters who contributed to the success of the 2018 New Car Dealers Foundation / Special Olympics BC Auction!

This year’s event raised more than $182,000, raising the three-decade total to more than $4.9 million in support of Special Olympics BC and the work of the New Car Dealers Foundation.

The 2018 auction included 248 popular prizes in the following categories: Automotive and Business, Food and Wine, Lifestyle, Media, and Sport and Travel.

A heartfelt thank you to the many dealers who generously supported this year’s auction by making a cash pledge, donating auction items, soliciting donations, and/or bidding on items– please see a listing of supporters at the bottom of this article. Our deepest thanks also go to the dedicated auction committee, who so generously give countless hours to make this event a success for the charities:

• Manse Binkley, Harmony Honda and Harmony Acura
• Doug Bower, Vancouver Sun and The Province
• Marnie Carter, Carter Auto Family
• John Chesman
• Pamela Keith, Dueck Auto Group
• Joe Mitchell, Carter Auto Family
• Blair Qualey, New Car Dealers Association
• John Wynia, Harbourview Volkswagen

This year’s fundraising total will help SOBC support both its 18 summer and winter sports programs for people with intellectual disabilities. The funds are also vital to helping SOBC’s year-round fitness program, and it’s Healthy Athletes’ initiatives.

Through Healthy Athletes, health care professionals receive training about the specific health care concerns of people with intellectual disabilities and how to ask the right questions, helping them draw out issues. Their interactions with Special Olympics athletes lead to referrals back into the health care system that ensures the individuals will get the treatment they need.

Sarah Russell, Health and Engagement Coordinator for SOBC, recently made the trip to Prince Rupert for a Healthy Athletes screening.

“There’s a real appetite for these events in the communities,” said Russell. “The coaches and athletes that came through were really engaged in the program.”

Russell said the athletes were particularly interested in better food nutrition information.

“It’s important to be able to get information like nutrition and healthy food choices into the athlete’s hands. Sometimes they are surprised to find out what’s wrong with some of their favourite foods.”

People with intellectual disabilities experience more difficulty accessing services than others in their communities. Globally, millions of people with intellectual disabilities lack access to quality healthcare and experience dramatically higher rates of preventable disease, chronic pain and suffering, and premature death in every country around the world.

Fundraising from the New Car Dealers Foundation auction goes a long way to improving the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in B.C.

BC’s New Car Dealers have been helping Special Olympics BC change lives through the power of sport since 1984. The annual auction began in 1987 as the popular Casino Auction in support of SOBC, chaired by Sherrold Haddad. Over the last three decades, the auction has continually grown and changed, adopting new technology and tools to strengthen the event to provide significant funding to the New Car Dealers Foundation and Special Olympics BC.

The funds raised by the auction also supports the work of the New Car Dealers Foundation. The Foundation awards CarCareerBC education grants to eligible students in B.C. who wish to pursue post-secondary education or training leading to a career in the automotive industry. CarCareerBC grants provide financial support towards the cost of tuition and books for recipients enrolled in applicable apprenticeship, training or education with institutions including Vancouver Island University, BCIT, Georgian College and Okanagan College.

Special Olympics BC and the New Car Dealers Foundation extend sincere thanks to everyone who supported the 2018 auction and looks forward to further growth in 2019.

A special thank you to the following dealers for making a cash pledge and or donating an auction item:

• Applewood Auto Group
• Auto West BMW
• Bannister Cadillac Buick GMC Ltd.
• Barnes Wheaton Group
• Brian Jessel BMW
• Brian McLean Chevrolet Buick GMC
• Cam Clark Ford Lincoln
• Carter Auto Family
• Dueck on Marine
• Dueck Richmond
• Dueck Terminal
• GAIN Group
• Harmony Acura
• Harmony Honda
• Harris Auto Group
• Jacobsen Excellence
• Jenner Chevrolet Buick GMC Ltd.
• Jim Pattison Chrysler Jeep Dodge
• Jim Pattison Hyundai
• Jim Pattison Subaru
• Jim Pattison Volkswagen
• Jim Pattison Volvo
• E.J. Klassen Motorcade Ltd.
• Laird Wheaton GM
• MacCarthy Motors (Terrace) Ltd.
• Metrotown Mazda
• Mini Richmond
• Pacific Honda
• Park Shore Motors Ltd.
• Preston Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac Ltd.
• Smith Chevrolet Cadillac Ltd.
• Tyee Chevrolet Buick GMC Ltd.
• Wheaton Chevrolet Buick Cadillac GMC Ltd.

Special Olympics BC is so grateful for the ongoing support of the New Car Dealers who make the auction happen and who bid for the betterment of the charities.

The New Car Dealers Foundation of BC is helping power success with $10,000 annually in new awards for Trades and Business students at Okanagan College.

The annual awards ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 each will support students in the Automotive Service Technician apprenticeship and foundation programs, plus the Business Administration program.

“The demand for skilled automotive service technicians and business professionals is increasing throughout the automotive sector,” said Blair Qualey, president and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC.

“We see partnerships with training institutions like Okanagan College as integral to service delivery and the prosperity of our member dealerships.”

There are 29 new car dealer members in the Okanagan including six dealerships operated by Sentes Automotive.

Adam Rich, Sentes Automotive Group General Manager, says he hopes the awards will encourage more young people to enter the automotive industry and stay local after graduation.

“We’re always looking for more technicians. We know the value of the Okanagan College program, we’ve hired grads in the past, and we’re thrilled to support it,” said Rich.

“We are very grateful to the New Car Dealers Foundation for this investment in our students’ futures,” said Kathy Butler, executive director of the Okanagan College Foundation.

“The creation of these new awards will both help attract and retain students, ultimately connecting them to a vibrant and expanding industry, especially in the Okanagan.”

“These awards are unique in that they will open doors for trades students while also supporting the next generation of business professionals pursuing careers in the automotive sector.”

The New Car Dealers Foundation presented its first set of awards in Kelowna in April.

Among the recipients was Paul Whitlock, a student in the Automotive Service Technician program. Whitlock plans to complete his Red Seal Endorsement and then go on to business school.

“This award will make it easier for me to progress through my apprenticeship with less stress about being able to afford it all,” said Whitlock. “I can’t thank the donors enough for this very generous gift. It will help me achieve my dream.”

Article by Barry Gerding, Kelowna Capital News