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The pandemic has been especially hard for people with intellectual disabilities. This year, more than ever, funds raised by the New Car Dealers Foundation / Special Olympics BC Auction make a difference in the lives of SOBC athletes.

Running from May 27 to June 2, the 2021 New Car Dealers Foundation / Special Olympics BC Auction raised a record $215,000. New Car Dealers and supporters steered the event to success by donating more than 280 auction items, making cash pledges, soliciting donations, and bidding on items.

“The 2021 auction was particularly important because it showed that even during times when we all are faced with extra challenges in our lives, we all came together as an industry to continue to show our unwavering support for this important cause. It demonstrates that we all have the ability to make a big difference in the lives of Special Olympics athletes, and show them how much we care,” New Car Dealers Foundation of BC Chairperson Heather Headley said.

Since its inception, the auction has raised more than $5.4 million to support SOBC’s life-changing year-round sport programs for people with intellectual disabilities, and the empowering work of the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC.

The New Car Dealers Foundation of BC is participating in #GivingTuesday!

On this occasion of GivingTuesday, we wanted to take a moment to share our thanks for the many ways that BC’s New Car Dealers make a significant difference in their communities across the province for a wide variety of charities and community-supporting events. You are truly making a difference with big impact, and we thank you!

100% of your donation to the Foundation goes to supporting eligible students in British Columbia, through CarCareerBC grants and scholarships, who wish to pursue post-secondary education or training leading to a career in the automotive industry.

In 2020, the Foundation awarded over $40,000 in education grants to students pursuing careers in the automotive industry. Grants range in value from $500 to $2,500 and are provided as tuition credit or towards the purchase of new tools. Grant funding is made to the post-secondary school with restricted use for tuition, or to an approved tool supplier.

About GivingTuesday

GivingTuesday is the world’s largest generosity movement. Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a stranger, or giving to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts, and everyone has something to give.

The 2020 New Car Dealers Foundation / Special Olympics BC Auction raised more than $171,000

Running from September 18 to 24, the 2020 New Car Dealers Foundation / Special Olympics BC Auction raised more than $171,000 in silent auction items, cash donations, and sponsorships to support the life-changing work of Special Olympics BC and the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC.

The auction featured more than 250 exciting items donated by New Car Dealers members and supporters to benefit Special Olympics BC and the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC. The headline prize was a 2020 Honda Civic DX Sedan, which was generously donated by BC Honda Dealers. The event also included other unique and sought-after items in automotive, business, food, lifestyle, media, sport, travel, and wine.

Thank you to to all the NCDA Members and dealerships who so generously supported!

Matching Funds from First Canadian

On July 23 at the ADESA Auction with every vehicle you buy or sell at ADESA, you will have the option to add a donation to the New Car Dealers Foundation. Our friends at First Canadian will MATCH your donation, up to $10,000!

The New Car Dealers Foundation of BC exists to provide CarCareerBC grants and scholarships to young people for automotive industry programs that lead to work at new car dealerships, and supports other charities throughout BC where local dealers are involved.

We have the opportunity to make a huge impact on the lives of Special Olympics BC Athletes and students around the province, but we can’t do it without your support. Thanks for getting involved with this great initiative!

For more information or questions, please contact info@newcardealers.ca.

Thank you for your support!

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.