Skip to main content
Category

News

2024 Auction for Athletes steered to record-breaking success

May 31, 2024

The 2024 Auction for Athletes drove inspiring support for Special Olympics BC and the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC, raising over $255,000, our biggest fundraising total yet!

From April 15 to 18, the 2024 auction was filled with over 200 luxurious items in sport, recreation, travel, and many other categories. We are so grateful to the New Car Dealers, auction item donors, bidders, and supporters for helping fuel two impactful charities!

Tony holding his medals and smiling
Tony celebrating his medal achievements at the 2023 SOBC Winter Games!

“I am so proud to be part of an industry that is committed to making a significant and lasting impact on the people and communities across this province,” says Blair Qualey, President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. “But it’s also important to acknowledge and thank our sponsors and those placing generous bids because they too play a pivotal role in supporting SOBC’s year-round sports programs and NCDA grants and scholarships for those pursuing a career in the industry.”

For more than 35 years, the auction has raised more than $5.65 million to support the life-changing work of Special Olympics BC and the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC.

On behalf of athletes like Tony Wilkinson, Special Olympics BC thanks all the Auction for Athletes supporters who are committed to changing lives and creating opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities to thrive.

“Special Olympics has changed my life as it taught me to eat healthy food and the importance of working out,” says Wilkinson. “[I like] making new friends, learning new sports, and having a supportive community that welcomes everyone.”

Claire smiling in group photo with other curling athletes
Claire enjoys the empowering friendship and camaraderie of the SOBC community.

For SOBC – Creston athlete Claire Lemaire, Special Olympics is a place where she can build belonging and create lasting friendships and memories.

“With Special Olympics I am more confident, and I enjoy travelling, making new friends, and trying new things. With Special Olympics my life is fuller. I feel happy when I know I can do different sports everyday thanks to all the volunteer coaches and all the local community members,” Lemaire says.

Heartfelt thanks to the dedicated members of the auction organizing committee. Every year, they give countless hours of thoughtful and compassionate work to make this event a success.

  • Raj Autar, First Canadian Financial Group
  • Manse Binkley, Harmony Honda
  • David Jukes, First Canadian Financial Group
  • Pam Keith, Dueck Auto Group
  • Brad Osterman, Kia Victoria
  • Blaire Qualey, New Car Dealers Association

Special Olympics BC and the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC extend sincere thanks to everyone who supported the 2024 auction and look forward to another exciting event in 2025.

Read Full Article

2023 Auction for Athletes Drives Life-Changing Support

Auction For Athletes

June 1, 2023

The 2023 Auction for Athletes was a huge success, raising over $230,000 for Special Olympics BC and the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC!

The auction was fueled by New Car Dealers and supporters who generously donated the record number of auction items, made cash pledges, bid on items, and engaged their networks to join them in making a difference.

Funds raised will help fuel Special Olympics BC’s year-round programs, events, and opportunities for SOBC athletes. We are so grateful to our friends at New Car Dealers for making this life-changing event possible.

With your generous donations and bids in the Auction for Athletes, you help Special Olympics BC create empowering connections, open hearts and minds to inclusion, and break down barriers in 55 communities throughout the province.

The auction website annually attracts hundreds of visitors from around the province, bidding on sought-after items and experiences including new cars, electronics, autographed memorabilia, sporting goods, gift cards, and more.

Read Full Article

Life-Changing Auction Revved Up Support for Special Olympics BC

July 6, 2021

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.

Read Full Article

Spring 2021 New Car Dealers Foundation & Special Olympics BC Auction

Auction For Athletes

May 11, 2021

New Car Dealers Foundation / Special Olympics BC Auction Takes Place May 27 to June 2, 2021

The pandemic has shown that Special Olympics BC’s year-round programs and empowering community matter now more so than ever. For many athletes with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics is the only place where they have friends, where they are active and healthy, where they are first and foremost seen for their abilities and talents. For many of them, the pain of exclusion was already far too familiar.

By supporting the 2021 New Car Dealers Foundation / Special Olympics BC Auction, you can have a lasting impact by helping Special Olympics BC reopen all of our sport and youth programs in 55 communities throughout our province. You’ll help renew all of the friendships and opportunities that matter so much to our athletes (Meet our athletes), who are still too often forgotten and left behind by society.

This year’s online auction will run May 27 to June 2, making a difference for Special Olympics BC and the life-changing work of the New Car Dealers Foundation. Please consider donating, bidding, and spreading the word about the auction and its opportunities to change lives.

Learn More

GivingTuesday and Supporting Car Careers

December 1, 2020

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.

Donate Today

BC’s New Car Dealers Make a Difference for Special Olympics

October 1, 2020

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!

Donate Today

Support New Car Dealers Foundation and CarCareersBC at ADESA Auction

July 22, 2020

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!

Donate Today

The Foundation’s Inaugural 50/50 Raffle Kicks Off March 1

February 28, 2020

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.

Donate Today
New Car Dealers Foundation 50 50 Draw

New Car Dealers Foundation of BC Supporting CMTN Student Success

November 29, 2019

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.

Discover CMTN Awards

Prince George Dealers and New Car Dealers Foundation Open Three Auto Awards

CNC Awards

October 25, 2019

The Prince George Car Dealership Association (PGCDA) and New Car Dealers Foundation of BC are launching three new awards at CNC to assist students pursuing a career path in the automotive industry.

The awards, which total $10,000 annually, include three scholarships and a bursary for students registered in the Auto Service Technician Foundation-Level program at CNC. The PGCDA and NCDFBC have also created a scholarship for a CNC student registered in the Business Management or Accounting and Finance program.

“Like many industries, the automotive sector is facing a labour shortage in job professions that include automotive service technicians,” said Blair Qualey, President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC (NCDA). “It’s our pleasure to partner with New Car Dealers’ members in Prince George to provide scholarship and bursary opportunities that will help forge meaningful career opportunities in the industry.”

The NCDA represents more than 390 New Car Dealers throughout the province, who generate close to $17 billion in economic activity, pump $2.9 billion net GDP directly into BC’s economy, and employ more than 30,000 high paying jobs in 55 communities it serves. The PGCDA provides services and products within the City of Prince George and B.C.’s northern region.

“Prince George New Car Dealers are proud to be able to assist students in this region pursue career opportunities in the automotive sector,” said Peter Sia, General Manager of Northland Nissan. “Not only does this create greater certainty and flexibility for the local industry, it ensures our young people have a chance to develop the skills that will allow them to launch and maintain a career in their own community.”
CNC provides a comprehensive selection of automotive training, including foundation and apprenticeship level Automotive Service Technician and Auto Body Repair, as well as an Automotive Glass Technician apprenticeship.

“Industry partners have been integral to CNC’s ability to inspire movement forward for both our students and the community,” said Tara Szerencsi, CNC Vice President, Finance and Corporate Services. “We’re thankful to the Prince George Car Dealership Association and the New Car Dealers Association of BC for making this investment in CNC students.”