Chicagoland Dealer Care Assists Special Recreation group and the Homeless
Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., June 6-The Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association and the Du Page County Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS) organizations have become the most recent beneficiaries of contributions from Chicagoland Dealers Care, the benevolent arm of the Chicago Automobile Trade Association.
On behalf of the area's 550 franchised new-car dealers, the CATA's Chicagoland Dealers Care program matched contributions made by individual dealers!
"In our first presentation of the day, we joined with Jim Jennings of Jennings Chevrolet in Glenview, Ill., to extend his ongoing commitment to the special recreation foundation," said CATA Chairman Mark Scarpelli. "Our combined efforts resulted in a $5,000 donation for a group that provides recreational programs for children and adults with disabilities."
"My wife and I have been deeply involved in the NSSRA for years," commented Jennings. "Like many others, our son has been a beneficiary of their terrific programs. When we heard about the Chicagoland Dealers Care matching funds program, it was a natural for us to ask for their support-and we got it!"
The NSSRA provides more than 700 year-round recreation programs, services and events for the residents of their north shore communities.
Helping the Homeless
In a county where the perception is of luxury and abundance, the reality of homelessness is still very real. The PADS program provides interim housing to help stabilize the lives of those whose lives are in crisis. Their mission is to provide housing and the support systems needed to get lives back on track.
Joel Weinberger, owner of Continental Audi in Naperville, Ill. became involved with the PADS program through the generosity of others he knew. Weinberger's dealership is a part of the Continental Auto Group.
"It was really quite amazing," said Weinberger. "My employees pitched in to give me a Christmas gift years ago and I decided to honor their generosity by contributing the gift to a worthwhile organization. After a good search of many great groups, it was the PADS program that really excited me. I matched their gift and soon found out at PADS functions that many of the people I knew were already involved. It was a wonderful dynamic that has grown year after year. Chicagoland Dealers Care helps extend those dollars even further-and I find that exciting."
The $5,000 check was presented by Weinberger and CATA Chairman Scarpelli to Carol Simler, Executive Director of PADS.
"We're so grateful for this wonderfully generous outpouring," said Simler. "Joel and the entire Continental Auto Group have been angels for us and as we all know, you can't have enough of those. We thank the CATA and Joel's group for their continued support.
"Dealers and so deeply involved in the communities in which they do business," commented Chairman Scarpelli. "It's gratifying that the CATA has established this program to assist these dealers in extending the good they have done with little or no recognition. In times like this every dollar counts. Every CATA member can be proud of this new initiative.