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Press Release: Missouri Automobile Dealers Association donates new car to Special Olympics Missouri

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 28, 2014
 
Contact
Doug Smith
Executive Director, Missouri Automobile Dealers Association
 
 

Missouri Automobile Dealers Association donates new car to Special Olympics Missouri

 Missouri Automobile Dealers Association and Special Olympics Missouri ‘Drive it Home’ partnership raises a grand total of over $500,000 

Columbia, Mo. – The Missouri Automobile Dealers Association and Special Olympics Missouri partnered for the fifth year in a row today for the Drive it Home raffle.  This year, the Missouri Automobile Dealers Association donated a 2014 Chevy Camaro to be raffled off at Mizzou’s last regular season home football game against Arkansas.  

New car dealers sold over 18,000 raffle tickets across the state and raised over $94,000 for the 2014 campaign.  Proceeds will go towards the Special Olympics’ statewide volunteer program.  The Missouri Automobile Dealers Association first partnered with the Special Olympics in 2010.  New car dealers have raised a total of $525,421.    

The Missouri Automobile Dealers are proud to support the Special Olympics Missouri,” said Missouri Automobile Dealers Chairman Jeff Jensen. “There are nearly 17,000 Special Olympians in the state, whose lives are enriched through their participation in these games.   The Special Olympics is an organization that engages young people, strengthens communities and improves health, and the Missouri Auto Dealers Association is delighted to sponsor events that help people reach their full potential.”

“What makes Special Olympics Missouri so great is that it brings people together – people of all age, sex, race, religion – for a common goal of unity and acceptance,” said Mark Musso, president and CEO of Special Olympics Missouri. “The MADA partnership is a true reflection of that, because it did not matter what brand of dealership they were, they all came together to support more than 17,000 athletes of SOMO and raise nearly $100,000. Dealers are very charitable with their time and money, so this is just one more example of how they support their communities. We truly can’t thank MADA and all of its dealers enough.”

Jensen presented Jason Hegehoft the keys to the new car during the Mizzou – Arkansas football game on behalf of winner Terri Gatson of St. Louis. The other finalists include Kent Burns of St. Roberts, Ruby Turner of Hopkins, Missy Nelson of Carl Junction, Joe Crayon of Kansas City and Michael Knight of St. Louis.

The National Automobile Dealers Association estimates charitable contributions from new car dealers is up 65 percent from last year and over 40 percent of new car dealers plan to increase their charitable giving next year. NADA also estimates the majority of charitable donations from new car dealers go towards supporting local services and organizations.  Over half of new car dealers organize staff volunteer opportunities in their communities.  Auto Remarketing, 10/13/14.

Participants were able to purchase raffle tickets at area dealerships.  The 2015 Drive it Home raffle begins in June.  For more information go to somo.org/raffle or mada.com.  

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