When people need a helping hand, car dealers are always there
We are fortunate to live in a province and country where volunteering and support of charitable causes are not uncommon.
In communities across British Columbia, when a hockey tournament takes place, or a charitable fundraiser is seeking support, odds are that it’s the new car dealership that will be called to help provide funding, time and/or volunteers.
In many areas of the province, the new car dealership is central to the local economy. They are highly visible, and in many respects the obvious place to go for groups or individuals seeking support. Dealers also work with many key organizations that support broader community support including the United Way, BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, and Salvation Army among many others.
Since 1984, the New Car Dealers of BC have been committed to supporting Special Olympics BC (SOBC) through the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC. In 2018, the New Car Dealers Foundation / Special Olympics BC Auction raised $182,000, bringing the three-decade total to more than $4.9 million in support of SOBC.
In communities across British Columbia, when a hockey tournament takes place, or a charitable fundraiser is seeking support, odds are that it’s the new car dealership that will be called to help provide funding, time and/or volunteers
Education is another major focus of community contribution, involving our members. As an example, Kelowna car dealers were instrumental in contributing to the state-of-the-art trades training complex at Okanagan College — with a number of Okanagan dealerships collectively contributing more than $1 million to this effort.
New Car Dealers were equally supportive of the trades, education and innovation complex at Camosun College in Victoria, contributing more than $300,000 to this cause. Today, both facilities provide thousands of students with the opportunity to develop the skills and opportunities they require to pursue a career in the auto industry.
While difficult to acknowledge any one particular act of giving, a recent event that was both heartfelt and tremendously moving — is one I feel the need to highlight for readers.
Ron Jacobson passed away two years ago at the age of 82 — and for those who aren’t aware, he owned and operated the Jacobsen Pontiac Buick GMC Cadillac car dealership in Kelowna for 42 years — and was a pillar of the community.
His family, hundreds of trades students along with community and college dignitaries were on hand for a recent ceremony at the Kelowna campus of Okanagan College where the “Ron Jacobsen Pathway to Excellence” was unveiled at the campus’ trades training complex — and with it, a $1 million donation by the family — the largest-ever single donation to support the Kelowna campus.
Three-quarters of the $1-million donation will be used to develop two new trades programs. The first will be the two-year automotive service technician diploma, which includes both trades mechanical training and business instruction.
The second will be a course on maintaining and repairing electric and other alternative-fuel vehicles. The donation also allows for the purchase of the latest training equipment to support the two new programs and a refresh of shops to resemble a new service facility. The remaining $250,000 will go into scholarships and/or financial aid for students in automotive programs.
This recent event was a fitting tribute to a man whose name was synonymous with excellence — and his legacy will live on through the contribution that will allow young men and women to pursue their dreams.
