SERVING THE COMMUNITY TAKES ON A DIFFERENT MEANING AT BUDDS’ BMW
The annual Good Shepherd Golf Classic, chaired by Patrick Fletch (left) has become a major community fundraising event in the last decade, in 2012 alone it raised $90,000.
Sometimes there is a pivotal moment, an event that forever changes your life. For Patrick Fletch, director of service at Budds’ BMW in Oakville, Ont. that moment came when he visited The Good Shepherd in Hamilton, Ont.
“They took me to one of their hostels and there I met a girl who had been living under a bridge. This really struck me, because I had a daughter the same age. I vowed there and then that I would make giving back to the community a significant part of my personal and professional life.”
SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS
Today, Fletch is the driving force for Budds’ involvement with The Good Shepherd, orchestrating an annual charity golf tournament which raises money and also donates cars. “Since I’ve been involved with it,” we’ve been able to raise more than $50,000 each year, in 2012, the total was around $90,000.”
Fletch says that from his perspective, the real difference you can make is helping those in need on the front end. “That’s why I think we especially need to help children. They are the ones who are most vulnerable. If we can help them, then we can help prevent them from falling into a life of drugs and crime. Many people don’t realize it but the Hamilton area suffers from being one of the most problem areas when it comes to child poverty. It’s shocking when you realize what is actually out there but it’s very empowering when you know that people can make a difference.”
Through work with The Good Shepherd, Fletch got to meet chief development officer Cathy Wellwood. “Patrick and Budds’ have really made a commitment to us,” she says. “Patrick and his staff have helped take things to the next level. The money and support they’re able to provide has helped us fund our shelters as well as outreach and counselling services, plus affordable housing to help people get back on their feet. At The Good Shepherd we don’t turn anybody away, everybody is welcomed and everybody is treated with dignity.”
Budds’ has also been actively involved with Sick Kids’ Hospital in Toronto and again, for Fletch it goes beyond simply providing financial contributions. “I remember the first time I went to the hospital. We were on one floor and you knew that these kids just weren’t going home. It was sad but the staff were so friendly and caring. At the time I was new to management at Budds’ but when I was asked to be one of our charity clowns for Sick Kids in the Toronto Santa Claus Parade I didn’t hesitate.”
WHERE IT COUNTS
Budds’ has a long standing involvement with Sick Kids, with Budds’ BMW Principal Owner Darryl Budd having been a charity clown for years. In addition, Budd and his wife Carly are personally involved in helping children suffering from trauma and the dealership puts money into the Community Foundation of Oakville that goes to help worthwhile causes. “There are stringent guidelines on where the funds go to and with interest relief it helps ensure the money gets to those who need it the most,” says Budd.
Besides this, Budds’ also helps a number of local community charities and initiatives, including Chuckles for Charity and the Kerr Street Ministries, while the dealership puts on its own internal charity golf tournament and encourages employees to contribute to causes they care about. “It’s amazing to see what can happen,” says Fletch. He refers to one situation where a member of Budds’ staff had a son who was very ill. “Everybody chipped in,” he says. “We provided him with paid time off to be with his son and made sure his family had the medical assistance they needed.” He says no matter what the problem is, if there is a genuine need to help and the ability is there, “we will contribute. When people fall on tough times, they can get left out, often through no fault of our own. For us as a dealership, if we have the means we want to help. It’s just the right thing to do.”
Darryl Budd says that “it is not what we do but the people of ours who are involved. When you see staff take that next step on their “own, it puts a smile on your face.”
