Share The Love With Subaru

Subaru To Donate To A Choice Charity For Every Car Purchased 

Subaru needs your help for some philanthropy.  

As part of their 4th annual "Share The Love" campaign, the automaker will donate $250 to one of five charities for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased.  This year, theyre adding a social media twist. Voting will take place via Facebook.  

"Our customers inspired us to create this program to help give back to the community and help those charities that they believe in most," said Tim Mahoney, senior vice president and CMO, Subaru of America, Inc.

The charities customer can choose from are:

• Teach For America
• The American Red Cross
• The Children's Miracle Network
• The Make-A-Wish Foundation 

For more information visit subaru.com.  To buy a Subaru and help someone in need, visit West Herr Subaru online or just stop by our Orchard Park dealership.  Share the love! 

Cars For Good

Toyota Puts Charity In The Hands Of The Public 

Toyota is giving away 100 vehicles over 100 days to nonprofit organizations.  The destination of these cars is entirely in the public's hands.  

Registered 501c organizations can apply online at Toyota's Facebook page,  then fans can vote there to decide where the cars will go.  Organizations can submit videos, pictures or any other form of media to make their case.  

“Over the past two decades, Toyota has contributed more than half a billion dollars to philanthropic programs in the United States, and now 100 Cars for Good will put the public in the driver’s seat for one of our philanthropic efforts,” said Jim Lentz, president of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc,

The vehicles up for giveaway are the Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Tundra, Highlander Hybrid, Sienna, or Sienna Mobility. A six-year 100,000 mile powertrain warranty will also be provided for each vehicle awarded.

Applications submitted by March 21, 2011 will be reduced to 500 finalist organizations that will be in the running to win a vehicle.  These final organizations will be selected by an independent panel of judges who are experts in the fields of philanthropy and social responsibility. Finalists can submit videos, create their own online profiles and rally their friends and supporters to encourage voting for their organization.

So if you have a nonprofit organization in mind, send them some love at www.facebook.com/toyota and they just might have a new car to play with! 

Ford Takes Aim At Hunger

Automaker Helping Families In Need For The Holidays

For more than 37 million Americans, Thanksgiving Day is another day of food insecurity, described in the 2010 study by Feeding America as not knowing where they will find their next meal. Ford Motor Company is partnering with Feeding America affiliate food banks and other organizations on a number of initiatives aimed at providing needed support.

For thousands of families that depend on southeast Michigan agencies, Ford’s support will mean weekend food backpacks, holiday food packages or holiday meals. More than 500 Ford employees in the Ford Volunteer Corps will sort and pack food, and prepare and serve meals at about 30 agencies as part of the Ford Accelerated Action Day on Dec. 3. Ford Motor Company Fund is providing $50,000 to ten agencies to support this effort.

For those that depend on food banks as far away as Anchorage, Alaska, Boise, Idaho, and Providence, Rhode Island, Ford’s support means new refrigerated trucks on the road delivering fresh produce and other perishable food items. Nine trucks in those cities and elsewhere are joining a nationwide fleet of 98 vehicles in all 50 states -- part of a ten-year partnership with Newman’s Own and Feeding America.

“Along with our community partners, we are committed to the possibility of every family having enough to eat,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “This season is a reminder of the privilege we all have to get involved and make a difference.”

Ford also has transformed Transit Connect vans into Ford Mobile Food Pantries for use by organizations in Michigan and Tennessee, and has provided support to community organizations in dozens of states nationwide.

Share The Love With Subaru

Subaru To Donate To A Choice Charity For Every Car Purchased 

Subaru is coming of a record setting sales year, and now they're looking to give something back. 

As part of their 3rd annual "Share The Love" campaign, the automaker will donate $250 to one of five charities for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased.  The campaign runs from November 20th to January 3rd.  

"Our customers inspired us to create this program to help give back to the community and help those charities that they believe in most," said Tim Mahoney, senior vice president and CMO, Subaru of America, Inc.

Over the last two years, Subaru of America, Inc. has donated nearly $10 million to 5 great charities.  The charities customer can choose from are:

• The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
• Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Habitat for Humanity
• Meals On Wheels Association of America
• Ocean Conservancy

For more information visit subaru.com.  To buy a Subaru and help someone in need, visit West Herr Subaru online or just stop by our Orchard Park dealership.  Share the love! 

Ford Bringing The F150 To Your Doorstep

Automaker Offering Home Test Drives For 2011 F150 Models

Ford is willing to come to you.  One-on-one test drives will be held throughout the country from mid-November through end of January. Ford will go to a customer’s home, workplace or a convenient community location for the test drive.  

“The F-150 with EcoBoost offers the best combination of capability, power and efficiency in the segment, and to prove that, we want to give as many customers as possible the opportunity to drive it before it’s even available at their local Ford dealership,” said Marc Lapine, F-150 Consumer Marketing manager.

The test drives are also for a good cause.  For every test drive conducted, Ford will donate $10 to the customer’s choice of two charities: the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or Future Farmers of America.

The test drives will definitely be in Buffalo too.  

David Jemiolo, who tows a 27-foot camper for recreation, will take a test drive when the tour stops at his home in Niagara Falls, New York, later this month.  He spoke to Ford directly on the subject.  

“I’m really excited to drive the new F-150 with the new EcoBoost engine,” he said. “I understand it has electric power steering. I’m eager to see how that feels and how the truck handles overall.”

Ford is touting this EcoBoost engine as being just as powerful as a V-8, with its 365 horsepower, up to 11,300 pounds of trailer tow capacity and up to 3,060 pounds of payload capacity.

To schedule a test drive visit www.drivef150ecoboost.com.

Buffalo Ford Dealers Donate To Good Causes

Boys and Girls Club and Homespace Inc. Get Keys To New Vans

Ford dealers in Buffalo and Northern Pennsylvania teamed up to continue a 15 year tradition.  As part of the Ford's Friendship Express program, the Boys and Girls Club and Homespace Inc. each received a 2010 Econoline Van Thursday at Delaware Park. 

This is the 15th anniversary of the program.  Since 1996, the Friendship Express program has donated over 60 vehicles each year to different charities.  

West Herr President Scott Bieler was on hand along with other Ford representatives.

"We try to pick organizations with a positive impact on the community and that affect a lot of people," Bieler told the Buffalo News.   

The vans will be used to help charity participants learn about the Buffalo area and meet their basic needs, according to charity representatives.

The Boys & Girls Club of America is a national organization serving underprivileged children between the ages of 6-18. Homespace Inc. is a local charity aimed at assisting pregnant teens and teenage mothers.

This is just one of the many charity ventures West Herr is involved with.  Recently multiple West Herr Employees set up a rest stop with food and beverages at the Ride For Roswell. Pictures are available here.

Honda Riding For Kids

Automaker Sponsoring Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Event

Each year, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) sets up the Ride for Kids event in multiple US cities.  The idea is to gather motorcyclists and embark on a group ride to raise money for pediatric tumor research. 

Since it's inception, more than $34 million dollars have been raised to support brain cancer research and family support programs.

"We're going to fast forward the field of Pediatric Brain tumor research like never before, " said Dianne Traynor, President of the PBTF.

The Honda Riders Club of America, a division of American Honda, sponsors the event each year but all brands of motorcycles are welcome to participate.  This is one of just many ways Honda America contributes to the community and charities.   

Registration generally costs $35 but some riders get sponsors to cover their entrance fees.  There are also incentives.  For every $300 raised, participants are entered to win a new Honda motorcycle, an AGV helmet, Tourmaster luggage and other prizes.  Complete registration info is available here.

The rides tend to go against the grain of traditional fundraisers.  At 3:42 into the video below you'll even see Darth Vader making an appearance. 

"We've had riders come here and call these events the Disneyworld of motorcycle rides," said Rod Gilvey, a Ride For Kids volunteer. 

Honda has been involved with the event since 1991.  Each year, Honda also auctions off a motorcyle at Cycle Magazine International Motorcycle Shows.  All proceeds go towards the PBTF.   

• Rides are happening all over, and there are at least 4 stops within reasonable traveling distance from Buffalo.  Rides will happen in Utica and Hudson Valley, NY plus Cleveland and Pittsburgh.  The full ride schedule is available here. 

Visit the Honda Riders Club online or the Ride For Kids site to get involved today. 

Hilbert College To Honor West Herr President

Scott Bieler to Receive Honorary Doctorate From Local College

At their upcoming commencement ceremony, Hilbert College will present an honorary doctorate of humane letter to West Herr President Scott Bieler as well as commencment speaker Bishop Edward U. Kmiec of the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo.

West Herr's relationship with Hilbert is well-established.  Scott Bieler is a former trustee with Hilbert College.  West Herr Chairman Brad Hafner is also heavily involved with the school.  Recently, West Herr's E-business director worked with Hilbert on their web presence and search engine optimization. 

Aside from Hilbert, Scott Bieler and West Herr are involved with hundreds of local charities and causes.  Bieler personally dedicates much time and resources to Roswell Park is also a board member at the Buffalo Zoo and the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.  West Herr will also volunteer at the upcoming Gus Macker tournament. 

"It's amazing how much this company does for charity, it's something Im really proud to be a part of," said Lina Clark, internal coordinator at West Herr GM in East Aurora.

Scott Bieler started out as a sales associate with West Herr in 1975 and eventually became president in 1997 and majority owner in 2000.  West Herr is now the largest automotive group in New York State and 22nd largest in the nation.  West Herr has been ranked by Business First as one of the Best Places to Work in Western New York for six years straight.  

Hilbert College’s 49^th annual commencement ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. May 8 in the Wesleyan Church of Hamburg, 4999 McKinley Parkway in Hamburg.  They will present 240 students with degrees.  For more information visit Hilbert online today. 

Subaru Helping Animals In Need

Automaker Partners With Pilots 'N Paws Charity

More than half of Subaru owners own pets, and they are looking to make that number go up.  Subaru announced a partnership with Pilots 'N Paws, a charity dedicated to finding and delivering animals in need to caring homes. 

"Subaru recognizes the important role that pets provide in our lives. Together, we will continue to give these animals a second chance at finding a loving family," said said Debi Boies, co-founder, Pilots N Paws.  

Pilots N' Paws involves general aviation pilots offering their time and resources to fly animals from overcrowded or unsafe areas to homes willing to care for them.  The charity's website provides a forum and meeting spot for the pilots and families to meet and discuss logistics. 

Thanks to Pilots N' Paws, thousands of animals have been given a new chance at life by moving them from overcrowded shelters to permanent homes.

"We are excited about this partnership which gives us the opportunity to help connect animals in need with owners looking to provide homes for these pets," said Todd Lawrence, promotions and sponsorship manager, Subaru of America, Inc.

Pilots N' Paws helps rescue dogs, cats and even reptiles.  For more information and to see some of their inspiring rescue videos, visit them online at pilotsnpaws.org.   

Dressing Down To Support A Cause

5 Ways To Support The Variety Kids Charity

Around the West Herr Toyota Williamsville offices on Thursday, customers may have noticed employees dressing a little more casual than usual.  That's because West Herr employees wore jeans and special pins to support the Buffalo Variety Kid's charity.

Toyota Williamsville employees organized an internal fundraiser called "Dress Down Thursdays" for the charity.  Employees gave personal donations of $10 and wore special pins dedicated to spreading the Variety Kids message.  

Dress Down Thursdays also allowed employees to wear jeans as a show of support and unity.  The second of two Dress Down Thursdays will happen next Thursday March 18th.  So drop by Toyota Williamsville and check out our great looking pins. 

All proceeds from the fundraiser will go to support the annual Variety Kid's telethon which will take place Sunday March 28th. Channel 7 WKBW will broadcast and sponsor the event.  The theme of this year's telethon is "Help Our Kids Smile."

"It is always great to see a smileon the beautiful face of a child and with the continued generosity of the people of Western New York," said Variety Kid's representative Stephen Podosek in a press release. 

Dress Down Thursdays is just one way to support the Variety Kid's Charity. 

Prior to the telethon, the Variety Club will also host a corn beef dinner Sunday March 14th to coincide with the Buffalo St. Patrick's Day Parade.  Other upcoming events include:

-The Women's Club Kick Off Cocktail Party

-The Sattelite Division Dinner

-The Lunch with "Mr. Food" at Salvatore's Italian Gardens. 

To make a donation or get involved with the Western New York chapter of the Variety Kid's Charity, visit them online today.