CHICAGO (2013) - Three Chicagoland nonprofit organizations received extra cheer this holiday season – in the form of financial donations – as the winners of the Chicagoland Dealers Care Facebook contest. The month-long philanthropic event enlisted the public to vote on DriveChicago.com’s Facebook page for a local charitable organization. The charities were nominated by Chicagoland new-car dealerships, and the voters – more than 91,000 of them – deemed which charities should receive extra financial support. 

The contest winners include: Joe Rizza Ford of Orland Park supporting Erin’s AAIM for Change ($3,500 donation and public service announcement); Advantage Chevrolet of Bolingbrook supporting DuPage County Area Project ($2,500 donation); and Wickstrom Chevrolet supporting Project Flipmode ($2,000 donation). The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) and the winning dealerships will collectively present a check to each beneficiary this month. 

“Despite tough economic conditions, Chicagoland new-car dealers are committed to supporting charitable organizations within their community,” said Chicago Automobile Trade Association Board of Director Ray Scarpelli. “We are overwhelmed by the amount of support and recognition the Chicagoland Dealers Care Facebook contest received, evident by the more than 91,000 public votes cast within just a month’s span.”   

Additional program participants included: Dan Wolf Automotive Group and Turning Pointe Autism Foundation; Continental Motors of Naperville and DuPage PADS; Oak Lawn Toyota and Restoration Ministries; Phillips Chevrolet of Frankfort and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer; Autohaus on Edens and A Safe Place; Webb Hyundai and Hyundai Hope on Wheels; Schaumburg Toyota and Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation; Webb Chevrolet Oak Lawn and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer; Bredemann Lexus and The ComPadres; Bill Jacobs Plainfield and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer; Bill Kay Chevrolet and Diveheart; Bill Jacobs Joliet and MorningStar Mission Ministries; Jack Phelan Chevrolet and St. Cyril and Methodius School; Fox Valley Volkswagen and Children’s Oncology Services, Inc.; Classic Toyota and School of St. Mary; and Advantage Chevrolet and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. 

The Chicago Automobile Trade Association will also reward each charity that participated in the contest with a $200 donation for their charitable efforts and community involvement. 

Charities and civic organizations know that Chicagoland new-car dealers are an integral part of their communities and are often deeply involved in charitable causes. However, dealers rarely receive the recognition they deserve for their ongoing efforts. The Chicagoland Dealers Care program was designed to deliver year-round support to local nonprofit organizations and amplify the efforts already put forth by Chicagoland dealers.