CHICAGO (Jan. 5, 2016) - The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) donated $500 to both St. Joseph and St. Francis Xavier schools as a match to Bredemann Lexus in Glenview's recent contributions. Through the CATA's Chicagoland Dealers Care program, the association aims to advance the charitable support already exemplified by area new-car dealers with additional contributions and advocacy. The CATA's donations will help support the schools' technological programs to prepare students with the tools they need for high school and beyond, along with instruction on how to use technology most effectively.  

"We know Chicagoland new car dealers give back to their communities in a wide variety of important ways," said CATA President David Sloan. "The Chicagoland Dealers Care program gives us the opportunity to join in supporting dynamic charities and not-for-profit organizations, while giving us the forum to give dealers the recognition they deserve."   

Bredemann Lexus in Glenview has a long-standing relationship with both of the Wilmette-based schools. Both school principals say the Bredemann family has been instrumental in advancing the goals of the schools as well as their curriculums.  

"Our parish is thrilled to be celebrating our 170th anniversary this year, and the support of Bredemann Lexus and the entire community has been invaluable in helping us achieve this wonderful milestone," said Laszlo Katona, principal of St. Joseph. 
St. Francis Xavier Principal Colleen Barrett echoed, "We're so appreciative of the Bredemann family's support. The funds will help support our new E.P.I.C. program which stands for 'Explore, Play, Invent and Create.' It is a program specially designed to use technology as a means of helping students develop into tomorrow's critical thinkers and leaders."

"As a family-run, neighborhood business, we are very happy to support organizations like St. Joseph and St. Francis Xavier that make a difference right here in our community," said Marty Bredemann, general manager and partner of Bredemann Lexus in Glenview. 

The Chicago Automobile Trade Association has been a longtime supporter of local non-profit organizations. Since its inception in 2008, the Chicagoland Dealers Care program has donated more than $60,000 to local charitable organizations supported by new-car dealers. 

During the month of October, the Bredemann Family of Dealerships, which includes Toyota and Chevrolet in Park Ridge and Ford and Lexus in Glenview, took part in the American Cancer Society's "Real Men Wear Pink" campaign.

This goal of this campaign was to encourage women 40 years of age and older to undergo annual mammograms. In support of the program, the Bredemann dealerships posted materials and made a coordinated effort among staff members to include the color pink in their work attire, reminding their customers of the importance of early detection in the fight against breast cancer. 

"Many of our clients were very pleased and appreciative of our dealerships' efforts to draw attention to the necessity of yearly exams," said Marty Bredemann, General Manager of Bredemann Lexus. "All of us know someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and if even one of our clients benefits from this reminder, we consider our participation in this campaign to be a success."