CHICAGOLAND DEALERS CARE

CHICAGO (April 17, 2017) - The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) is pleased to award a $5,000 educational scholarship to local resident Edward Mavromatis. Currently enrolled at Northwood University, Mavromatis aspires to work in the automotive retail sector and is pursuing a degree in Automotive Marketing & Management. The scholarship is part of an ongoing initiative by the CATA to help provide training and education for its members.

Mavromatis is a graduate of Fremd High School in Palatine. At Northwood, Mavromatis helped organize the campus auto show, representing the Mitsubishi brand. Over the past two summers, Mavromatis worked as a porter at Napleton Jeep Dodge Chrysler Ram and as a detailer at Zeigler Maserati. This coming summer, he was selected to be an intern at Motor Werks of Barrington.

"This scholarship will help me financially at Northwood and inspire me to continually strive to be the best I can be," said Mavromatis. "One of my career goals would be to work for the Jeep brand as a marketing team member, and I am very grateful to say I received such a prestigious award."

The CATA has offered scholarships to Northwood students for more than 20 years. The scholarship is available to students whose parents or legal guardians work at a CATA-member dealership and to dealership employees considering a Northwood degree. For consideration, scholarship applicants must have a high school grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Continued eligibility is subject to maintaining a 2.5 GPA at Northwood.

"As a graduate of Northwood University, I have a special place in my heart for this scholarship," said Ray Scarpelli, CATA vice chairman. "A career in the automotive retail industry can be financially and emotionally rewarding and is an often-overlooked career path."

For more information about Northwood University and the CATA Northwood scholarship program please visit https://www.northwood.edu/documents/financial-aid/2014-2015/2014-2015-private-donor-scholarship-list.pdf. 

CHICAGO (Feb. 10) — Eighteen area charities tonight shared more than $2.8 million raised by the 2017 Chicago Auto Show’s benevolent event, First Look for Charity, and two attendees left with the keys to new cars.

The black-tie benefit, which is held the evening before the auto show opens its 10-day public run, raised $2,817,590, boosting its total to more than $47.5 million over 26 years. 

“First Look for Charity is a great instrument for the area’s new-car dealers to show the positive impact they have on their community,” said Mike McGrath, chairman of this year’s auto show. “All the benefiting charities are involved locally, so the money that’s raised in Chicago stays in Chicago.”

As the name of the event implies, those who attend First Look for Charity are part of the premier viewing of each year’s Chicago Auto Show. Tickets to the fund-raiser are $275 each, and purchasers can elect to have their proceeds equally benefit all participating charities, or any one charity or any one charity of their choosing. For the event, the auto show floor is replete with live entertainment and a variety of food and beverage stations.

A highlight of the evening was the drawing for the event’s grand prizes, a 2017 Lexus NX and a 2017 Acura TLX. Carpentersville’s Shane McDaniel won the former and Terry Miller, of Valparaiso, Ind., won the latter. 

The proceeds McDaniel’s ticket purchase benefited Advocate Health Care. Miller directed his funds to the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, another of the event’s 18 benefiting nonprofits.

Other organizations involved in the 2017 First Look for Charity included the 100 Club of Chicago, Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Joliet, Clearbrook, and The Cradle.

Also, Franciscan Community Benefit Services, Franciscan Health Olympia Fields/Chicago Heights, the Ray Graham Association for People with Disabilities, JDRF, and Susan G. Komen Chicago.

And, March of Dimes, Misericordia, Special Olympics Illinois, the Turning Pointe Autism Foundation, and the Jesse White Tumbling Team.

The TLX was compliments of Acura Division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.; and the NX was provided by Lexus Division of Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.

CHICAGO (Dec. 21, 2016) - The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) - Chicago area's new-car dealer association - matched Courtesy Buick-GMC's contribution of $1,000, together donating $2,000 to the Crystal Lake Food Pantry Community Harvest campaign through the Chicagoland Dealers Care program. Chicagoland Dealers Care helps support dealer members' charitable community initiatives financially and with public relations support. The Fregia family, who owns Courtesy Buick-GMC, is highly involved with charitable initiatives to give back to their community.

"Courtesy Buick-GMC is a perfect example of how car dealers are truly pillars of their communities," said CATA Chairman John Hennessy. "The Fregia family coordinated a food drive event surrounding the Thanksgiving holiday at their dealership that encouraged residents to donate food throughout the month of November. Then, on Thanksgiving morning, dealership staff volunteered to help organize the 70,000 pounds of food that came in through the drive. The CATA is happy to lend additional support to Courtesy Buick GMC's already amazing efforts." 

"Without Courtesy Buick-GMC's support, both financially and via volunteer work, we wouldn't be able to run an event of this caliber," said Community Harvest Committee Chair Judy Pelinski. "It's an amazing feat - all of the food we bring in through Courtesy Buick-GMC's food drive and the primary Thanksgiving drive feeds local residents from November all the way through August. Our hope in five years is to raise the food total from 70,000 to 100,000 pounds." 

Courtesy Buick-GMC Vice President Rik Fregia said the Community Harvest campaign is something he and his dealership employees believe in and can really get behind. 

"The overall need for food is increasing and, according to Feeding America, 63 percent of America is a month away from needing to access a food pantry," said Community Harvest Committee Vice-Chair Bill Eich. "The Crystal Lake Food Pantry serves more than 1,500 people throughout the community and, often times, it's people you'd never even suspect are hungry."

Shortly, the Crystal Lake Food Pantry and Community Harvest campaign will move into a brand-new facility that is about 10 times the size of their current space. As the food drive continues to grow, campaign organizers say it becomes extremely important to expand the warehouse where the food is stored.

Courtesy Buick GMC has plans to support the cause as long as it services the community.

The Chicago Automobile Trade Association has been a longtime supporter of local nonprofit organizations. Since its inception in 2008, the Chicagoland Dealers Care program has donated nearly $95,000 to local charitable organizations supported by new-car dealers. Additionally, since 1992, the association has raised $44 million for significant Chicago charities during the annual First Look for Charity black-tie event, held the evening before the Chicago Auto Show opens to the public. 

CHICAGO (Sept. 19, 2016) – The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) presented a $1,500 check to the Boy Scouts of America, Three Fires Council, as part of its Chicagoland Dealers Care initiative. Joe Cotton Ford previously contributed $2,000 to the cause and helped advocate for the additional funds from Chicagoland’s new-car dealer association. The Chicagoland Dealers Care program was created by the CATA to support member dealers’ charitable community initiatives by providing additional financial support and advocacy to those in need.

“We’re grateful for all that CATA dealers do to lend support to their community, and our mission is to amplify those efforts,” said CATA Director Jay Hopkins. “Donating to the Boy Scouts of America is the perfect fit as it aims to impact local communities, and that’s exactly the role that CATA dealers play. Dealers are often first to be solicited for support from their neighbors, and they’re happy to help. However, often times, those stories aren’t told.”

 The CATA’s and Joe Cotton Ford’s contributions will directly support the Three Fires Council’s wide range of programs and services that help the well-established organization successfully train its volunteers, recruit more children and support the rich programs offered. In its 106th year, the Boy Scouts of America is nationally acknowledged, but most are surprised to learn that the funds raised locally stay local.

 “We’re so thankful for both the CATA’s and Joe Cotton Ford’s contributions to help local scouts,” said Three Fires Council District Director Amy Seyller. “These funds will allow us to put better resources into creating programs that impact our community’s youth.”  

The relationship between Joe Cotton Ford and the Three Fires Council hits close to home. Joe Cotton Ford Community Relations Manager Pam Conn’s son is deeply rooted in the Boy Scouts of America and continues to serve the community in which he resides – even as an adult.

“It’s amazing what these scouts do for their communities, and how invested they become in their individual projects,” said Conn. “Three Fires Council provides these kids with leadership skills from a young age and the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with adults. Not only is it a fantastic resume builder, but it instills in them at a young age the importance of giving back to their communities.”

The Chicago Automobile Trade Association has been a longtime supporter of local nonprofit organizations. Since its inception in 2008, the Chicagoland Dealers Care program has donated nearly $95,000 to local charitable organizations supported by new-car dealers. Additionally, since 1992, the association has raised $44 million for significant Chicago charities during the annual First Look for Charity black-tie event, held the evening before the Chicago Auto Show opens to the public. 

CHICAGO, Illinois (Aug. 19, 2016) - On July 16, 80 Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) dealers fired up their grills and hosted individual community fundraising events, collectively raising $160,000 - the highest amount to date - for the USO of Illinois. Participating dealers gathered last evening during the USO of Illinois' Clark After Dark event to formally present the check. 

"This is the fourth year that the CATA has partnered with the USO of Illinois on the Barbecue for the Troops effort, and we're thrilled that this program continues to gain momentum," said CATA Chairman John Hennessy. "It doesn't come as a surprise. Dealers are deeply rooted within their communities and this cause truly resonates with everyone. Rallying their communities in support of the USO of Illinois is one way dealers can show gratitude for all that U.S. troops do to keep us safe each and every day." 

Since the campaign's launch in 2013, Chicagoland's new-car dealers have raised more than $420,000 for the USO of Illinois, quite a feat for an initiative that started as a grassroots program where dealers would agree to set out a grill and a tin can. This past July, Chicagoans who visited their local new-car dealer's Barbecue for the Troops event found everything from patriotic ceremonies - including 21 gun salutes and the national anthem sung by American Idol stars - to giant inflatables for kids, to classic car shows, all to help draw interest and crowds to raise money for local troops. 

"This year, as we celebrate 75 years of connecting our service members to family, home and country, the USO of Illinois is very grateful to the CATA for their continued leadership and generous support that enables us to stay connected with more than 330,000 military and military families every year," said USO of Illinois President and CEO Alison Ruble. "Thanks in part to the 100 local new-car dealers that have participated over the last four years, we are able to continue delivering programs and services to our service members that provide care and comfort and truly send an important message that the American people appreciate their service and sacrifices."

To help raise additional awareness for the dealership fundraisers, the CATA coordinated a #BBQ4Troops social media contest where one winner would be selected to receive the Ultimate Backyard Barbecue, a catered barbecue meal by Real Urban Barbecue for 50 friends and a special visit from Chicago Blackhawks great Tony Esposito. Rebecca Wilson from Oak Lawn was selected as the winner for her entry, which received 415 Facebook votes. She nominated her fiancé, a U.S. Army veteran, who will receive his Ultimate Backyard Barbecue later this summer. 

The CATA and the USO of Illinois already have big plans for the fifth anniversary of the USO Barbecue for the Troops events, which will be held across Chicagoland on Sat., July 15, 2017. 

For more information on the CATA, please visit www.cata.info. For more information on the USO of Illinois, please visit http://usoofillinois.org 

CHICAGO (Apr. 7, 2016) – Through the Chicagoland Dealers Care initiative, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) – Chicagoland’s new-car dealer association – recently donated $1,500 to the Hagerty Education Program to help fund student education in automotive restoration. The Chicagoland Dealers Care program was created by the CATA to support its member dealers’ charitable initiatives by providing additional financial support and advocacy to those in need. In this case, Continental AutoSports rallied the Hinsdale community to raise $6,000 for the Hagerty Education Program and the dealership matched that amount.

 “The No. 1 thing about life is passion, and I wholeheartedly believe in what we do,” said Hagerty Education Program’s National Director Diane Fitzgerald. “There is a great need for talented, skilled workers and we are filling the gap between formal education and shop-readiness. Thanks to Continental AutoSport’s Owner and President John Weinberger and his wife Lisa, we were able to launch a new initiative locally, which drew CATA’s generous support through the Chicagoland Dealers Care program. Together we are going to make a big difference in educational opportunities for young people interested in careers in automotive restoration & preservation.”

 The funds from Continental AutoSports and the CATA will directly support students in the Chicagoland area who are considering a career in automotive, with an emphasis on restoring older vehicles. The Hagerty Education Program is dedicated to the mission of ensuring that the critical skills and knowledge necessary to restore and preserve collector vehicles are not lost. Additionally, the program is committed to supporting hands-on, career-based training of skills and trades while promoting America’s automotive heritage and the interests of the collector community.

 Weinberger commented, “My wife Lisa and I are thrilled to support an organization like this and to continue to foster excitement for the automotive industry in general. One of the reasons Lisa and I started our private foundation was to support automotive education. We both race, rally and collect historic cars and are well aware that specialty cars need knowledgeable stewards – for example, mechanics, auctioneers, etc. – so the cars can be enjoyed by many future generations.”

 Charitable and civic organizations know the integral part a dealership plays in supporting its community; however, dealers are rarely recognized for their ongoing efforts.

 “This is a prime example of the role in which Chicago-area dealers play to help support those in need right in their backyards while rallying support from the community,” said CATA Vice Chairman John Hennessy.  

 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 $96,000 to local charitable organizations supported by new-car dealers. Additionally, since 1992, the association has raised $44 million for significant Chicago charities during the annual First Look for Charity black-tie event, held the evening before the Chicago Auto Show opens to the public. 

CHICAGO (March 3, 2016) - The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) – Chicagoland’s new-car dealer association – matched Lombard Toyota’s contribution of $500 to Salvation Army’s Ways to Work program, donating a total of $1,000 to the cause. The Chicagoland Dealers Care program was created by the CATA to help support member dealers’ charitable community initiatives by providing additional financial support and advocacy to those in need.

“This is a great example of the role in which Chicagoland dealers play in their communities,” said CATA Chairman Mike McGrath Jr. “Often times most do not recognize the integral part car dealers play in lending support to people who need it the most – right in their backyards. Charities know their local dealer is a pillar of their community and, it might come as a surprise to some, but dealers are often the first to be solicited for support – and they’re happy to help their neighbors.”   

The funds will directly support Cook and DuPage county residents who have been accepted into the Salvation Army’s Ways to Work program. Specifically, the Ways to Work program supports parents in need who are trying to buy or refinance a used car by offering low interest loans. The goal of the program is to put these parents – oftentimes single moms or dads – back on their feet as they juggle job demands and raising a child.

The program recipients are offered lower interest loans so they can purchase a car and are required to take financial classes so that when they graduate from the program, they have the necessary skillsets to maintain their credit.

“The Ways to Work program gave me the chance to get a car while building my own credit,” said Pia Easley, a Salvation Army program recipient. “Before being accepted into the program, I had this warped view of what it meant to build your credit but, as a single working mom, this was imperative for me to learn – better late than never.”

Since 2011, the local Ways to Work program has helped 179 people get back on their feet by purchasing a vehicle and building their credit, and the Salvation Army is committed to assisting 40 additional clients in Cook and DuPage counties by 2018. The CATA and Lombard Toyota funds will directly help support these cases.

“The Salvation Army Ways to Work Program is appreciative of our community partners and we’re thankful to Toyota of Lombard and the CATA for their generous donation,” said Stephen Lepse, director, Salvation Army Family & Community Services.  

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 nearly $95,000 to local charitable organizations supported by new-car dealers. Additionally, since 1992, the association has raised $42 million for significant Chicago charities during the annual First Look for Charity black-tie event, held the evening before the Chicago Auto Show opens to the public. 

February 12, 2016 

The 2016 Chicago Auto Show tonight raised more than $2.6 million for area charities, and the two people who won new vehicles both needed just seconds to claim their prizes. That came after two other people failed a five-minute deadline and new winners had to be selected.

Chicagoans Dorothy White and Michael Doherty happily took the keys to a 2016 Jeep Renegade and a 2016 Lincoln MKX, respectively. The ticket stubs of attendees are entered into a drum from which to draw for the prizes. For the first two stubs drawn, the time limit lapsed without the winners approaching the prize stage.

The event raised $2,610,280, the most in one year for the black-tie benefit since 2008. About 9,100 people attended First Look for Charity, which is held the evening before the auto show opens its nine-day public run.

“First Look for Charity, now in its 25th year, is a great instrument for the area’s new-car dealers to show the positive impact they have on their community,” said Colin Wickstrom, chairman of this year’s auto show. “All the benefiting charities are involved locally, so the money that’s raised in Chicago stays in Chicago.”

As the name of the event implies, those who attend First Look for Charity are part of the premier viewing of each year’s Chicago Auto Show. Tickets to the fundraiser are $250 each, and purchasers can elect to have their proceeds equally benefit all 18 of the participating charities, or any of those for which they have an affinity. For the event, the auto show floor is replete with live entertainment and a variety of elegant food and beverage stations.

White wanted the proceeds of her ticket purchase to be shared by all the nonprofits; Doherty requested his funds be shared by six of them. A highlight of the evening is the drawing for the new vehicles, which are the event’s grand prizes and the auto show’s official vehicles.

Participating organizations in 2016 included 100 Club of Chicago, Advocate Health Care, Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Joliet, and Clearbrook.

Also, the Cradle Foundation, Franciscan Community Benefit Services, Franciscan St. James Health, the Ray Graham Association for People with Disabilities, Illinois Spina Bifida Association, JDRF, and the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

And, March of Dimes, Misericordia, Special Olympics Illinois, Turning Pointe Autism Foundation, and the Jesse White Tumbling Team.

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."

CHICAGO (2016) -The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) presented the 2016 Spirit of Carol Cooling Scholarship to deserving John Hersey High School senior, Dejanna Blair, today during a school assembly. Blair received a $1,000 grant to put toward future education.    

The CATA established the Spirit of Carol Cooling Scholarship in 2014 to honor John Hersey High School alumna and long-time NBC Chicago Special Events Director Carol Cooling, who passed away in 2013 due to a battle with cancer. As producers of the Chicago Auto Show, the CATA worked closely with Cooling to produce the Chicago Auto Show live TV special, which won several Emmy Awards. Blair embodies the characteristics for which Cooling was known - someone always willing to volunteer, take on extra responsibilities and hold leadership positions. 

"The CATA hopes to inspire students for years to come with the Spirit of Carol Cooling Scholarship," said CATA Chairman Mike McGrath, Jr. "Cooling was someone who worked tirelessly on behalf of the station and made a positive impact on everyone with whom she came in contact. She would have been thrilled to know her spirit is living on in this manner - honoring students who will continue to interject creativity and positivity into their post-graduate careers." 

Hersey High School Assistant Principal John Novak said Blair was heavily involved in her high school's extracurricular activities. She participated in track all four years, was involved in the school's variety show, participated in a dance fusion team and was even a loyal contributor to a student fan section that helped support peers' extracurricular activities and sporting events.

"I put a lot of effort into everything I do, and I feel this scholarship has helped reinforce that," said 2016 Spirit of Carol Cooling Scholarship recipient Dejanna Blair. "I think it's important for others to understand that skills don't always come naturally to me, and that's why this acknowledgment means the most. I've auditioned for various programs but didn't make the cut, so I kept trying to find other activities that were a better fit and put my mind to succeed at those. This award makes all of that effort worthwhile." 

Blair also commented that she always tries to make an effort to say hello and smile to everyone with whom she came in contact in the hallway. "You never know who might be having a bad day, and I just want people to see a warm face and know that I am paying attention to them." 

Blair plans to put her scholarship money toward her college education at Illinois State University where she will study mathematics and secondary education, in the hopes of one day returning to John Hersey High School as a math teacher. She commented that her teachers and school administrators made a huge impact on her education and growth, and she desires to pay that forward to students in the future.

"We are very appreciative of what the Chicago Automobile Trade Association is doing to honor Carol Cooling," said John Hersey High School Assistant Principal John Novak. "She left a great legacy that has lived on through this scholarship."

John Hersey High School students will have the chance to apply for the Spirit of Carol Cooling Scholarship again next year. The CATA will continue to fund the scholarship through 2024.