Local car dealers teamed up this holiday season with Chicago area charitable organizations to help fulfill the holiday dreams of less fortunate children. Area dealers from Fox Lake to Tinley Park understand the vital impact their businesses have on the communities they serve, which is why they have gone the extra mile for causes such as Toys for Tots and the Humanitarian Service Project. 

"Chicagoland’s new-car dealers are the pillars of their communities and among the first to donate to local organizations in need," said Chicago Automobile Trade Association Chairman Kevin Keefe. "This holiday season is no exception."

Ray Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram in Fox Lake partnered again with Jeeps on the Run (JOTR), a local Jeep enthusiast club and Lake County’s largest donating group to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. More than 750 Jeeps gathered Dec. 5 for a 25-mile, fully escorted JOTR caravan that kicked off at the dealership and culminated at the historic Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, where Jeep owners offloaded their Toys for Tots donations to the U.S. Marine Corps. 

"I started Jeeps on the Run nearly a decade ago as a family-oriented Jeep enthusiast club, but it has since evolved into a nonprofit organization that gives back to charitable organizations all year long," said JOTR President Mike Missak. "Jeeps on the Run has become a tradition for local families and, for many, it’s the kickoff to the holiday season. We simply wouldn’t have the success we do if it wasn’t for our supporters like Ray Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram." 

The dealership also organized a raffle among participants to donate a 2021 Jeep Wrangler.

"We’re thrilled to be the primary sponsor for this wonderful cause for the second year in a row," said Ray Scarpelli Jr., owner of Ray Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram and Ray Chevrolet, also in Fox Lake. "We experienced so much success last year and saw firsthand the joy it brought to families in need, so it was a no-brainer for us to be involved again this year." 

Friendly Ford in Roselle hosted an annual "Fill a Ford" Toy Drive in partnership with the Humanitarian Service Project in Carol Stream to ensure that every child in DuPage and Kane counties living in poverty will have gifts to open at Christmas.

Community members brought to the dealership new and unwrapped toys for kids of all ages, for the dealership to "fill a Ford" with all of the toys and transport them to the Humanitarian Service Project for distribution to local families. Friendly Ford matched every toy with its own donation. 

Apple Chevrolet in Tinley Park also collected new and unwrapped toys for children of all ages, in partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots program. Nearby residents helped the dealership reach its goal of filling eight Chevy Silverado pickup trucks with gifts to help bring holiday cheer to less fortunate children. 

"We’ve partnered with Toys for Tots for eight consecutive years, as what better way to bring joy to those in need and give back during the holiday season," said Apple Chevrolet Principal John Alfirevich. "We hosted holiday fun for local families with a DJ, balloon-making and even an appearance from the jolly guy himself, Santa." 

Because dealerships are closely weaved into the fabric of their local communities, many individuals and organizations turn to them in times of need. The CATA similarly has been a longtime supporter of local nonprofit organizations. The association has donated more than $100,000 to local charitable organizations through its Chicagoland Dealers Care program, which helps expand on CATA members’ donations and shine a spotlight on new-car dealers’ positive impact within their communities.

For more information on the CATA’s Chicagoland Dealers Care program, visit ChicagolandDealersCare.com.