This past summer, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association hosted the 10th Annual USO Barbecue for the Troops fundraisers, where more than 80 local new-car dealerships rallied their communities to bring in $100,453 for local military and their families. The barbecue events, held on July 15, featured everything from patriotic ceremonies, classic car shows, live music, games for kids of all ages and, of course, barbecues.

This year’s fundraiser brought the grand total of the decade-long program to more than $1.1 million, supporting the USO initiatives with nearly 700 fundraisers.

“This year’s fundraiser, raising more than $100,000, is the perfect example of what Chicagoland new-car dealers can do when communities come together and rally around this cause,” said CATA Chairwoman Kelly Webb Roberts. “We celebrated the 10th anniversary of the USO Barbecue for the Troops program this year and look forward to continuing our support of the USO and our local military and their families for the next decade.”

This anniversary year was a special time to recognize and thank the dealerships who have participated in the program every year over the last 10 years:

• Apple Chevrolet
• Arlington Heights Ford
• Evanston Subaru
• Haggerty Buick GMC
• Hennessy’s River View Ford
• Ray Chevrolet
• Raymond Chevrolet
• Raymond Kia
• Wickstrom Auto Group

“We are so grateful for the support we receive from our partners at the Chicago Automobile Trade Association and the local new-car dealerships,” said USO Illinois Executive Director Christopher Schmidt. “This grassroots fundraiser has now raised more than $1.1 million in crucial funds that support our service members and their families. On behalf of the USO and all those who serve our nation, we thank all the participating dealers and their communities for their generous support not only this year but over the last 10 years.”