The CATA recently donated $1,500 to three separate charitable organizations. The donation came via the CATA’s Chicagoland Dealers Care program in conjunction with donations by Ray Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Raymond Chevrolet of Antioch and Ron Tirapelli Ford. Through Chicagoland Dealers Care, the CATA matches up to $1,500 of a member dealer’s donation to local charitable organizations. Since its inception in 2008, the grassroots Chicagoland Dealers Care program has donated more than $130,000 to local charitable organizations.
Jeeps on the Run
A $1,500 donation was made to Jeeps on the Run (JOTR) and its mission to support the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. This donation came in conjunction with Fox Lake-based Ray Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.
JOTR, a local Jeep enthusiast club, has supported various causes, including St. Baldricks, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, breast cancer, heart disease, local food pantries and most notably, Toys for Tots. In existence for 12 years, JOTR has raised more than $2 million in donations for the charities it supports. Ray Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram has partnered with JOTR for the past five years, donating more than $250,000 to the nonprofit organization.
“Jeeps on the Run is the perfect example of when car culture marries with a charity,” said Ray Scarpelli Jr., owner of Ray Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and Ray Chevrolet. “We are proud to say that 100% of our donation goes directly to Jeeps on the Run and the charities it supports.”
Open Arms Mission
In conjunction with Raymond Chevrolet of Antioch, a $1,500 donation was made to Open Arms Mission.
Open Arms Mission, now in its 24th year, services Antioch and Lake Villa Townships. The nonprofit organization assists neighbors with food, daily living necessities and outreach referrals. They serve, on average, 235 local families per week, offering them the opportunity to come once a week. Beyond the food pantry, Open Arms Mission works with families on rental assistance, auto insurance and provides funds for counseling for mental health services. Approximately 65 core volunteers assist families in need each week.
Owner of Raymond Chevrolet, Mark Scarpelli, has been involved with Open Arms Mission since its inception. Scarpelli acknowledges that the need continues to grow as he recalls seeing lines wrapped around the Open Arms Mission building.
“Car dealers get it,” said Scarpelli. “They are at the heart of their communities, and they want to give back.”
Scarpelli was instrumental in establishing the Chicagoland Dealers Care program in 2008 during his time serving on the CATA Board of Directors. In addition to supporting the Open Arms Mission, Scarpelli’s dealership has been donating vehicles to families in need. Scarpelli says, “We don’t turn a blind eye to that ever.”
Court Appointed Special Advocate
A $1,500 donation was made to Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of River Valley, a nonprofit organization that Ron Tirapelli Ford has long supported. CASA of River Valley’s mission is to draw from community resources to provide and support advocates, whose goal is to reduce the physical, emotional, intellectual and social impacts of abuse and neglect experienced by children involved in the Will and Grundy County Judicial Systems, due to no fault of their own. CASA of River Valley advocates for more than 400 children annually by recruiting and training volunteers to act as the voice of the child, providing needed information to the court and working toward a more restorative juvenile court process. It costs $1,000 per year, per child, with the need continuing to grow as it is estimated that 150 children go underserved each year.
“These donations are directly helping child victims in the community,” said Rita Facchina, CASA of River Valley executive director. “They are suffering from trauma that they shouldn’t have to endure as a child, nor did they do anything to deserve it.”
The support from Ron Tirapelli Ford to CASA of River Valley stems from Tom Conlin, the dealership’s principal and general manager. Conlin’s neighbor fosters children that have been a part of the CASA organization, allowing him to see firsthand the devastation the children go through and the needs they have.
The entire Ron Tirapelli Ford dealership rallies behind the cause, as the dealership offers payroll deductions pretax for employee charitable contributions and is matched by the dealership. Additionally, a $50 donation is made for every car sold, and 2% of every service appointment goes toward charitable giving.
For more details on the Chicagoland Dealers Care program, please visit www.ChicagolandDealersCare.com.
