Chicago Automobile Trade Association Donates $1,500 to DuPage Pads
MEDIA INFORMATION
Contact: Mark Bilek
Senior Director of Communications and Technology
Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Office: (630) 424-6082
Cell: (847) 652-0632
Email: mbilek@drivechicago.com
Contact: Jennifer Morand
Director of Public Relations and Social Media
Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Office: (630) 424-6084
Cell: (630) 391-1986
Email: jmorand@drivechicago.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chicago Automobile Trade Association Donates $1,500 to DuPage Pads
CHICAGO (July 10, 2018) - The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), the area's new-car dealer association, donated $1,500 to DuPagePads through its Chicagoland Dealers Care program. CATA dealer member Continental Acura of Naperville recently contributed $25,000 to the charity.
The CATA created the Chicagoland Dealers Care program in 2008 to build upon the charitable efforts of CATA's dealer members within their communities. Continental Acura of Naperville has been a supporter of DuPagePads for nearly a decade and dealer principal Joel Weinberger is personally involved with the charity, having recently completed a six-year term on their board, as well as spearheading an annual fundraising event called the "Drive for 95."
"Local dealers are where organizations and people turn when they need assistance, because they know they're the pillar of their communities," said Tony Guido, CATA chairman. "As chairman of the Chicago Automobile Trade Association, I'm fortunate to witness all of the goodwill put forth by dealer owners and employees."
DuPagePads strives to end homelessness within the community, starting with housing. Beyond providing shelter and food, the charity also offers support services to help individuals work toward becoming self-sufficient including case management, life coaching and employment support.
Weinberger turned his passion for cars into the "Drive for 95 fundraiser," a four-hour karting event held at the Autobahn Country Club in Joliet where 15 teams compete to raise funds for the charity. The goal of the event was to raise $95,000, but this year's event - now in its eighth year - generated $127,000 for DuPagePads, totaling more than $800,000 since its inception.
"The 'Drive for 95' fundraiser began as 'Drive for 25' with the goal of raising $25,000; we have to keep raising the bar over the years!" said DuPagePads Vice President of Development Janelle Barcelona. "We're very fortunate to have someone like Joel [Weinberger] on our board and to have the ongoing support of his dealerships."
"It's a good feeling to know you're helping people right within your community," said Weinberger.
The CATA has been a longtime supporter of local non-profit organizations. Since its inception in 2008, the Chicagoland Dealers Care program has donated more than $100,000 to local charitable organizations supported by new-car dealers. Additionally, since 1992, the association has raised $50 million for significant Chicago-area charities during the annual First Look for Charity black-tie event, held the evening before the Chicago Auto Show opens to the public.
For more details on the Chicagoland Dealers Care program, please visit www.ChicagolandDealersCare.com. For more information on DuPagePads, visit https://dupagepads.org.
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About The Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Founded in 1904 and located in Oakbrook Terrace, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association is comprised of more than 400 franchised new-car dealers and an additional 150 allied members. The group's dealer members employ about 19,000 people in the metropolitan area. The association has produced the world famous Chicago Auto Show since 1935. For more information please visit CATA.info.
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