Chicago Automobile Trade Association Donates $1,500 to Open Arms Mission via Chicagoland Dealers Care Program
The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), Chicagoland’s new-car dealer association, recently donated $1,500 to Open Arms Mission. The donation came in conjunction with Raymond Chevrolet of Antioch and the Chicagoland Dealers Care program, an initiative that matches CATA dealer donations of up to $1,500 for local charitable organizations.
Open Arms Mission, now in its 24th year, services Antioch and Lake Villa Townships. The non-profit 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 provide funds for counseling for mental health services. Approximately 65 core volunteers assist families in need each week.
“Thanks to donations like this, we are able to serve those families,” said Marytherese Ambacher, director of Open Arms Mission. “We try and help as much as we can. When a local person comes and asks for something, if we have the funds, we help them.”
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 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.”
The CATA has been a longtime supporter of local nonprofit organizations. Since its inception in 2008, the grassroots Chicagoland Dealers Care program has donated more than $130,000 to local charitable organizations. Additionally, since 1992, the association has raised more than $62 million for Chicago-area charities during the annual First Look for Charity black-tie event, traditionally held the evening before the Chicago Auto Show opens to the public.
“Local car dealers like Raymond Chevrolet are an integral part of their community and are often deeply involved in charitable causes,” said CATA President Jennifer Morand. “We applaud Mark Scarpelli for having the foresight 16 years ago to help stretch CATA dealer members’ dollars further to support local causes, while raising awareness for these incredible organizations.”
For more details on the CATA and the Chicagoland Dealers Care program, please visit www.ChicagolandDealersCare.com. For more information about Open Arms Mission, visit www.openarmsmission.org.
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