This has been a challenging time for many, but New Car Dealers and supporters still stepped up to make a difference through the 2020 New Car Dealers Foundation / Special Olympics BC Auction. Running from September 18 to 24, this impactful event raised more than $171,000 in silent auction items, cash donations, and sponsorships to support the life-changing work of Special Olympics BC and the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC.
The auction was originally set to launch in spring, but it had to be postponed because of COVID-19. Even though many of their businesses have been affected by the pandemic, New Car Dealers and supporters remained committed to helping Special Olympics BC athletes. As fall approached and the province began to open back up, Dealers and supporters said the time was right to relaunch the 2020 auction.
Special Olympics BC Board of Directors member Pamela Keith serves on the auction’s organizing committee. Prior to the event, she explained how the 2020 auction would be particularity important, since many SOBC fundraisers have had to be cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19.
“This is something that we can do online and generate interest. It’s fun for people who participate, and it will bring us the funds we all need to keep us going,” Keith said on SOBC’s What’s On Your Mind Wednesday.
New Car Dealers and supporters came through in a big way, donating more than 250 exciting auction items, as well as making cash pledges, soliciting donations, and/or bidding on items. This year’s headline prize was a 2020 Honda Civic DX Sedan, generously provided by BC Honda Dealers. We were also extremely grateful to Corus Entertainment Inc. / Global BC for donating a $10,000 advertising package, First Canadian Insurance for their extremely generous cash donation, and The Province and Vancouver Sun who provided promotional space to help spread the word about this vital event.
Many donors and supporters also promoted the auction on social media and through other platforms. SOBC Board of Directors member and Money Talks host Michael Campbell discussed the importance of the auction and recognized many donors on his show. Money Talks also posted about the event on social media and shared details with its large list of email subscribers.
Through more than three decades, this inspiring auction has raised over $5.2 million to support Special Olympics BC’s life-changing year-round sport programs for people with intellectual disabilities, and the empowering work of the New Car Dealers Foundation.
We are extremely grateful for the ongoing support of the New Car Dealers who make the auction happen and who bid for the betterment of the charities.
Heartfelt thanks to the dedicated members of the auction organizing committee. Every year they give countless hours of thoughtful and compassionate work in order to make this event a success. Thanks to:
- Manse Binkley, Harmony Honda and Harmony Acura
- Marnie Carter, Carter Auto Family
- John Chesman
- Heather Headley, Pacific Honda
- David Jukes, First Canadian Insurance
- Pamela Keith, Dueck Auto Group
- Joe Mitchell, Carter Auto Family
- Blair Qualey, New Car Dealers Association
Special Olympics BC and the New Car Dealers Foundation extend sincere thanks to everyone who supported the 2020 auction and look forward to another exciting event in 2021. To get involved, please contact Christina Hadley, SOBC Vice President, Fund Development & Communications, by email or by phone at 604-616-1343.
Thank you!
Special thanks to the following Dealers for making a cash pledge and/or providing an auction item:
- Auto West Group
- Bannister Ford
- Bannister GM Vernon
- Bannister Honda
- Bannister Kelowna
- BC Honda Dealers
- Brian Jessel BMW
- Brian McLean Chevrolet Buick GMC
- Browns’ Chevrolet Buick GMC Ltd
- Capilano Audi
- Capilano Volkswagen
- Campus Auto Group
- Carter Auto Family
- Champion Chevrolet
- Chilliwack Kia
- Dueck Downtown
- Dueck on Marine
- Dueck Richmond
- Freeway Mazda
- Harmony Acura
- Harmony Honda
- Harris Auto Group
- Huber Bannister Chevrolet
- Jenner Chevrolet Buick GMC
- Jim Pattison Chrysler Jeep Dodge
- Jim Pattison Hyundai
- Jim Pattison Lexus
- Jim Pattison Subaru
- Jim Pattison Toyota
- Jim Pattison Volkswagen
- Jim Pattison Volvo
- Laird Wheaton Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac
- MacCarthy GM (Terrace) Ltd.
- Mazda Canada
- Mertin GM
- Mertin Hyundai
- Mertin Nissan
- Metrotown Mazda
- Salmon Arm GM
- Smith Chevrolet Cadillac Ltd
- Tyee Chevrolet Buick GMC Ltd.
- West Coast Auto Group
- Wheaton Chevrolet Buick Cadillac GMC
Special thanks also to the following companies for making a cash pledge and/or providing an auction item:
- 100.3 The Q
- 102.3 The Wave
- 106.9 FM The Wolf
- 4Less Disposal
- 88.5 The Beach
- 93.3 The PEAK
- 97.3 The Eagle
- ADESA Vancouver
- Alaska Highway News
- Alfa Greco-Roman Cuisine
- Aqua Hot Wash Ltd.
- At Your Table with Kate Rice
- AutoTrader.ca
- Baker Tilly WM LLP
- Bay Nails
- Bell Media - BC Interior
- Bell Media - CJDC TV
- Big White Ski Resort
- Black Press
- Bo Browne of Sebastian 1 Salon
- Boyd Autobody & Glass
- Bradley Smoker
- Brite Choice Distributors Ltd.
- Canadian Healthy Vending
- Canuck Towing & Services
- Canucks Sports and Entertainment
- CapriCMW Insurance Services Ltd
- CARFAX Canada
- Castanet Media
- CDK Global
- Comox Valley Record
- CONNECT Okanagan Telephone
- Corus Entertainment Inc.
- Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community
- Delta Optimist
- Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa
- Denise Yuen
- Dentique Paintless Dent Repair
- Downtown Marina Kelowna
- Ducan
- Eco Clean Dry Cleaning Centres
- Enterprise Holdings
- Equitable Life of Canada
- Everything Wine
- Express AutoSpa
- Fairview Mountain Golf Club
- FASTSIGNS
- Finns Kerrisdale Ladies
- First Canadian Insurance
- Flowers Beautiful
- Flying Colours Auto Painting Ltd.
- Gallagher’s Canyon Golf & Country Club
- Global BC
- Green Coast Rubbish Inc.
- Harbour Cruises Ltd.
- Hardcore Archery Center
- Hester Creek Estate Winery
- HUB International Insurance Brokers
- Illuminaté Restorante
- ITS Building Maintenance Inc.
- Kelowna Actors Studio
- Kelowna Glass
- Kelowna Golf & Country Club
- Kelowna Rockets Hockey Club
- Kelowna Springs Golf Club
- Lordco Auto Parts
- Maaco Auto Painting & Collision Repair
- Mario’s Kitchen
- Marnie Carter
- Mervyn’s The Body Shop
- Michael Mason & Co Ltd.
- Michaelbrook Golf Club
- Microsoft
- National Post
- National Tire Distributors
- NationWide Self Storage & Auto Wash
- New Creations
- New Moves Pilates
- North Shore News
- Okanagan Computer Products
- Osoyoos Golf Club
- Pacific Gateway Hotel at Vancouver Airport
- Pacific Honda
- Park’N Fly Vancouver
- PHD Canada
- Precision Carriers Ltd.
- Prema South Central BC
- Prestige Hotels & Resorts
- ProSmart Auto Care
- Proven Path Office and Home Organizing
- Rapid Printing
- Richmond Auto Mall Association
- SAL Dealer Services - Industrial Alliance
- Sawchuk Developments Co. Ltd.
- SAXX Underwear Co.
- Shadow Shield
- Shannon Lake Golf Club
- Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel
- SHK Law Corporation
- Slik-Stick Inc.
- Snap-on Tools
- SOBC – Coquitlam
- Sobeys
- Southern Insurance
- Spirit Ridge Lake Resort, Winery and Sacred Land
- Staples Business Advantage
- Summerhill Pyramid Winery
- Sun Peaks Grand Hotel & Conference Centre and Sun Peaks Resort
- Sunset Ranch Golf and Country Club
- The Daily Courier
- The Harvest Golf Club
- The Lounge 99.9
- The Okanagan Golf Club
- The Province
- The Rise Golf Course
- The Zone 91.3 FM
- Tim Hortons
- Timberland
- Times Colonist
- TireLink
- Tom Harris Community Foundation
- Top Grade Tire Recycling Inc.
- Total Prepare Emergency Preparedness Solutions
- TouchUp RX
- Tower Ranch Golf Club
- Turtle Bay Marina Resort and Boat Rental
- UniFirst Canada Ltd.
- Van Houtte Coffee Services
- Vancouver Airport Marriott Hotel
- Vancouver Island University
- Vancouver Sun
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Ventana Construction Corp.
- Vernon Golf & Country Club
- Wheaton Precious Metals
- Whistler Blackcomb
- WMS Designz
- W.P.J. McCarthy and Company Ltd.
- WS Leasing Ltd.