CONTRIBUTED CONTENT
SPECIAL OLYMPICS BC SNAPSHOT
Generous Donors Powered Successful 2020 New Car Dealers Foundation / Special Olympics BC Auction 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 sponsorship 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. The need to support Special Olympics BC is stronger than ever. Many Special Olympics athletes with intellectual disabilities knew the pain of exclusion long before the pandemic, and many lost their main source of social connection when Special Olympics BC programs had to pause. “It’s been really difficult,” says Misty Pagliaro, an active and award-winning SOBC Kimberley/Cranbrook coach. “I just absolutely love being around the athletes and they love being around each other. Having that taken away…it’s been really hard.” Today, Special Olympics BC is working to safely reopen the year-round sport programs where athletes gain essential friendships and pride in their skills through the joy of sport. Special Olympics BC is a community, a family and a source of emotional stability for more than 5,200 athletes across the province. The athletes and coaches who are safely returning to in-person Special Olympics programs are thrilled to be back. “It feels great to be back on the course,” Pagliaro said. “To help the athletes succeed in their goals is the most special feeling ever.”
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Signals Magazine October–December 2020
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
The auction is essential to helping renew these important programs. 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 the BC Honda dealers. We were also extremely grateful to Corus Entertainment Inc. / Global BC donating a $10,000 advertising package, First Canadian Insurance for making a $20,000 cash pledge and The Province and Vancouver Sun for providing promotional space to help spread the word about this vital event. Through more than three decades, this inspiring auction has raised over $5.2 million to support Special Olympics BC’s life-changing, year-round sports programs for people with intellectual disabilities, plus 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.
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 at chadley@specialolympics.bc.ca 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 Continued on next page
