FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Subaru’s Share the Love Campaign brought in nearly 26-thousand dollars for charity.
Lithia Subaru handed over a check for $25,978 on Tuesday to the Down Syndrome Association of Central California.
The donation comes from the campaign which took place in December of 2016. For every new car sold or leased, Subaru donates $250 to pre-selected charities.
Executive Director Jennifer Whiting says some of the money will send two staff members with Down Syndrome and seven adults from their Advocate Committee to a national Down Syndrome conference, this summer, to learn how to become better advocates.
“We are blown away by the generosity of Lithia Subaru.” exclaims DSACC Executive Director, Jennifer Whiting.”As a local independent community benefit organization, we work hard to raise funds for the educational, support and social programs we offer to our members and the community. We are not part of a larger organization, so every dollar is vital and stays here in the Central Valley. A donation of this size means we can do that much to enhance the quality of life for all people whose lives are touched by Down syndrome.”
At the check presentation were Lithia Subaru staff, DSACC staff and family members, including Stephen Zimmerman a young man with Down syndrome and employee of the organization. “It is awesome that Lithia gave us this money” says Zimmerman.
Whiting says the remainder of the donation will help support existing education, support and social programs across DSACC’s service area which covers Merced, Mariposa, Madera, Fresno, Kings & Tulare Counties.
To donate to the Down Syndrome Association of Central California, or learn more about Down syndrome, visit www.dsacc.org or contact them by phone at 559-228-0411.
Click below to listen to the story by KMJ’s Liz Kern
