Although competitive when it comes to business, dealers are also very much involved with giving back to their communities. A good example is the annual Motor Dealers of Alberta (MDA) Charity Classic. This year, the 29th running of the annual event saw $215,013 raised in support of Special Olympics Alberta, pushing the event’s cumulative total to almost $5.5 million.
“I am so proud to be part of an industry that has had such a positive impact on the lives of so many. Providing Special Olympians the opportunity to dream, to achieve, to learn and to thrive is extremely rewarding,” said the event’s chair, Garrett Scott of Scott Subaru in Red Deer. SOA offers sports programs in communities across the province for over 3000 Albertans with an intellectual disability.
“Special Olympics Alberta is grateful to be the charity of choice for the Motor Dealers of Alberta,” said Karen Saunders chair of the SOA in an address to participants. “It is the extraordinary dedication and leadership of the committee, along with [its supporters] who help make a solid impact for athletes all across the province to let their spirit shine through sports.”
Saunders explained that Special Olympics offers her daughter an experience described by the theme from the TV show Cheers: “Where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came. You wanna be where you can see, our troubles are all the same … ”
The MDA Charity Classic is the culmination of months of planning and hundreds of volunteer hours by association members and staff. The MDA Charity Classic encompassed two events: a gala dinner and auction, held at the Sheraton Hotel Red Deer on September 15th, and a golf tournament at the Red Deer Golf and Country Club the following day. “We’ve been blessed with success because of the dedication of our members and the generosity of our guests and sponsors,” remarked MDA president Denis Ducharme.
