Ontario car dealers have history of giving back
Canadian Red Cross is one recipient of TADA support
Throughout its 110-year history, Ontario new-car dealers have a proud history of supporting charitable causes in their local communities.
Individually, dealers provide funding for local schools, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, holiday parades, rotary clubs and local events. Dealer principals often sit on boards of directors at hospitals and charitable foundations, offering financial expertise and strategic advice.
During times of natural disasters, Ontario dealers are often quick to raise money as part of relief efforts. During the Alberta wildfires in 2016, many Ontario dealerships (and their employees) helped to raise funds for the Canadian Red Cross to aid communities affected by the fires.
“Ontario dealers provide financial support, expertise and resources for many local groups and fundraising activities,” says Doug Sullivan, president of the TAD Foundation and past president of the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association (TADA), representing 1,100 registered new car dealers in Ontario. “Dealership employees, too, coach little league sports teams, get involved in local politics, volunteer at food banks, churches and youth groups because they want to make a positive difference in the communities they serve.”
In 2001, in an effort to give dealers a common purpose and a voice in supporting charitable endeavours, the TADA formed the Trillium Auto Dealers Foundation (TADF), to spearhead the philanthropic vision of the TADA. The foundation operates as the charitable arm of the TADA.
The Canadian Red Cross, the Kidney Foundation of Canada, the Hospital for Sick Children, Covenant House and the Ontario Legislature Internship Programme are among the many organizations that have received support from the TADA over the years.
In November 2011, the TADF donated $2 million toward construction costs of the TADA Gift of Life Wing of the new Toronto Ronald McDonald House (RMH). This is the largest RMH in the world and the TADF gift makes it possible to accommodate more Ontario families with seriously ill children awaiting or receiving treatment at neighbouring hospitals.
The TADA also works closely with the Automotive Business School of Canada at Georgian College, Durham College and Centennial College, providing scholarships and awards for students seeking a career in the automotive industry.
In 2013, The TAD Foundation made a $1-million donation to the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hos- pital in Toronto. The Holland Bloorview Concussion Research Centre is the world’s first children’s concussion centre, which focuses on identifying the injury (who is experiencing concussions, how frequently, and why); assessing the injuries (what tools and measures should be used to determine if youth are ready to resume activities and sports); and managing the injury (treatments and rehabilitation).
The TADA’s $1-million gift, combined with the government funding, helped to launch the Concussion Research Centre to provide research and response for appropriate treatments for boys and girls who have suffered a concussion. This gift helped to train therapists and health-care professionals, conduct assessments and deliver information to parents, coaches, kids, doctors and other involved in youth activity.
For the past five years, the TADA has also worked with Prostate Can- cer Canada, raising over $1 million for prostate cancer research to improve the lives of Canadian men, and their families, who will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
This year, the TADA donated a customized 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriole (valued at $176,251.61) for the Rock the Road Raffle in support of Prostate Cancer Canada. The donated Porsche is on display at the 2018 Canadian International AutoShow at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre through Sunday.
Prostate Cancer Canada supports research to uncover better diagnostic and treatment options and to provide comprehensive support services for those living with prostate cancer. PCC is the leading national foundation dedicated to the elimination of the disease through research, education support and awareness.
“The TADA’s support of Prostate Cancer Canada aligns well with our strategic goals in terms of giving back,” says Todd Bourgon, executive director of the TADA. “In supporting PCC, we are helping to shed light on men’s health in general — specifically an area of men’s health that is often ignored and not discussed.”
“The next time you purchase a new or pre-owned vehicle or require repair work at a new car dealership, take a moment to reflect how that business and its employees are giving back and making a positive difference in their local community,” Bourgon adds.