RICHMOND, Va. -

CarMax today announced that its CarMax Foundation — which is designed to enrich the communities where its associates live and work — has recognized nine employees for the second annual CarMax Cares Community Service Award.

These associates, from all over the country, were nominated for the award for their “personal volunteer efforts and leadership in CarMax community giving," officials explained.

The winners, which run from sales managers to buyers, were then honored at the company’s largest recognition event of the year, officials noted.

Furthermore, each has selected a non-profit organization to receive a $5,000 grant on their behalf from The CarMax Foundation.

Here are the CarMax Cares Community Service Award winners,  the non-profits selected and commentary from CarMax officials:

—Ed Clapper, sales manager, Charleston, S.C.: “Ed has led CarMax teams in countless charity walk and run events, and he has managed store donation drives and other volunteer efforts with organizations like American Cancer Society and Habitat for Humanity. Ed selected the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge to receive the $5,000 grant.”

—Mark Covey, buyer, Kansas City, Mo.: “Mark led CarMax associates from Kansas City, Independence and Wichita, Kan., in efforts to assist the Area Agency on Aging Region X after the tornado in Joplin, Mo. Mark has chosen this organization to receive the $5,000 grant, as well.”

—Danielle Gibson, service adviser, Charlottesville, Va.: “Danielle has coordinated blood drives for her store with great participation rates, as well as toy drives and food drives. She also works closely with Boys & Girls Clubs, and spent a week in Joplin, Mo., helping with tornado clean-up efforts. She has chosen the Central Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross to receive the $5,000 grant.”

—Melissa Golden, sales operations manager, Richmond, Va.: “Melissa has been dedicated to the mission of the Henrico Humane Society for 14 years. She has served as the president and secretary, and has been the fundraising chair for the past 12 years. Henrico Humane Society, which helps place homeless animals, will receive the $5,000 grant on her behalf, which will be used to help cover medical expenses.”

—Vicky Platt, business office associate, East Haven, Conn.: “Vicky received this award for leading her CarMax team in donation drives and volunteer efforts supporting organizations like Make A Wish, Susan G. Komen and the Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital Toy Closet. Vicky selected Friends of Karen, which provides support to children and families dealing with life-threatening illnesses, to receive the $5,000 grant.”

—Eddie Regan, business office manager, Modesto, Calif.: “Since 2008, Eddie has led CarMax teams in reading to children, helping with school events and participating in career days through Stanislaus Partners in Education (SPIE). Eddie is an active board member for SPIE and has also chosen the organization to receive the $5,000 grant.”

—Ryan Russek, buyer, Buena Park, Calif.: “ For nearly ten years, Ryan has made sure that children battling cancer at the City of Hope Cancer Hospital had the best Christmas possible. His efforts grew into a community-wide toy drive called Wish Upon a Toy. He and his family also helped create the Relay for Life of Azusa, which will receive the $5,000 grant.”

—Jon Stephens, sales manager, Fort Worth, Texas: “Jon has managed team volunteer efforts with organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs, Habitat for Humanity, Ronald McDonald House and Tarrant Area Food Bank. Jon chose Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer to receive the $5,000 grant.”

—Esther Tedesco, management assistant, Miami Lakes, Fla.: “Esther has led countless CarMax volunteer projects in Florida and actively volunteers with her church. She has built a strong relationship with organizations like Ronald McDonald House, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Susan G. Komen, Miami Rescue Mission and the YMCA. She chose Autism Speaks to receive the $5,000 grant.”

Highlighting the foundation in greater detail, it has has donated more than $10 million for community enrichment since 2003. Funding programs are made available through a percentage of CarMax’ net income from the prior years.

For more information on The CarMax Foundation, see http://www.carmaxcares.com.