Del Grande Dealer Group has partnered with Hyundai Hope On Wheels, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids fight cancer, to present its annual research and programmatic grants to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital in Palo Alto, Calif.

DGDG, which bills itself as Northern California’s largest family-owned automotive group, operates 19 dealerships in the region with more than 1,000 employees.

Dr. Tanja Gruber was awarded the $400,000 Hope Scholar Grant and Dr. Crystal Wang was awarded the $250,000 Young Investigator Grant.

Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital received two of the 88 grants presented to institutions throughout the U.S. that are focused on improving outcomes and treatments for children diagnosed with cancer.

Hyundai Hope On Wheels, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, contributed a total of $25 million to fund pediatric cancer research grants and survivorship efforts.

“Our commitment to the fight against pediatric cancer is not about selling cars or promoting our business,” Del Grande Dealer Group CEO Jeremy Beaver said. “It is truly who we are and what we do to try to make the world a better place.

“Working together with all local Hyundai dealers, Hyundai Motor of America and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, we can achieve our goal of reaching a day without pediatric cancer.”

To date, Hyundai Hope On Wheels has contributed $225 million to fight pediatric cancer, supporting nearly 1,300 cancer research studies at more than 175 medical institutions.

In addition to national efforts, DGDG said, the group supports its local communities through its charitable arm, DGDG Does Good.

Wheeler acquires Utah dealership

Casey Wheeler has acquired the Crump Reese Motor Company in Tremonton, Utah from Ron Crump and Coby Reese, according to Performance Brokerage Services, which advised the sellers in the transaction.

The family-owned and operated Chevrolet-GMC dealership, located 70 miles north of Salt Lake City, was founded in 1961 by friends Glen Crump and Lester Wheatley, and more recently was owned by Glen Crump’s son Ron and business partnee Reese.

Performance Brokerage Services said Wheeler bought into his first dealership as part of the John Adams Auto Group and has since created his own dealership group, which operates three dealerships in Idaho and continues to expand.

Crump Reese Motor Company will remain at its current location and will be renamed Crump Reese Chevrolet GMC.