An Alabama dealership took a day this week to show it cares.

On Tuesday, Howard Bentley Buick GMC in Albertville, Ala., joined with United Way of Marshall County in its Day of Caring for the fifth consecutive year. The communitywide initiative connects volunteers and resources with local agencies and schools needing support.

Howard Bentley Buick GMC worked with United Way of Marshall County and Court Appointed Juvenile Advocates of Marshall County, as dealer principal Taylor Bentley Conner and more than 100 dealership employees donated and delivered educational games, school supplies, office supplies and other operational and personal necessities.

“We are delighted to once again join the largest single-day volunteer effort in our tight-knit community, and see the children and families whose lives we can positively impact,” Conner said. “Everyone from our employees to vendors and customers are like family, and that extends to our neighbors who may need it most.

“While this is such an important day, it takes a steady commitment, and we are proud to maintain our dollar-for-dollar match for our employees’ own contributions to the United Way of Marshall County.”

Conner serves as a volunteer on the United Way Campaign Cabinet, joining other area executives and community leaders in setting benchmarks, implementing strategies and monitoring outcomes in their areas of expertise.

United Way of Marshall County has helped enrich community life by addressing critical issues for more than 40 years. Volunteers and donors research the needs of the community and develop strategies to help people who need it most. The organization provides funding for 19 partner agencies and programs.

CAJA of Marshall County is a volunteer organization that advocates for abused and neglected children in the Marshall County court. A court-appointed special advocate volunteer is an everyday citizen appointed by the court to independently investigate the cases of the children and advocate for what is best for each child with the goal of a loving and safe home.

Howard Bentley Buick GMC supports local communities through charitable giving, volunteerism and partnerships with organizations. In 2023, the dealership donated more than $200,000 to more than 100 local schools, community needs, local nonprofits and charities working on the front lines of poverty, education and health.

HGreg Houston rockets to top of group’s stores

Less than nine months after its liftoff, HGreg Houston is soaring into orbit.

The dealership, which opened in late December, has become one of the top performers in HGreg’s portfolio of 35 locations in California, Florida, Texas, Maryland and Quebec, Canada.

The Canada-based dealership group said its Houston store has maintained steady sales and foot traffic, with an average of more than 1,000 visits per month.

HGreg Houston maintains a total inventory of more than 500 vehicles, 400 of which are available for sale on the lot. The inventory is tailored to first-time buyers, customers looking for wholesale pricing with retail quality, and customers on a tight budget.

“Seeing our dealership grow in such an important new market has been extremely gratifying for all of us,” HGreg president and CEO John Hairabedian said. “Our customers appreciate our promise of ‘save more, drive happy,’ and we’re pleased with the performance of the dealership in such a short time span.

“We look forward to growing our team and inventory to meet the strong demand we’re seeing.”

HGreg said the dealership employs a wholesale pricing model, a no-haggle, one-price business approach that it said “ensures a transparent and straightforward purchasing experience.” The dealership prides itself on its customer service, competitive pricing, variety of vehicle options and quality inventory.

“We have received a warm welcome from members of the community, who appreciate our culture and commitment to customer experience,” HGreg chief operating officer Fady Bouras said. “We are planning a grand opening celebration in the near future to thank our customers for their support.”