It’s never too early — or is it late? — for Christmas, especially when a good cause is involved.

Huffines Auto Dealerships, which operates 10 locations in North Texas, celebrated “Christmas in July” to benefit Children’s Health, a local pediatric health system. The event concluded this week with a donation of some 600 toys and $100,000 presented during a celebration at Children’s Health Dallas in recognition of Huffines’ 100th year in business.

The campaign included a toy drive at all Huffines dealerships through July 22 to help restock the Children’s Health playrooms in the middle of the year, when the need is the greatest. The toys were delivered to Children’s Health Dallas in a parade led by patient ambassadors Kadence, Amelia and Serenity, along with a Santa-hat-wearing pet therapy dog, in remote-controlled cars pulling wagons filled with blocks, dolls, stuffed animals, coloring books and more.

“For our 100th anniversary, we wanted to invite our communities to come together to bring happiness to kids who are in the hospital this summer,” Huffines president and CEO Ray Huffines said in a news release. “Huffines was founded on the principle of supporting our communities, and I couldn’t think of a better way to honor the Huffines legacy than by giving back to North Texas kids.”

The dealership group’s monetary gift of $100,000 was presented to the Children’s Health Indigent Family Assistance Fund, which provides support to families experiencing financial strain due to unexpected medical travel and displacement while their child is receiving care.

Children’s Medical Center Foundation vice president of development Paulette Mulry applauded Huffines’ initiative “to bring happiness to kids who are in our care at Children’s Health.”

“Seeing the smiles on our patient ambassadors as they delivered the toys was a special moment they will never forget,” she said. “Toys brighten the days of our patients by providing comfort, helping celebrate treatment milestones or making birthdays and holidays during their visit more pleasant. We are grateful for donations like these that help us further our mission to make life better for children.”

Huffines Auto Dealerships was founded in 1924 by J.L. Huffines Sr., in Denton, Texas.

Sonic sells Spokane store to Washington dealer

National dealership group Sonic Automotive has sold one of its locations in Washington state to a Washington dealer.

Xavier Cortes acquired Dave Smith Nissan in Spokane from Sonic, according to Pinnacle Mergers & Acquisitions, which represented the seller in the transaction.

The new addition, which has been renamed Cortes Nissan, gives Cortes four dealerships in the state.

Sonic, based in Charlotte, N.C., operates more than 100 dealerships in 24 states.