FREDERICK, Md. -

Chosen in part because of its support of local police and fire departments, veterans, citywide events and municipal projects, ADESA Boston was named the National Auto Auction Association’s 2019 Eastern Chapter Auto Auction of the Year for its exceptional community service.

In an earlier announcement, NAAA named Louisiana’s 1st Choice Auto Auction as the winner of its Southern Chapter Auto Auction of the Year and Columbus Fair Auto Auction as the winner for the Midwest Chapter.

Those auctions will be three of four finalists representing NAAA’s Eastern, Midwest, Southern and Western chapters competing for NAAA’s top honor of “Auto Auction of the Year Award for Excellence in Community Service.”

Those contenders will receive recognition with a crystal trophy at the association’s October annual convention. They will also be highlighted in NAAA’s member publications and will receive $5,000 payable to a charity of the auction’s choice.

To recognize the many charitable acts auctions already perform and to encourage additional volunteer involvement, NAAA established the annual awards in 2016.

The winner of the “Auto Auction of the Year Award for Excellence in Community Service” will receive a large crystal loving cup. That auction will also be featured on the covers of NAAA’s On The Block magazine and annual membership directory and will be featured in an article in both publications.

In addition to the previous $5,000 prize as a chapter finalist, the winner receives $20,000 payable to the auction’s chosen charity.

ADESA Boston has performed various acts of community service to earn consideration for the honors. The auction began a partnership with the Framingham Police Department in 1994, raising funds to establish the Police Athletic League for youth.

The auction is still the primary sponsor of many of the league’s programs that provide a safe alternative to the streets for hundreds of children and young adults, giving them a place to play sports and learn valuable life lessons.

The auction has also helped the police build a tactical SWAT vehicle. Additional activities include providing facilities for training the K9 and tactical operations teams, offering advice on fleet management practices, and overseeing efforts in creating a 9/11 memorial.

Last year, ADESA Boston helped police raise more than $10,000 for Home Base. That Red Sox and Massachusetts General Hospital program operates a large private-sector clinic to help provide trauma care and wellness for veterans and their families.

The auction also helped raise funds for the Framingham Fire Department. That money went toward the purchase of special gloves, LED flashlights and other safety equipment. Also, the auction has donated vehicles for extrication training. Firefighters also use the auction’s large facility for practicing hands-on firefighting techniques.

In addition, ADESA Boston supports the community's Flag Day Parade, Concerts on the Green, and Framingham Housing Authority’s National Night Out. The auction has also helped develop a new city park.

The auction’s Classic Car Show and 30-mile motorcycle run has collected more than $1 million since 2002, and 100% of those proceeds went to several children’s charities.