Some of the latest philanthropic activities by dealerships include recent endeavors by Premier Subaru, Vaughan Automotive and Mike Calvert Toyota.

Beginning in Branford, Conn., Premier Subaru president Robert Alvine presented a check for $45,850 to Shawn Heffernan, who is chief executive officer of Camp Rising Sun, which was designed to provide a safe, nurturing environment to children ages 5 through 17 who have been diagnosed with cancer.

The dealership highlighted through a news release that the donation represented the proceeds from the annual “Share the Love” event, in which anyone who purchased or leased a new Subaru could chose a $250 donation to one of four national charities — ASPCA, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Meals on Wheels Association of America, the National Park Foundation — or a fifth local charity for their customers to support.

Premier Subaru selected Camp Rising Sun as its “hometown charity” for the 2021-2022 Share the Love Campaign for the sixth year in a row.

Premier Subaru also matched dollars from Subaru of America directly to provide additional impact to Camp Rising Sun.

“Our customers have the choice of five different amazing charities, and, nearly every single one chose Camp Rising Sun,” Alvine said in the news release. “We are honored to continue to be a partner in supporting such a deserving organization.”

Camp Rising Sun Camp Week takes places at Camp Jewell YMCA in Colebrook, Conn. Camp Rising Sun has been active since 1983 and has grown to more than 100 campers each year.

The funds provided by Premier Subaru will support more than 40 campers this year.

Over the last 14 years, through the Share the Love Event, Subaru of America and its participating retailers have donated more than $227 million to charity, with customers choosing between four national charities and more than 1,440 hometown charities.

Premier Subaru has donated more than $380,000 to Camp Rising Sun during the past six years, supporting more than 250 campers.

Dealer effort in Houston

This week, Vaughan Automotive and Mike Calvert Toyota announced their partnership with United For Human Dignity (UFHD), pledging $8,000 to support survivors of human trafficking from the greater Houston area.

“As an organization, we could not be more honored to partner with United For Human Dignity,” Shawn Vaughan, dealer principal, executive manager & chief executive officer at Vaughan Automotive, said in another news release.

“We have made a dedicated effort to seek out organizations that are making an influential impact in our communities and supporting them in any way that we can,” Vaughan continued.

United For Human Dignity aims to help survivors of sex trafficking in overcoming their lived experience through education, employment and emotional support. UFHD provides career coaching for survivors who would like to pursue a college degree or vocational training and connects them with resources and programs that assist with tuition and basic living needs.

For ongoing support, survivors have access to mentors, study groups, support groups, interview preparation and financial management classes.

With economic empowerment at the heart of helping survivors, the donation from Vaughan Automotive and Mike Calvert Toyota will be used to support the organization’s scholarships, the costs associated with basic living needs, and their “Healing through the Arts” program, designed to give survivors a chance to benefit from the use of art, dance, yoga and other trauma-sensitive therapeutic activities that can help them move toward a place of healing.

“Our organization was founded on the premise of contributing to the fight against sex trafficking by empowering survivors and helping them to reach their full potential,” said Sharon Windham, founder of United For Human Dignity. “We would not be able to have the impact that we have achieved without our partnerships with companies who believe in the work we are doing, and we are honored to have Mike Calvert Toyota and Vaughan Automotive’s support and look forward to creating a long-lasting partnership.”