Fellow Dealers and ATAEs,
Year after year, you literally change lives and help make your own communities vibrant. Of course, I do not need to remind you of the important role you play in your communities, from leading local chambers of commerce to making big, impactful charitable contributions. And, of course, you always step up when there is a crisis.
The truth is, you are part of an even bigger family; America’s entire franchised dealer network.
And today, many of those family members – some very far away from you – are hurting and could really use your continued help.
Hurricanes Helene and Milton have devastated dozens and dozens of communities across the southeast. The stories I have heard and reports I have seen break my heart. We still don’t yet know the full extent of the damage, and we do not know the full number of dealership family members that have been directly impacted. But we know that there are many.
The NADA Foundation Emergency Relief Fund has been activated to provide immediate relief to the communities in the hurricanes’ wake. Funded by dealers, NADA and industry partners, the Emergency Relief Fund provides financial assistance to dealership employees affected by natural disasters like the hurricanes we have witnessed the past few weeks.
We need more donations. And we need them from across the country. Emergency Relief Funds are going exactly where they should, but we need to keep the fund healthy. And not just to support dealer employees who need our help today, but to be prepared to act quickly when the next disaster strikes.
I’ve seen and heard many stories from dealerships and dealer associations doing their part to help people they’ve never met.
Employees of Dick Myers Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Harrisonburg, Va. collected a community’s worth of donations and supplies and drove a box truck, cargo van and two trailers over the border to Roan Mountain, Tn., a small community in the Blue Ridge Mountains flooded by the hurricane.
Representatives from Williams Chevrolet Honda Kia drove vehicles full of donated toiletries, cleaning supplies, formula, and diapers all the way from Traverse City, Mich. down to the communities affected by Helene.
Jim Ellis Toyota, located in McDonough, Ga., blasted an invitation to hurricane evacuees across its social media channel. The dealership, located off I-75 between Atlanta and the Florida state line, offered shelter, coffee and water for those fleeing Hurricane Milton last week.
Nothing about this reaction surprises me. Franchised dealerships will always step up to support each other, our employees and our neighbors.
But our family is everywhere. No matter where you are, please consider making a donation to the NADA Foundation Emergency Relief Fund if you haven’t already. You can make a big difference. And I know you will.
Many thanks,
Gary Gilchrist
2024 NADA Chairman
