Good deeds and kind acts were in the spotlight on the Live Stage as the third edition of the NADA Show Pitch Competition continued on Saturday, Feb. 3, with six auto dealers sharing how they gave back to their communities in 2023.

The stories were inspiring and heart-touching. From giving away cars to single mothers to creating special baseball fields for special-needs children and adults, all six auto dealer competitors were the perfect illustration of how philanthropy at the dealership helps a wide variety of charities and causes every day.

The esteemed panel of judges included Wes Lutz, NADA director and president of Extreme Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep, RAM Inc. in Jackson, Mich.; Anita Castriota, managing partner at Castriota Chevrolet Inc. in Hudson, Fla.; and Scott Dube, NADA director and president of Bill Dube Hyundai in Wilmington, Mass.

“It was the most difficult one to judge,” Castriota said.

The NADA Show Philanthropy Pitch Competition participants were:

• Andrea Foote, Marketing Director, Anderson Auto Group, Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
• Katie Gugliotta, General Manager, Plaza Ford, Bel Air, Md.
• Richard Herod III, VP/Managing Partner, White Bear Mitsubishi, Vadnais Heights, Minn.
• Tami Olsen, Recruiting and Foundation Director, Young Caring for Our Young Foundation, Subaru, Layton, Utah
• Meghan Moses, General Manager and Shareholder, Moses Auto Group, St. Albans, W.Va.
• Mark Rask, Marketing Manager, Kelley Buick GMC, Bartow, Fla.

Young Subaru, White Bear Mitsubishi, and Kelley Buick were selected as the three finalists and will be sharing more about their philanthropic efforts during a special session at 11:30am on the Live Stage, Sunday, Feb. 4.

The winner of the shiny glass trophy and a $5,000 donation to their favorite charity was… Kelley Buick GMC of Bartow, Fla.

Mark Rask, Marketing Manager at Kelley Buick GMC, gave the winning pitch about the dealership’s annual 20 Buck Truck Contest, which supports youth in agriculture. Kelley Buick GMC donates the truck and people buy tickets for a chance to win the truck. Since starting the program eight years ago, Rask said the dealership has raised more than $1 million.

“Everything starts with the kids,” Rask said.

Watch the livestream from the Live Stage all week at NADA Show 2024. And be sure to tune in tomorrow, February 5 at 11:30 to hear more from these three outstanding community dealerships.