5 days ago
Jenkins Subaru presents check to United Way of Harrison and Doddridge Counties
BRIDGEPORT, (WBOY) — For the 11th year in a row, Jenkins Subaru has partnered with Subaru of America to make a big donation to the United Way of Harrison and Doddridge Counties.
The donation was part of Subaru's annual 'Share the Love' event, and according to General Manager Matt Jenkins, the car dealership picks a non-profit in the local community to give the proceeds from this event to, and they always choose the United Way of Harrison and Doddridge Counties.
'We've always chosen United Way of Harrison and Doddridge Counties just because they have such an effect, you know,' said Jenkins. 'They have so many different agencies that come in for needs and it's hard for us to know exactly where that need is.'
Jenkins said that the United Way of Harrison and Doddridge Counties vets all of the organizations that come to them for assistance, and they determine how many dollars should be allocated to each organization as the years go on.
'It's really nice to know that the money going in the community goes exactly where it needs to go, by the professionals who actually know where the need needs to be fulfilled at,' he added.
Once the Share the Love program kicks off each year, Jenkins Subaru will give up to $500 per car when a customer buys a new Subaru. The dealership offers five to six different agencies for customers to choose from for the funds to go to, and Jenkins added that Subaru of America matches some of the money as well.
'We always obviously push them to our local United Way because we want the money to stay here local,' Jenkins told 12 News. 'To help our youth, people on Meals on Wheels, just really any type of need that needs to be fulfilled.'
This year, Jenkins Subaru was able to present the United Way of Harrison and Doddridge Counties with a check worth $71,973. An event was held on Wednesday afternoon, where representatives from the car dealership and the Jenkins family presented this check to the organization.
'This is a tremendous day. Great appreciation to Jenkins Subaru for providing this, these funds today,' said United Way of Harrison and Doddridge Counties Executive Director Martin Howe. 'These funds will be utilized for the other non-profits, the partner agencies that we do support for Harrison and Doddridge County.'
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According to Howe, the money received will help partner agencies that promote education and health, as well as address homelessness and other worthwhile causes.
Jenkins told 12 News that although a lot of local people may feel that their community doesn't have any needs, these needs still exist even if you don't see them. 'There is real need. I mean there's different areas that you see it more than others, but it doesn't matter where it's at, people need help,' he said.
As a result of this need, Jenkins stated that it was important to him and his family to partner with Subaru of America for this initiative that's carried on in communities across the country.
With every passing year, Jenkins stated that the community's needs can look different. 'It's not a one-size-fits-all strategy. With [United Way of Harrison and Doddridge Counties], it's nice to know that we can give them the money and it's gonna be deployed the way it needs to be year by year, case by case,' Jenkins added. 'So that's why we chose them and we continue to every year.'
Jenkins stated that if anybody in the community wants to help support this initiative in the coming years, it's important to just do the right thing. 'It's not all about the money, it's knowing that the money we're putting in the community is actually getting to the community,' he added. 'Everybody has a budget, everybody has needs, everybody has the ability to give back in one way, shape or form.'
According to Howe, it would be very difficult for the United Way of Harrison and Doddridge Counties to even come close to their goal without this annual assistance from Jenkins Subaru. 'It tremendously assists us as a non-profit, and we look forward to keeping partnerships going in the future for many different reasons–they're a great family, great company, great business, and they're just a great community partner,' he stated.
Howe added that the United Way of Harrison and Doddridge Counties is always accepting donations, including people's services and volunteerism. 'To be able to get out and help the community members where they feel necessary' is a big part of the organization's mission, he added.
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