CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Philanthropy has been a cornerstone of Stephen Wade’s business operation since the beginning, and he’s known for his long history of charitable contributions. Stephen Wade Auto Center and the Wade Family Foundation have been supporting nonprofit organizations and community events throughout Southern Utah for the past 28 years and don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.
“Look around Southern Utah, and you’ll see our logo all over the place. We sponsor youth sports, high school sports and clubs and Utah Tech athletics, just to name a few,” Stephen Wade Auto Center public relations director Jamie Bahlmann said. “At Stephen Wade, we support our community and nonprofit partners that add to everyone’s quality of life.”
Southern Utah’s future belongs to its children, and Stephen Wade Auto Center is committed to supporting families. The dealership has been a longtime supporter of Switchpoint Community Resource Center, a nonprofit organization working to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness by offering shelter, food and resources to regain independence.
Stephen Wade Auto Center and the Wade Family Foundation recently donated a Mercedes-Benz Metris passenger van to the Stepping Stones 24/7 child care center in downtown St. George, a division of Switchpoint which opened this summer. The van will be used by staff to drive children to and from doctor’s appointments, to and from school, and more.
“Safe transportation for our children and a reliable vehicle for our employees was critical, and we thank the Wade Family Foundation and their staff for making this possible,” said Spencer Holmes, chief strategic officer for Switchpoint. “They’re a valued partner to us and the community we live in.”
As the only 24/7 child care center in Southern Utah, Stepping Stones is designed to help bridge the gap for parents who currently must choose between going to work or looking after their children. The center works with families’ schedules to provide affordable care for up to 270 students in a “home away from home” setting, empowering children to reach their full potential socially, emotionally and intellectually.
“We support our residents in every stage of their lives,” Bahlmann said. “Stephen Wade Auto Center and the Wade family are very grateful for the services that Switchpoint provide to at-risk members of the community, and we hope our involvement will further their work.”
One of the most critical components to quality of life in any community is health and access to health care. Stephen Wade Auto Center proudly supports the Doctors’ Volunteer Clinic, which provides affordable medical services to uninsured, underinsured and low-income patients throughout Southern Utah.
The dealership serves as presenting sponsor of the annual Spirit of Hope Gala, the clinic’s largest fundraising event. The Doctors’ Volunteer Clinic receives no government funding and operates solely on private grants and donations from community partners.
“Access to affordable health care is a critical need,” said DeAnne Staheli, the clinic’s executive director. “Helping these patients is made possible with the support of donors like Stephen Wade Auto Center.”
When the clinic first opened its doors in February 1999, Stephen Wade was there. He continues to be one of its most generous benefactors, having donated approximately $75,000 over the past five years. That funding has helped provide essential services for more than 25,000 patients, Staheli said.
The Doctors’ Volunteer Clinic acts as a safety net of health services that include non-urgent primary and specialty medical care, dental care and mental health care. A team of 35 medical providers and support staff dedicates their time and skills on a volunteer basis, facilitating over 12,000 appointments with roughly 5,000 patients every year.
An active community is a healthy community, and Southern Utah is renowned for its abundance of outdoor recreation. Earlier this month, the 46th annual St. George Marathon welcomed over 7,000 runners from Utah and beyond to test their mettle and push their mental and physical limits.
Hosting large-scale events like the marathon wouldn’t be possible without the support of many individuals and businesses in the community, including Stephen Wade Auto Center. The dealership loaned nine vehicles to the city of St. George to prepare for and set up for the race. They also provided pace cars as well as trucks, SUVs and sedans to transport items needed for volunteers and athletes.
“We’re proud to keep investing in Southern Utah,” Bahlmann said. “We’re always working to build stronger families and communities.”
Learn more about how the Wade family supports Southern Utah at StephenWade.com/community.
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Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.
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- Stephen Wade Auto Center | Address: 150 Auto Mall Drive, St. George | Telephone: 435-222-7605 | Website.
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