CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Philanthropy has always been a cornerstone of Stephen Wade’s business operation. Stephen Wade Auto Center is known for its long history of charitable giving in Southern Utah, with a particular focus on initiatives and organizations that benefit the community’s youth.
During the recent holiday season, Southern Utah’s auto mall invited customers to join them in the Spirit of Giving to support four local charities making a difference in the lives of homeless and at-risk students. Stephen Wade Auto Center pledged to donate a portion of the profits from every vehicle sold during the entire month of December, which amounted to $4,800 for each organization.
“This was our second year doing the Spirit of Giving, and we raised a pretty good chunk of change,” public relations director Jamie Bahlmann said. “We look forward to working with our nonprofit partners to continue making positive changes in Southern Utah.”
Last week, Stephen Wade Auto Center delivered checks to Switchpoint, Youth Futures, the Washington County School District Foundation and the Washington County Children’s Justice Center.
Switchpoint addresses poverty by creating a comprehensive plan to support families on their journey to self-sufficiency. The organization operates an emergency shelter, food pantry, soup kitchen and the Stepping Stones 24/7 child care facility in St. George, along with providing referrals for affordable housing and other services.
“With the generosity of our community and the efforts of the Stephen Wade family of dealerships, we can use this donation to maintain our low tuition rates at our early child education and care center when others are rising,” said Spencer Holmes, chief strategic officer for Friends of Switchpoint Inc. “We can also now offer families affordable, freshly prepared take-home meals and on-the-go healthy lunches for parents who may be in a rush to get to work. The support Switchpoint and Stepping Stones has received is amazing.”
Acting as a safe haven in times of crisis, Youth Futures offers shelter, guidance and resources to at-risk youth ages 12-18. Drop-in services allow kids to access food, clothing, hygiene items, laundry facilities, computer stations and case management on a daily basis.
The Washington County School District Foundation funds numerous initiatives to enhance the quality of education for area students. Available in every school, the Counselor’s Closet program collects items that at-risk youth may be lacking at home and provides these resources to the counselors to distribute as needed.
After experiencing abuse or other crimes, the Washington County Children’s Justice Center offers a warm, welcoming place where kids and families can begin their healing journey. A multidisciplinary team provides interviews, victim advocacy, medical care and trauma-focused mental health care.
“We’re putting this donation straight into our capital campaign fund,” director Kristy Pike said. “April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and we’re breaking ground on an expansion that will more than double our square footage and enable us to better provide services for kids and families.”
Stephen Wade Auto Center also collected essential items for families in need through their seventh annual Wish Trees fundraising drive in November and December. Donated products were distributed just in time for Christmas to these four organizations, all of which rely on the community’s support to keep their shelves stocked with sleeping bags, jackets, gloves, socks, snacks, cleaning supplies, hygiene products and more.
The Stephen Wade family of dealerships is always working to build stronger kids, families and neighborhoods. Supported by generations of loyal customers, they’ve been giving back to the community for nearly 30 years and don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.
“We couldn’t do this without your help,” Bahlmann said. “Let’s all keep investing in Southern Utah.”
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Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.
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Resources
- Stephen Wade Auto Center | Address: 150 Auto Mall Drive, St. George | Telephone: 435-222-7605 | Website.
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