Pohanka of Salisbury Raises Over $20,000 for the American Cancer Society

 

Pohanka has delved into the community numerous times to give to those in need. Over an eight year period they have single handedly managed to give over $1,000,000 to local charities and nonprofit organizations. Pohanka’s endeavors have reflected positively upon both their brand and the community. However no attempt has been quite as lucrative as Pohanka’s involvement in the “Real Men Wear Pink” campaign sponsored by the American Cancer Society. This campaign advises both men and women to show their loathing of breast cancer and their support to finding a cure by wearing the color pink. Pohanka of Salisbury amazed many by raising over $10,000 in less than a year back in 2016 and by toping that goal in 2017.

 

Back in 2016 Pohanka of Salisbury Vice President Sandy Fitzgerald-Angello and her fearless team worked together to launch a “Go Fund Me” campaign in which they asked their customers, community members, friends and family to make any donation they could to “Real Men Wear Pink.” George Angello, Sandy Fitzgerald-Angello’s loving husband, was the face of the campaign sporting a large pink bow tie and being prominently featured on every flyer and advertisement encouraging donations. Also, as an added incentive, anyone who made a donation would receive a pink bracelet embellished with the words “Pohanka Pays It Forward,” the name of Pohanka’s community service campaign launched in 2009. The bracelets were not only an incentive to donate but also to show a sense of unity throughout the community. In just less than a year Pohanka had met their goal and raised over $10,000 to give to the American Cancer Society.

 

Pohanka was looking to top their $10,000 donation by launching another “Real Men Wear Pink” campaign in 2017. Though still supporting The American Cancer Society this year’s campaign now uses Alex Macatuno, Mercedes-Benz of Salisbury General Manager, as their spokesperson. “Breast cancer affects everyone.” Said Macatuno while sporting a large florescent pink bowtie and pocket square. “I am determined to raise awareness and money to support the American Cancer Society’s mission and save more lives than ever before from this horrible disease.” The 2017 campaign was officially launched in the beginning of the year and already they have reached their goal of $10,000.

 

Through both campaigns Pohanka of Salisbury has managed to donate a total of over $20,000 to the American Cancer Society. Their love and support for charity involvement has truly set Pohanka apart from other dealerships and have made them a prize in the community.

 

Pohanka Collects Donations to Send to Soldiers Overseas

 

This past June as a partnered event Pohanka offered a discount on any vehicle service in exchange for a donation to Operation We Care, a group who creates care packages for soldiers overseas. The dealership wasn’t asking for cash however, instead they needed household items that would make daily life more comfortable for soldiers stationed in various locations. Items like tissues, chapstick and toothpaste were requested.  A full list along with information on the organization was posted on the Pohanka of Salisbury website. It wasn’t long after the promotion began that community members began to flock to the six dealerships with items to donate. Some didn’t even want the discount advertised but simply wanted to support Pohanka’s involvement in the community.

 

The idea was so successful that the event, which was only anticipated to last a weekend, was extended another five days! For a consecutive week customers were coming in the door, arms full of donations, in exchange for $25 off any service including an oil change. The Pohanka service departments were full and the waiting rooms lively as people conversed, had a cup of coffee and talked to our sales specialists about Pohanka automobiles and the company’s involvement with local non-profit organizations.

 

By the end of the promotion Pohanka managed to fill six large boxes, one for each dealership, with goods to donate to Operation We Care. The representatives from OWC who came to pick up the donations were astounded with what they found. “Working with Pohanka was a great experience,” said Jeff Merritt, President of Operation We Care. “We love working with people in our community to help support our troops. The more folks we get involved the more we can do for them.” Pohanka had managed, yet again, to help serve a large group of people who needed it most.

 

Operation We Care is one of over 750 Non-Profit organizations that Pohanka has aided in the past nine years as part of their initiative to give back to the community. “Pohanka Pays It Forward” and “Pohanka Cares” are two phrases well known throughout the Delmarva community. As one of the most giving companies in the area, Pohanka of Salisbury and its six dealerships actively seeks organizations they can lend a hand to.

 

To learn more about Operation We Care click here:

http://www.operationwecare.com/

 

To learn more about Pohanka Pays It Forward click here:

#WEBSITEURL#/Pohanka-Pays-it-Forward.html

 

 

Pohanka of Salisbury Prominently Featured in the Annual Firemen's Parade

 

Pohanka was prominently featured in the celebration of the 125th Anniversary of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association. With a convention, conference and parade this commemoration created a week-long event from June 17th through the 23rd giving firefighters and their loved ones excellent opportunities including free training, professional networking and a variety of family friendly activities. The biggest of these activities was the Annual Firemen’s Parade that flowed from 15th street to 32nd street on the 21st of June. The massive parade included many floats, live bands and a brand new Mercedes-Benz convertible generously lent by Pohanka of Salisbury.  

 

The execution of the parade required a large amount of volunteers, manpower and funding. Many companies volunteered their time and expertise to make this event as flawless as possible. Advanced Computers, a local computer repair service in Salisbury Maryland, was a major contributor to the planning and execution of the parade. Rick Anderson, the President of Advanced Computers, recommended Pohanka get involved when comfortable and eye catching vehicles were needed to showcase important individuals in the parade itself. A short phone call later Pohanka was sending a 2017 Mercedes-Benz convertible to be used in the festive activities.

 

The Pohanka vehicle was used to chauffeur and present Aleese Augustine, who was representing the Delmar Fire Department in the parade as Little Miss Delmar Fire Prevention and Little Miss Delaware Fire Prevention. Anderson, age 6, squealed “you are so kind!” when seeing the car she would be riding in for the length of the parade. Ashley Hill, an IT Specialist at Advanced Computers who attended the festivities said,“ It certainly caught a lot of attention and I even heard the crowd yell ““Go Pohanka!.””

 

Pohanka has had a strong presence in the community since their launch of “Pohanka Pays It Forward” in 2009. Since then they have partnered with over 750 non-profit organizations  collectively giving over $1,000,000 to those in need. Sandy Fitzgerald-Angello and her team are honored to take part in community events and actively seek ways to show their love and support to those who need it.

 

 

Pohanka Partners With Brooke Mulford Foundation to Bring Toys To Local Pediatric Patients

 

As of June 1st, 2017 Pohanka Automotive of Salisbury became an active volunteer of the “Brooke Mulford Foundation.” Brooke Mulford a young but ambitious girl was diagnosed with an aggressive case of Neuroblastoma in 2009 when she was just four years old.  Five years later Brooke opened “Brooke’s Toy Closet” at Peninsula Regional Health Center in Salisbury, MD. This cabinet contained toys donated by locals to give to pediatric patients. When a local representative, Kristal Elzey, went on Facebook calling for donations she gained immediate and infinite support from Pohanka of Salisbury.

 

“It became a goal of ours to overflow Brooke’s Toy closet at PRMC” said Conrad Morgan, Marketing Manager at Pohanka of Salisbury. After hearing about Brooke’s objective Pohanka was eager to help. Donation bins were placed in all six dealerships and an online campaign was launched to grow awareness for Brooke, her illness, and her foundation. Brooke’s bravery and selflessness were the exact traits Pohanka values in its nonprofit partners and they were beyond eager to aid and support this little girl and her mission.

 

Over a two week period Pohanka collected over 100 toys ranging from Lego sets to Barbie dolls to toddler appropriate playsets. The toys were personally delivered to PRMC on June 20th by various Pohanka employees. Brandy Zissimos, a vehicle specialist with Pohanka, was a large part of this donation process. While dropping off the toys at PRMC she held back tears and remarked, “Something as small as a toy can change how these children feel. It gives these kids a chance to be kids again.”  

 

Of Course Pohanka’s generosity and dedication to the community is nothing new. In 2009 “Pohanka Pays It Forward” was founded by Pohanka of Salisbury Vice President, Sandy Fitzgerald. This program gives monthly donations to local charities and causes. Through this campaign Pohanka was raised over $1,000,000 and given to over 750 local non-profit organizations all with the goal of aiding the community we all work, live and raise our families in. Contributing to Brooke’s Toy Closet was an honor for this organization to be a part of.

 

Sadly Brooke Mulford passed away on June 12th 2017 after a nearly eight year battle with cancer. Though she will be missed her joyful and optimistic spirit lives on through her family, her foundation and everyone she has touched. 

 

To Learn More About The Brooke Mulford Foundation Click Here:

http://brookemulfordfoundation.org/

To Learn More About Pohaka Pays It Forward Click Here:  

#WEBSITEURL#/Pohanka-Pays-it-Forward.html