Giving back to their community is something many businesspeople try to do, but making a real difference in others’ lives is what Randy and Michael Chapman of the Chapman Auto Group are really all about. The brothers, who run seven Ford and Lincoln-Mercury dealerships as part of their Philadelphia-based company, are especially devoted to children’s causes.

“Car dealers in general are very generous people so we get contacted a lot by groups looking for financial support,” said Randy, president and CEO. “But when we are invited to participate in something like the Special Olympics and see how much the kids get out of it … it makes me very grateful for what I have and happy to help in any way we can.”

The Chapmans have extended their late father’s love for horses into another way to help others. Roy Chapman who owned the legendary Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Smarty Jones. So when Special Equestrians – a nonprofit therapeutic riding program for children and adults with physical, mental and emotional disabilities – approached them in the early 1990s, the Chapmans jumped at the opportunity.

“They have helped fund major capital projects and sponsor multiple events each year,” said Laura Soldano, executive director of Special Equestrians in Warrington, Pa, which each week serves 100 adults and kids. “The Chapmans’ support has helped make our programs a reality.”

Another favorite cause of the Chapmans and their nearly 500 employees is the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. For 15 years Randy and Michael have donated a Ford Mustang to be raffled at the Philadelphia Affiliate’s Race for the Cure. They also donate cars for the Komen Philadelphia Pink Tie Ball auction, donate to other projects and transport volunteers. 

“To them, giving for the cause seems so natural,” said Elaine I. Grobman, executive director of the Philadelphia Affiliate. “More than just the money and resources they so generously invest, it is their enthusiasm, inspiration and genuine devotion that means so much to so many.” 

The Chapmans also support Special Olympics for people with intellectual disabilities. The dealers include the Special Olympians in employee luncheons, to which employees and suppliers donate gifts and buy raffle tickets, all auctioned for charity – and a chance at the dunk tank.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and other local charities, sports teams, schools, orphanage, hospital, law enforcement and food banks also benefit from the Chapmans’ generosity. “All of these organizations give kids who need it a chance,” Randy said. “Donating our time and resources is just the right thing to do.”

Family and children are everything to Raymond J. Ciccolo, a Boston Volvo dealer for 44 years. So the father and grandfather finds himself driven to share the blessings in his life with children who are less fortunate than his own.

One of Ray’s favorite organizations is Best Buddies, which is dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment. Volvo is a major supporter of Best Buddies and Ray has championed the cause. For example, each of the past nine years, Ray has hosted – and run in – the Boston Volvo Thanksgiving 5K Road Race, which raises thousands of dollars each year.

“Ray is compassionate and dedicated to our mission of social inclusion,” said Audrey Katz, state director, Best Buddies Massachusetts. “He is always available and willing to help in any way.”

Ray’s charitable efforts extend well beyond his community. He is a board member of Medical Missions for Children, which works to provide care for critically ill children in less developed countries, and has been active in the group’s overseas trips to impoverished areas. On the mission trips, Ray helps in any way he can – pitching in on logistics and transportation and running supplies from storage to the operating room.

“Ray has the biggest heart,” said Dr. Usama Hamdan, president and CEO of Medical Missions for Children. “I wish there were more people like him. It would make the world a better place.”

Ray’s advice and enthusiasm has boosted the efforts of The Alliance for Children Foundation, an international relief organization dedicated to improving the physical and emotional well-being of abandoned children living in orphanages in Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America.

Ray’s other efforts include establishing a college endowment that awards a scholarship every year to a needy student. He and his wife serve Thanksgiving dinner for the elderly while Ray’s dealerships collect gifts for Toys for Tots and clothing for the needy. Ray speaks at school vocational events, participates in blood drives, sponsors inner-city children’s attendance at major sporting events, promotes employment of the less fortunate, supports Child Safety Day and semi-annually sponsors employees and others in the SkidSchool driving training program.

Through it all, Ray is modest and describes his efforts as simply being grateful for his good fortune. “The organizations I support, both financially and personally, I do for the sake of doing, not for any accolades and awards,” he said.

As a successful businesswoman and dedicated community activist, Irma B. Elder supports so many causes and organizations there are almost too many to count. Irma, who heads up the Elder Automotive Group based in Troy, Mich., is especially devoted to causes that benefit those who are often the most vulnerable.

“I was brought up believing it’s better to give than to receive,” she said.

Irma, who refers to herself as a “truly multi-cultural person,” was 12 years old when she moved from Mexico to Miami. When her husband, James, died in 1983, Irma took over the business, becoming the first woman to own a Ford dealership in Metro Detroit. Irma has since grown the Elder Automotive Group into eight Ford, Jaguar and Aston-Martin dealerships in Michigan and Florida.

One of Irma’s favorite groups is LASED (Latin Americans for Social and Economic Development Inc.) in Detroit’s Mexicantown. Irma especially enjoys supporting the Senior Citizens Center because “the atmosphere there reminds me of my mother,” she said. “Whenever we ask her she helps out right away,” said Edith Colon, director of LASED’s senior center.

Irma sits on dozens of boards, to which she offers her financial expertise, strategic advice and generous donations. During her 10-year involvement at Oakland Family Services, Irma has provided leadership in a variety of areas, including a $4 million endowment campaign, said Michael S. Earl, president/CEO of the private, nonprofit human services group.

At Detroit-based Henry Ford Health System, Irma has been “an incredible supporter to its programs and a wonderful ambassador for the Josephine Ford Cancer Center,” said Mary Tindall, senior director of Planned and Leadership Gifts.

As a trustee of Northwood University, the Midland, Mich.-based institution that counts more than 3,000 franchised auto dealers as graduates, Irma ensures the Automotive Marketing program is up to date, reviews financials, meets with students and represents the university.

Irma often is asked to mentor women, both young and seniors. “I encourage them by relating events and issues from my own life’s experiences, successes and challenges,” Irma said.

“It is particularly rewarding to make one smile, to make a difference in an attitude and to brighten a day by visiting and conversing.”

Marie Fritts, owner of Fritts Ford in Riverside, Calif., is a beloved member of her community, with which she connects by donating her time, leadership skills and money to support numerous organizations and causes, large and small.

When her husband, Rick, died seven years ago, Marie not only picked up the reigns of his dealership but carried on his tradition of community service as well. “It is important to give back to the community that has supported our Ford dealership,” she said.

Rick Fritts founded Riverside Against Drugs (RAD) 20 years ago and helped support it with a fund-raiser at his dealership each year. Marie has been able to double the amount of money Fritts Ford has raised for RAD, which serves local students. The funds support drug, alcohol, tobacco and violence prevention and intervention programs as well as School Resource Officers.

“Mrs. Fritts is an exceptionally generous and caring individual and I feel honored to be able to work with her. She is the battery that keeps the machine going,” said Deborah Myers Norys, Pupil Services, Riverside Unified School District.

Marie also has a soft spot for animals. Marie gives generously to the Riverside Humane Society Pet Adoption Center’s capital campaign, provides major sponsorship of events and donates a Ford truck to transport shelter animals to area veterinary clinics. Marie combines her support of local law enforcement with her love of animals, helping to fund the acquisition and training of several police dogs for Riverside law enforcement agencies.

“As a friend to the department and as a very involved citizen in this community, her name is well-known … for her actual involvement and commitment to community issues,” Riverside Police Chief Russ Leach said.

Marie’s commitment to the new Arlanza Health Care Center in Riverside means thousands of underinsured and uninsured families and individuals will receive quality vision care and glasses, regardless of their ability to pay for it.

Marie gives countless hours of her time doing what she can for many other community causes, including adopting a local elementary school so Santa Claus can provide a toy to every student and supporting the Riverside Arts Council, YWCA and more.

“I have been very fortunate to have been successful in business and it is a moral obligation to give to those who are less fortunate,” Marie said.

For car dealer Marty Giles, quality of life is as much an attitude as a responsibility, so much of what he does in business and community work revolves around “getting it done.” When Marty, who owns Northstar Ford Lincoln in Fort McMurray, Alberta, sees a need, he jumps into action and gathers others in his effort as well.

“A community is only as strong and vibrant as the people who put their time, talent and heart into making it their home,” Marty said.

Access to health care services can sometimes be challenging in remote communities, which Marty discovered when one of his ski team members needed a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test after an injury. But the nearest MRI is an inconvenient four hours away. So Marty enthusiastically agreed to chair the Northern Lights Regional Health Foundation’s $3.5 million MRI campaign to bring the device to Fort McMurray’s 75,000 residents and nearby areas.

“We partnered with individuals, health care professionals, industry, small business – and our community bonded together,” Marty said. The campaign was expected to take two years to complete, but it met its goal in just seven months.

Much of what Marty does relates to his love of coaching, whether it’s youth skiing and hockey, business or leadership development. Like most parents, Marty got into coaching because his kids got into sports. But it’s those “ah ha” moments – in sports and business – that keep him in it.

As a member of Leadership Wood Buffalo, Marty and other community leaders are coaching young entrepreneurs to form a new leadership pool that will build relationships and form alliances to benefit and assist in the region’s development.

Marty’s employees also get into the spirit of community, giving to such causes and groups as United Way, Unity House for battered women, the Canadian Cancer Society, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and more.

For Marty, what he does just seems like the right thing to do. “I not only feel blessed to be in a position to help those that need a hand up, but I feel responsible to make a difference wherever I can,” he said. “After all, which one of us can really do it alone?”
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To Bernie Blais, CEO, Northern Lights Health Region, Marty embodies the true spirit of Fort McMurray. “He is tireless, dedicated and the most enthusiastic volunteer,” Blais said. “His social conscience and passion to improve the lives of those in need is inspiring. Marty’s efforts will help improve the lives of thousands of people a year in our community.”

Tim Razzari is not just a businessman but a passionate community activist who uses all of his many talents to inspire others to help raise money and support for a wide variety of causes.

“I believe a successful businessperson has an obligation to give back to the community,” said Tim, who owns Razzari Ford/Mazda in the central California town of Merced. “Our visible contributions of time and energy inspire others to get involved.  My own contributions are inspired by the commitment and generosity of others as well as the needs of the individual organization.”

Tim is a firm believer in helping provide the tools that enable people to better themselves. That’s why his association with A Woman’s Place of Merced County is so gratifying; because the domestic violence group is committed to providing others an opportunity to change their life.
To help support A Woman’s Place, Tim and his team cook its annual fund-raising dinner. When the auction at this year’s event, attended by about 400 people, slowed down Razarri came out of the kitchen to spice things up, offering to cut his long hair for a bid of $10,000.

Tim puts his talents as a chef and an auctioneer to work for many causes. He and his team cook many gourmet meals, which are sold at fund-raising auctions that generate thousands of dollars to benefit schools, charities and civic organizations. He also helps raise money for Trails of Happy Tails, a nonprofit group that takes animals from the local shelter and places them with rescue organizations throughout the region.

Tim got his start as an auctioneer at a St. Luke’s Episcopal School in Merced, which his children attended and where his granddaughter is a preschool student. Tim and his wife, Billie, have been instrumental in the development of St. Luke’s. They helped organize the school’s first auction in 1982, which has since raised more than $1 million, and worked to broaden its programs and create opportunities for children to attend who might not otherwise be able to pay the tuition. “Now my kids give back to the school, too,” Tim said proudly.

“Because of people like Tim, we are able to provide a Christian setting for a secure and nurturing environment that encourages academic excellence and challenges children to achieve their full intellectual, emotional, social, physical and spiritual potential,” the Rev. Ron Parry said.

Tim gives his time, talent and resources to dozens of other efforts, too, including the Italo-American Lodge, which promotes and supports community needs such as youth groups, sports teams, scholarship programs and medical research; historical societies and civic organizations. He also was actively involved in securing Merced as the site of the 10th University of California campus, which opened in September 2005.

As a longtime businessman and community supporter, Paul Rusnak has touched many lives with his generosity of time, money, influence and kindness through a wide variety of organizations and causes. Paul, whose RUSNAK Auto Group consists of 12 locations throughout Southern California, including Jaguar and Volvo dealerships, has developed and facilitated dozens of relationships with nonprofit and community groups in the 40 years he has been in business.

“Our mission is not only to raise money and sponsor events, but to create awareness of needs and give back to our community,” Paul said.
           
Paul focuses his efforts on children-oriented causes, such as Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles and Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. “Children need more help than anyone,” Paul said. “They are the future.”

Paul was honored by Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles’ “Wish Night Gala” for his extraordinary commitment to the children the organization serves. Among dozens of examples of his generosity, Paul has brightened the life of a 4-year-old race car lover with leukemia who got to interact with classic luxury autos and boosted the confidence of a 15-year-old with cystic fibrosis by giving her the opportunity to strut her stuff on a fashion show runway.

“The events the Rusnaks put on on behalf of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles and the involvement of our ‘wish children’ in them are a wonderful opportunity for the public to meet the children and hear their stories,” said Cheri Lauterbach, director of development.

Paul also has provided critically needed philanthropic support to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles to help cover costs for patients unable to pay for their treatment.

Paul also helps the AIDS Service Center in Pasadena, which reaches out to almost 1,700 individuals and families affected by, and at risk for, HIV/AIDS. “Paul Rusnak and his organization have been instrumental in expanding our awareness in the community because of their support,” said Anthony Guthmiller, the center’s director of marketing. “They are creative, engaging and passionate. Whether it’s contributing a vehicle to a live auction, giving a dollar for every test drive or throwing a party at one of their showrooms, they continue to excel in their openness to new ideas and support of our agency.” 

Paul’s daughter, Liz Rusnak Arizmendi, also devotes much of her time to the RUSNAK Auto Group’s community commitments, which also include the Marine Corps’ annual Toys for Tots campaign, the Pasadena POPS Orchestra, Loving Heart Hospice Foundation, March of Dimes,
Haven House, Pasadena Unified Educational Foundation and many others.

Bruce Schindler believes getting involved is the only way to ensure improvement in one’s community. So the owner of Bob Davidson Ford in Baltimore is deeply involved, with children and families as his main focus.

Pathfinders for Autism was founded by parents of children with autism to provide a central clearinghouse of information and support. Bruce’s neighbors, baseball player B.J. Surhoff and his wife, Polly, have a son with autism. “I knew the challenges the Surhoffs had overcome in searching for information and services to help Mason,” Bruce said. “I told them if I can ever help I’d really like to be a part of it. I stay involved because I know there are thousands of other families, many in less fortunate financial shape, who need assistance with resources and services.”

Bruce is a very active board member who devotes his business expertise and time daily managing the organization’s finances, planning fund-raisers and raising awareness of Pathfinders’ resources and needs. Bruce also was the title sponsor of the group’s annual golf tournament, which raised more than $160,000 last year. “Bruce is generous with his time, resources and advice – which has been invaluable,” said Dawn Koplos, executive director of Pathfinders for Autism.

Bruce and his wife, Patti, are also very involved in St. Paul’s School in suburban Baltimore, including serving as co-presidents of the Parents’ Association. Bruce also uses his business skills to aid the Summer Camp program in an effort to stop several years of financial losses. More recently, Bruce was elected a trustee and continues to serve the school on the finance committee.

In 2006, Bruce’s dealership founded Operation Home Base to support local military and their families. Bob Davidson Ford is the collection, packaging and shipping center for all donated goods that will go to activated Maryland troops. The organization also arranges to take care of the needs of returning veterans and their families, such as home or car repairs.

For example, the group built a ramp at the home of Kevin Brown, who had to have his leg amputated after serving in Iraq. “It’s nice to see that a place such as a dealership is showing that they care about the military because sometimes us military people go thinking and feeling that no one cares about us and what we do for this country,” Kevin said.

For Bruce, it’s all a labor of love. “I enjoy knowing that I have played a small part in the development and ongoing operations of these highly successful organizations that continue to make tangible differences in the lives of their stakeholders and our local communities,” he said.

David C. Wintrode is passionate about improving the lives of current and future generations through his work to promote literacy and enhance educational programs and opportunities. “Without proper education, there isn’t a future for our children,” the former teacher said. “The needs out there are tremendous.”

The owner of Causeway Ford & Mercury in Manahawkin, N.J., has served the Ocean County College Foundation for 25 years, helping the community college expand its offerings, distribute scholarships and raise money for a new day care center and early learning center on campus. Under Dave’s leadership as chairman, the foundation enjoyed its best fund-raising year and expects to exceed that this year, said Sandy S. Broughton, executive director of the OCC Foundation. Dave has helped the foundation extend its outreach to partner with community leaders in business, industry, education and government to provide quality, affordable education and prepare students to assume their roles in society. “Dave’s dedication and commitment to the foundation is truly contagious,” Sandy said.

Without literacy there is no education, so Dave helped develop the “Reading for Excellence” program in the Stafford Township schools in 1992. The program encourages a love for reading and makes a connection between home and school. Out of that success was born the Literacy Coalition of Southern Ocean County, which allowed other school systems to share in the program, which now runs year-round in three school systems serving about 3,200 children and eight Head Start pre-schools in Ocean County. Dave and his dealership also help to develop, sponsor and fund six parent workshops each year on a variety of subjects such as discipline, nutrition and “brain gymnastics,” all designed to enhance childhood education.

“Mr. Wintrode is dedicated to offering literacy-based experiences to children of all ages to assist in developing strong foundations for future literacy development,” said Susan D'Alessandro, a principal in Stafford Township schools who leads the Literacy Coalition with Dave.

Dave also is an active member of the United Way of Ocean County, which he helped form in 1978 to provide a wide variety of services, from emergency food and shelter to caring for the elderly and investing in youth. And to help broaden the reach of their giving and support, Bruce established the Wintrode Family Foundation in 2003. The foundation’s grants help provide libraries for the Head Start program, support a summer theater series that reaches more than 8,000 children each year and allow donations to medical facilities.