Carlisle Salvation Army Earns More Than $30,000 in Donations from Auto Auction

Sept. 13, 2012 - PRLog -- The Carlisle (Pennsylvania) branch of the Salvation Army benefited greatly on Thursday (9/13/12) as part of a dealer-only charity car auction.  The event, hosted by the Harrisburg Auto Auction in nearby Mechanicsburg, saw more than two dozen vehicles designated as "charity cars" by local dealers.  In turn, the cars were sold with 100% of the sales and onsite donations going directly to the local Carlisle Salvation Army branch.  As part of the charity portion of the event, all buyers and sellers fees were waived, making the atmosphere that more exciting.  Further, courtesy of the GE Remarketing Race to Give campaign, the charitable take is assured to stay local rather than being allocated into a national pool.

The more than two dozen cars onsite were donated by a wide array of local and regional dealers.  This list includes the following:  Amicus Auto Sales (Harrisburg Auto Auction), Bob Ruth Ford, Bobby Rahal Honda, Cumberland Valley Motors, Family Ford, Forrer Chrysler/Dodge, Freysinger Pontiac, Gaines Auto Sales, Graham Motor Company, Highland Motor Sales, Hoffman Ford, Lawrence Chevrolet, Liberator Performance, William H. Wessel's Used Cars and Willow View Auto Sales.  In some cases, dealers donated more than one car to the auction.  

All told, the daylong event proved to be a great boost for the Salvation Army, especially as they work to bridge the gap between their summer donation season and kettle season.  Kettle season is the time leading up and during the holidays when volunteers stand outside local and regional business seeking donations.  This event also further solidifies the relationship between Carlisle Events and the Salvation Army, a relationship in which Carlisle Events provides grounds access to the Salvation Army for community activities like yard sales and carnivals.  

"We've done something of this sort with the Salvation Army in years past," noted Bill Miller.  "I believe it's been at least eight years where an auction car has been sold benefiting the local offices and last year we were pleased to donate nearly $12,000 to them via a vehicle we received from Ahold and Giant Food Stores," added Miller.  "That total was great, but we always strive to do bigger and better things for them.  With the help of a great array of local dealers, GE and the Harrisburg Auto Auction, I'm blown away at what we've been able to accomplish today.  Topping this next year will be a large task, but I'm up to it and hopefully our partners are too."

"Historically we do a lot of charitable work," said Lynn Weaver, General Manager of the Harrisburg Auto Auction.  "This time around we wanted to do something a little different and with the help of Bill Miller of Carlisle Events, Don Secrist of the GE Remarketing Race to Give campaign, the Salvation Army and a vast array of local and regional dealers, I think we've done just that," continued Weaver.  "Our totals more than doubled what the Salvation Army saw last year and that's very exciting for everyone involved.  I'm glad we were able to host the event and help those in need during difficult times."