Dealership supporting local charities
Published 7:17 pm Saturday, December 25, 2010
After several weeks of collecting toys and money for Toys for Tots and the Cheer Fund, auto dealership owner Mike Duman is filling the last week of the year with more promotions for local charities.
To kick off the year-long celebration of Mike Duman Auto Sales’ 30th anniversary, Duman has planned four days of action at the North Main Street dealership this week.
“These won’t be our last or only charity events that we’re going to have,” Duman said Wednesday. “We plan on having, for this whole year, some type of monthly event every month to celebrate our 30th anniversary.
The American Red Cross, Stop Texting and Talking (S.T.A.T.), Suffolk Humane Society and King’s Kids of America all will benefit from this week’s activities.
“They’re organizations that I’m very familiar with,” Duman said. “People have Christmas behind them. We felt that it would be a better time to come by and support these activities.”
Folks who come by and donate in some way to the organizations will be eligible for drawings that include more than $1,500 in gift certificates and prizes from local businesses. Donors also will be entered in a grand-prize drawing for a $1,000 gift certificate from Mike Duman Auto Sales — $500 toward the purchase of a vehicle and $500 for parts or services.
Monday, the American Red Cross bloodmobile will be at the dealership from 1 to 4 p.m. collecting blood and giving out information on the Red Cross’s services. All blood donors will receive the “Cooking for Heroes” cookbook, featuring recipes from blood donors and celebrities.
Tuesday, the S.T.A.T. campaign developed by Mike Duman Auto Sales will encourage people to stop talking and texting on their cell phones while driving. Visitors can sign a pledge and receive a sticker to display on their car.
Wednesday, members of the Suffolk Humane Society will bathe dogs for $10 donations. The dealership also will sponsor a “Cutest Pet Photo Contest,” which invites visitors to bring their pets in for free photos. All photos will be posted on Mike Duman Auto Sales’ Facebook fan page. The one that receives the most “likes” will win a gift basket worth $100 donated by The Hydrant.
In addition, Suffolk Animal Control will have adoptable animals on site. For anyone who adopts at Mike Duman that day or mentions Mike Duman at the shelter, he will pay $50 of the adoption fee, which is normally $60 for cats and $75 for dogs.
Finally, on Thursday, older children involved with King’s Kids of America will wash cars ($10 for cars, $15 for SUVs), with all proceeds going toward King’s Kids, an organization dedicated to helping young people develop into well-rounded individuals.
Duman chose the activities based on the space and facilities available at his location, he said. The heated wash bays with water service, drainage and lights will come in handy during the dog and car washes, and there’s plenty of room on the lot to park the bloodmobile.
Throughout the week, people also can bring donations for the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, as well as the Suffolk News-Herald Cheer Fund. For customers who mention the Cheer Fund at the time of purchase, Duman will donate $100 to the fund, which provides support for Toys for Tots in Suffolk.
For more information, call the dealership at 539-1000.