Iowa Dealer Gives Coats To Needy Children and Builds Homes in Haiti

A dealer out of Iowa has a very hands-on approach to giving back to those in need. Jensen dealerships in Le Mars and Sioux City, Iowa employ Ford, FCA, Suzuki, Mazda and Subaru brands spread out over three stores. Each and every sale made at one of the group’s dealerships goes towards a good cause while the dealer also leaves the country to help those in need of a roof over their heads.

According to the Sioux City Journal, every month Jensen dealerships set aside a certain amount of money on each sale for a cause of the month. The cause for the month of December is the Salvation Army Coats for Kids program. Dealership Marketing Manager Tracie Blatchford is in charge of the coat donation program and this month she went on a buying spree, purchasing 75 coats at major retailers for needy children. The Marketing Manager even found stores willing to extend discounts when they found out about the program.

Blatchford told the Sioux City Journal, “You’re obviously doing something when you come up with 20-30 coats. You’re doing it for a reason. The retailers have been great on giving additional discounts for the program as well.” Giving coats as part of this program is nothing new for this store as they donated 125 coats last year.

In addition to the donation the store gives as part of all sales, the dealer principal also works with humanitarian efforts in Haiti. On the dealership website, one of the tabs is “Houses for Haiti.” Bob Jensen, the dealer principal has worked with his wife building houses in Haiti for over 14 years and plans to send employees on a mission trip to Jamaica in February of 2016.

With Christmas in the rearview mirror and a new year on the horizon, what outreach is your store doing at home or abroad? What dealers have you seen doing good lately? What outreach goals does your store have for 2016?