Sandy Fitzgerald-Angello and the Pohanka team are currently working on
a “Women Build” Habitat for Humanity home on Cook Drive in Salisbury
(a 2007 Women Build project is pictured above). “We’ve been blessed
by Pohanka’s support, Sandy’s leadership and the gift of time and talent
from volunteers from across the community, including many women,”
shares Barry King of Habitat for Humanity.
Written by: Kimberly L. Kilmer
The phrase “pay it forward” became quite popular and widely used after a movie of the same name had box office success in the year 2000. According to Wikipedia, “the expression is used to describe the concept of asking that a good turn be repaid by having it done to others instead.” The Pohanka Pays it Forward program does just that.
It is the hope of the Pohanka Automotive Group of Salisbury’s Vice President, Sandy Fitzgerald, that the Pohanka Pays it Forward program, which was started in March 2009, will inspire other businesses to follow suit. “It’s a win-win situation” says Fitzgerald.
“By purchasing a new or pre-owned vehicle from us, and then making a donation to the local non-profit of your choice, your purchase and donation are supporting the local community.” As stated on the Pohanka Web site, “When times are tough, that is when a community needs to pull together. That is why Pohanka is Paying it Forward!” Fitzgerald added, “It’s a positive program.”
The concept of the program is quite simple. Once a customer purchases a new or pre-owned vehicle from the Pohanka Automotive Group of Salisbury, they get to choose a local non-profit to receive an average donation of $100. Upon select sales events, the donation amounts increase to as much as $250 for every vehicle sold. The list of non-profit groups is extensive and at present includes more than 150 local charities. The vehicle owner has an option to choose his or her own local non-profit if it is not listed.
“This is an exciting program,” says Chris Hagel, who is the marketing director for the Pohanka Automotive Group of Salisbury. “The most memorable moment for me,” continued Hagel, “was when Brooke Mulford’s father Rob returned the favor and paid forward a Brooke Mulford Foundation donation to the Isaiah Elliot Cancer Fund. That happened at Shorebirds Stadium. Members of the community supporting each other is what this program is all about.”
YouTube videos featuring a few of the non-profits that have profited from the Pohanka Pays it Forward Program can be found by visiting www.youtube.com/user/PohankaofSalisbury#p/u and clicking on the Pohanka Pays it Forward videos.
Above: Hurlock, Md., cancer survivor Isaiah Elliott, aka “Bud” age 6.
The American Cancer Society is grateful for the funds from the Pohanka Pay It Forward campaign for helping provide support for cancer patients and their caregivers.
In addition to grants to fund cancer research, the ACS is able to provide local programs and services that can be accessed through 1-800-227-2345 every minute of every day.
Recently, there are increased requests for services such as a transportation program, free prostheses, free wigs, scarves and hats, and referral to support resources for families. ACS is fortunate to have the backing of Pohanka and other members of the community in the fight against cancer.
Total donated monies as of November 2009 were calculated to be $142,930. The largest amount of donations, according to the November 2009 tally, had been paid to the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, Brooke Mulford Foundation c/o The United Way, Christian Shelter, Coastal Hospice Inc., Fruitland Falcon Football Inc., Fruitland Volunteer Fire Company, Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County Women Build, Humane Society of Wicomico County, Isaiah Elliott Cancer Fund, La Mercer c/o The Community Association of the Eastern Shore, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Lower Delaware Autism Foundation, MAC, Inc. Area Agency on Aging, March of Dimes, Maryland Food Bank, Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary of Sussex County, Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Beautification Program, Salisbury Zoo Renew the Zoo Fund c/o The Community Association of the Eastern Shore, Special Olympics Maryland, St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Toys for Tots Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and Women Supporting Women. A complete list of non-profits that have received donations from the Pohanka Pay it Forward program can be found by visiting the program Web site www.pohankapaysitforward.com/.
The program does not limit the buyer of a new or pre-owned automobile to making a donation to only the sizable non-profits. In these challenging economic times, most non-profit agencies depend on even the smallest donations from the community to stay alive. Non-profits that benefit local band booster programs, youth and sport programs, blood banks, military troop support, agencies that assist the homeless and support local arts are among the diverse non-profits available as a choice to Pohanka buyers. Some of the most poignant and time sensitive causes include those in the community that need immediate help for medical needs, such as the aforementioned Brooke Mulford Foundation and the Isaiah Elliott Cancer Fund. Another non-profit of a personal nature is New Lungs for Chuck. This is a non-profit with an urgent message of a medical need that must be met in the near future.
Fitzgerald is quick to point out that supporting this program does not mean a vehicle purchased from Pohanka will cost the buyer more. The monies that are being donated come out of a restructuring of the advertising program at Pohanka. “Keeping the advertising local is another way of supporting the local community to allow the Pay it Forward Program to continue well into the future,” she said.
To learn more about the program call Chris Hagel, marketing director of Pohanka Automotive Group of Salisbury at 410-749-2301 ext. 8030 or e-mail chrisrobininc@aol.com. 2013 N. Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, Md., www.pohankaofsalisbury.com