Sconda

Scott Honda Helps "Drive Away the Cold"

How many winter coats can you fit inside a Honda Odyssey? The Answer is 196 (if rear visibility is not a necessity).

Scott Honda recently dropped off 196 winter coats for children at the Maternal and Child Health Consortium of Chester County.  The coats were a part of Driving Away the Cold, organized by the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia.

"Of all the charity work we do this is my favorite cause," says Sales Consultant Greg Cole, a father of five.  "It just makes you feel good to know that we're able to help so many people at once."

Scott Honda, a 2nd year participant, donated a coat for every vehicle sold in the month of September.  Scott was one of 118 area dealers that donated over 17,875 coats this year alone.  In the first two years of this great program, more than 36,000 children have been kept warm thanks to the the generosity of these car dealers.

In a story told to Sconda Blog, during a home visit last year a participant received three coats for her three boys. She hugged the Family Health Advocates and as she opened the coats she expressed her great appreciation.  “You don’t know how much this means to me and my family! I recently lost my job and my boyfriend was just in the hospital for heart related problems and I was thinking what I am going to do for coats this year?” Both she and her boyfriend were overly appreciative and thanked the staff members numerous times.

Stories just like that are repeating themselves all over the Philadelphia area again this year.

“We are so proud of this entire program and all of its facets including the 118 dealers who participated in our second annual month-long campaign,” said Kevin Mazzucola, executive director of the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation, in a press release. “Given the challenges that have plagued the auto industry this year, we were unsure of the amount of dealers that would be able and willing to participate or what size donation we would be able to make. We virtually matched last year’s efforts and that is remarkable. The dealers remain committed to the cause and I salute them for that.”

Scott Honda sees the great need for these coats in the region and plans to continue to support Driving Away the Cold for years to come.

"This is a cause we believe in very much," says Vice President Duke Scott. "Sometimes you donate money to a charity and have no idea where it goes and who it helps.  With Driving Away the Cold, there is no doubt and that brings us and the recipients great comfort, they're just different kinds of comfort."

photo caption: Nelly J. Arevalo, Program Manager for Community Health/Family Center Director (left) stands with Courtney Lynne Coleman, Community Health Support Coordinator (right) for the Maternal and Child Health Consortium holding the brand new coats that will be greatly appreciated by underprivileged West Chester area children.

Scott Honda teams up with West Chester University

Scott Honda has joined forces with West Chester University, the Amazon Center for Environmental Education and Research (ACEER) Foundation and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Appeal by donating the two year lease of a 2010 Honda Civic LX automatic sedan, to be raffled off next Spring.

West Chester University’s College of Health Sciences is partnering with the ACEER Foundation to "offer a unique experience on the campus of WCU in March 2010 that signals our commitment to the health of our planet and people," says Marguerite Gould, Sponsorship Coordinator and Director of Operations for the ACEER Foundation.  "With the support of corporate sponsors such as Scott Honda, we hope to raise $300,000 in support of the College’s annual Integrative Health Conference, the ACEER Foundation’s environmental education programs in the USA and the Amazon, and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Appeal."

For Scott Honda, a partnership with WCU on a venture of this scope and scale was an easy choice. 

"We have a great respect for West Chester University and we thought this sponsorship was a great opportunity for our two organizations to partner up,"  says Scott Honda's Vice President, Duke Scott.  "The money raised from this raffle goes to help two causes that are near and dear to us...the environment and cancer patient care."

Tickets for the Civic Raffle are $10 each or 6 for $50 and only 3,000 will be available.  For tickets and rules contact CHS Dean's Office, Sturzebecker 205 or call Deb Murray at 610-738-0411

Scott Creates Historic Ad for Rotorfest '09

This ad will appear in the program guide at this years Rotorfest, held on Saturday, October 3rd and Sunday, October 4th at The American Helicopter Museum & Education Center in West Chester.  This is the 13th annual All Helicopter Air Show and it's sure to be another crowd pleaser.

Scott Honda, with help from Enterprise Rent-a-Car will once again be providing 10 cars for the pilots who will be in town just for this special event.

In this year's ad we focused on our aeronautical history during World War II, when our founder, Raymond P. Scott Sr., kept his Dodge Plymouth dealership open, his employees employed and helped win the war, all with one decision.  Read about it above and see more in our Sconda photo album devoted just to this episode in our rich history.

Scott, Proud to Support Knotts & the Fight Against Breast Cancer

left her career at DuPont after 31 years so she could devote her time and talents to help raise awareness and money for those fighting this terrible disease.  In the last 3 years she has done exactly that, raising over $250,000 for the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition.

"Doing what I can for breast cancer fund raising and awareness makes me feel close to my mother," says Knotts.  "I attribute my wonderful desire to help others to her, she gave me life and taught me how to live."

Their yearly gala fundraiser, Northern Lights of Life - An Evening of Living & Giving, hosted by Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, will be held this Saturday, September 12 at Longwood Gardens.  Last year they raised over $182,000 at this beautiful event which celebrates life after breast cancer with 85% of all money raised by DBCC going directly toward breast cancer programs in the Brandywine Valley area. 

Knott's sister, and Scott Honda customer, Bev Michel, a professional photographer also donates her skills to create beautiful portraits of the breast cancer survivors which the DBCC uses in the events' fashion show.  Each survivor is given their portrait after the event.  Michel does many benefits for the community, including some for Unionville School Districts' PTO and Operation Smile.  She also photographs one of Scott Honda's largest charity events, the Run for Brianne.

"I am very grateful for Scott Honda's support this year," says a thankful Knotts.  "I know that you do a lot for the community and I am proud to recommend customers to your dealership."

If you want to learn more about the DBCC call 302.778.1102 or email them at dbcc@debreastcancer.org

Scott & Our Customers Put $305 in the Pig

Over 75 Scott Honda employees and our wonderful customers combined to donate $305 to the Adopt a Pig charity.  We printed out pink pigs and had each contributor write their name on the pig and we hung them up behind the receptionist desk. 

"What started as a fun idea to help raise money for a great cause really connected with our employees and customers," said Vice President, Duke Scott.  "This is a great charity and we were happy to be a part of it."

The mission of the organization is simple "Adopt a Pig is a program designed to help children and their families cope as they face their greatest challenge, fighting cancer.  Proceeds benefit a variety of support services and coping mechanisms for patients and their families."

Oink, Oink

Collins Kids Sell Lemonade for Alex

For the fifth year in a row Callie and Max Collins, will be spending a Saturday afternoon selling lemonade, but not for the same reasons you and I did when we were their age. 

It's not for a new toy or a video game.  They are trying to raise $2500 for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, to help children their age who are fighting cancer.

Callie, age 11 explains why she loves having her lemonade stand year after year.  "I do it because I want to help get rid of childhood cancer and let everyone have the chance to live."

"I enjoy making the posters and getting a new bracelet each year," says Max, age 8.  "I am also glad I can stop children from suffering. Nobody should have to suffer."

The story behind the lemonade stands is both heartbreaking and motivational.  

Sconda Adopts a Pig for a Great Cause

We really did adopt a pig, it's just ceramic, eats money and helps young children who are fighting cancer.  So we thought we would join this little pig in his effort to make the life of a child going through an incredibly difficult time, a little easier.

According to adoptapig.org  the mission is simple, "To provide coping mechanisms to children fighting cancer and their families.  The founders of this program, experienced these cancer treatments firsthand and understand it is neither a simple nor a short process.  By providing support to children and families, they hope to ease some of the struggles and pains associated with this emotional and physical battle."

Like many people, the battle against cancer has touched members of the Scott family as well.  Without warning on January 2, 2007 my Unlce Rip Scott was diagnosed with metastatic squamous cell head and neck cancer.  Just 6 days later nearly half of his jaw was removed along with lymph nodes, neck muscle and salivary glands. Two weeks later  doctors transferred muscle from his left quadricep and rebuilt his jaw. His entire spring was filled with day after day of radiation therapy, chemotherapy or some days both.  His body was withered, his energy was sapped, but he stayed strong.

I had the honor of taking him to his radiation and chemo treatments on a few occasions.  Those waiting rooms are filled with emotions that are hard to describe.  Some people are optimistic, some are hopeless, some old and some are very young, too young to be put through the physical and mental anguish that is the fight against cancer.  It is those children that we are attempting raise money for by adopting this precious pig.

So please help us by dropping some loose change in him while you're in for service or buying a car, or send a check to Adopt a Pig by following this link. 

Our pig was painted by Julie age 11...good luck Julie.

UHS's Weber Picks up her '00 Accord

Unionville High School Senior, Shelby Weber picked up her prize last Wednesday with a smile from ear to ear the entire time.  The grateful and deserving 18-year-old received the keys to her 2000 Honda Accord LX V6 sedan with 92,000 miles and got a Scott Honda sweatshirt to sweeten the deal a bit.

According to UHS After Prom Committee Member Judy McClaskey, this year’s After Prom had 570 students attend with only 45 leaving early. That number is down from last year’s 120.

"Your generosity and commitment to our Unionville's After Prom makes our event a success," said Mary Austin, of the UHS After Prom Committee. "What teen wouldn't be thrilled to recieve a gently used, clean, reliable, safe car that will last for years, for free?  I can only say thank you Scott Honda for your donation again this year."

"Scott Honda is happy to help keep these kids safe and we wish we had the resources to do it for every local high school," said Vice President Duke Scott.  "We look forward to contributing to this event again next year."

Congrats to UHS's Shelby Weber - After Prom Accord Winner

    At 5 a.m. on Sunday morning, while most of us were sleeping, Shelby Weber's name was being announced as the winner of the Unionville High School After Prom Car Giveaway, donated by Scott Honda.
  "I was completely shocked when they announced my name," Weber told Sconda.  "I decided to do the drawing this year on a whim, not thinking that I would get it, but it definitely is a blessing! Everyone around me was so happy that I received the car because they knew that I would be able to use it!"

    Weber, an 18-year-old senior, explained that she was going to have to share a car with her sister all summer, but now that notion is a thing of the past.  She'll have her own car during the summer months and when she begins attending La Roche College in Pittsburgh Pa, where she will major in interior design and play volleyball.

    "She was so tired and so happy, all she could do was smile," said Judy McClaskey, one of the members of the UHS After Prom Steering Committe. "This morning I was making rounds (at UHS) and stopped in the office, they wanted to know who won.  When I told them Shelby, one secretary actually started to cry and said a nicer kid could not have won!"
    This is the third year Scott Honda has donated a car.  Weber's prize was a '00 Honda Accord LX V6 sedan, with 92,000 miles.
    "Thank you, thank you, thank you, I am so grateful," said a grateful Weber.

    From all of us at Scott Honda, you are most welcome!  Enjoy your new car and drive safe.

The Run for Brianne/Race for the Hearts was a Great Success

Scott Honda donated two Certified Honda Ridgelines as chase cars in the Race for the Hearts on Saturday.  Driven by longtime R4B volunteers, Tom Worthington and Jim McDevitt, the Ridgelines were filled with spare tires to help any unfortunate rider who got a flat during the race.

The weather was perfect on Saturday and event was very well attended, among the entrants was the wife and children of Vice President Duke Scott who participated in the foot race portion of the day.

Stay tuned for more information and pictures on this wonderful event!  Thank you to all of our employees and customers who came out to support Unionville High School.