Des Moines, IA, July 3, 2017
Media Contact:
Kelsey Gabus McBride, Human Resources Director
kelsey@toyotadm.com
515-333-5260
Jessica Brown
jbrown@eastersealsia.org
515-309-2396
For the team at Gabus Automotive Group, 2016 was marred by the loss of Gene Gabus in September. In tribute to Gene and to Gene’s father, the late Charles Gabus who founded the family of car dealerships, Gene’s daughter Kelsey Gabus McBride now drives the community support legacy established by her grandfather and expanded under her father’s leadership. A key component of the Gabus Automotive Group’s giving program is the Gabus Cares July charitable event.
When customers buy a new or used vehicle during July from any of the Gabus Automotive Group dealerships, Gabus Automotive Group will donate $100 per car sold to local charities. Dealership visitors can also make a free will donation to any of the four selected charities at Charles Gabus Ford, Kia of Des Moines, Toyota of Des Moines and Des Moines Mitsubishi in the service and showroom areas.
From a pool of 40 nominated organizations, employees voted to support these four local charities:
• AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport
• Central Iowa Shelter & Services
• Easter Seals Iowa
• OK 200 Stop the Traffic
To date, Gabus Automotive Group July charitable programs have raised over $1.7 million since the charitable July sales program was established in 2008. The Gabus Family Foundation along with the Gabus Automotive Group have given up to $3 million per year to benefit over 50 charities.
Kelsey Gabus McBride says, “It has always been about the genuine act of giving for not only my grandfather and father, but also for the employees. The best part of the process for me has been seeing the employees so engaged in the selection process. Many of them suggest charities that have a great deal of meaning to them and share a story behind the selection of their charity.”