A Benefit for the Community
THE SACRAMENTO INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW
A Benefit for the Community
The Beginning
The journey began over 25 years ago. A new car dealer association looking to make a difference in the community, throw in hundreds of new cars, community-based car clubs and viola, an auto show is born.
The Sacramento International Auto Show started with very humble beginnings at the Sacramento Convention Center, with less than fifteen manufacturers represented by local dealerships, sponsored by the Greater Sacramento New Car Dealers Association. But even back then, whatever meager proceeds were left from the event – some years it was just $32,000 – were always donated to benefit and strengthen the community.
Growing and Evolving
That spirit of giving has grown with the Auto Show as it has evolved. In 1998 the event outgrew the Convention Center and was moved to a single 98,000 square foot building at Cal Expo. By 2002 the Auto Show had grown to include over 40 manufacturers and took every available inch of the Cal Expo facility – over 265,000 feet. Then Ride and Drives – where consumers could get behind the wheel and drive the new cars – were added, making the entire footprint of the Auto Show over one million feet.
Charity and Outreach
As the Sacramento International Auto Show grew, so did it’s charitable outreach. The Greater Sacramento New Car Dealers Association was one of the first groups to respond and donate to the couple who while walking their dogs, were cut down by a speeding driver. He died and she amazingly survived with life-altering injuries.
This group paid for a Life Flight to bring home a critically injured Sacramento man from Florida after he and his wife were in a parasailing accident that took her life. They replaced a scooter stolen off a front porch that belonged to a special needs Sacramento child and also donated to the recovery of a Cameron Park lifeguard after he experienced a sudden paralysis injury.
The Greater Sacramento New Car Dealers were also able to use the funds generated by the Auto Show to donate to the City of Sacramento’s “Save Our Pools” Campaign. When it looked like the City would not be able to raise the funds to open the pools, the Greater Sacramento New Car Dealers Association stepped up and made the final contribution that resulted in all the City of Sacramento pools being opened for the summer of 2012.
Shriners Hospitals for Children
The Auto Show growth in size and attendance again in 2013 led to an historical day in February when the Greater Sacramento New Car Dealers Association funded a one million dollar ten-year endowment for Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California Pediatric Regenerative Research. Never before had a donation of this size and duration been made by the Association – a direct result of Auto Show proceeds.
Other Organizations Funded
Numerous other local donations have followed, including the gift of a new car for Make-A-Wish and funding of many wishes, a room in the new Ronald McDonald house – which provides free housing for the families of children being treated at local hospitals, and financial support for the Sweet Dreams foundation – a charity that redecorates bedrooms for home-bound severely ill children, and a donation to 3Strands – a local organization dedicated to fighting human trafficking and aiding trafficking survivors.
The strength and breadth of the Greater Sacramento New Car Dealers Association giving has been felt far and wide as they have donated to everything from food pantries, animal shelters, programs to help abused women and children get back on their feet, to supporting a place where homeless children can spend the day going to school in a safe environment off the streets, and finically assisting a free after-school day care for the children of financially disadvantaged working parents. That is not to mention the scholarships and tremendous support of automotive technical education in area high schools and community colleges.
There have been over $4 million donated directly from funds the Sacramento International Auto Show. With the community’s continued support of this great family automotive event, the Greater Sacramento New Car Dealers Association’s ability to supply a helping hand will continue to grow and flourish.
