Next week the Calgary International Auto & Truck Show rolls into town.
While it’s a great opportunity see hundreds of new vehicles all in one place, it is also a chance to help support charity.
Hosted by the Calgary Motor Dealers Association, funds raised at both the show and its grand opening Vehicles & Violins gala have supported hundreds of causes.
“We’re very proud to be involved with many different charities in Calgary,” said CMDA executive manager Jim Gillespie. “One of our mandates is to make this city a better place, and we do what we can.”
Calgary’s International Auto & Truck Show is completely not-for-profit, and has raised and distributed more than $10-million.
Most recently, $345,000 was raised at the 2014 Vehicles & Violins Gala. The money was split three ways and presented to the Canadian Cancer Society, Inn from the Cold and KidSport Calgary – each received $115,000.
Since the first Vehicles & Violins Gala in 2000, the CMDA has contributed more than $2.9-million to local charities from that event alone.
Vehicles & Violins offers an exclusive sneak preview of the auto show, allowing patrons an opportunity to get up close and personal with much of the newest sheet metal. They get to do this all while enjoying live music courtesy of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, enjoying international cuisine and tasting a selection of fine wines from the complimentary bar.
“This one night Gala has become an important event for local charities,” Gillespie says. “We couldn’t do it without the help of our generous sponsors, and whether it helps children get involved in sports, or it helps people off of the streets, we’re happy to contribute.”
Silent and live auction items add to the excitement of the evening. This year, one of the live auction items offered is the opportunity to be driven anywhere in the city on the morning of Monday, March 16 in Optimus Prime, the specially-built Western Star big rig used in the film Transformers: Age of Extinction.
“Whoever buys that package can have their child driven to school in Optimus Prime, or they can arrive to work in the truck – it’s up to the buyer,” said Cindy Clark, dealer principal of Sterling Western Star Trucks.
This is Optimus Prime’s only Canadian auto show date.
The selected initiatives to benefit from the 16th annual Vehicles & Violins Gala, which will take place on Tuesday, March 10 from 5:30 to 10 p.m. include Fresh Start Recovery, Kids Help Phone and the Make a Wish Foundation. A total for funds raised by the 2015 Vehicles & Violins event won’t be available until mid-year.
Tickets for the 2015 edition of Vehicles & Violins are still available. Call 403-974-0707, or visit www.autoshowcalgary.com for more details.
The auto show itself runs from March 11 to March 15 at the BMO Centre, Stampede Park. All 250,000 square feet of the halls will be filled with new vehicles from every major automaker. This year there will be more exotic and luxury automobiles on display than ever before, including for the very first time Rolls-Royce. Concept cars include Infiniti’s Q80 Inspiration and Cadillac’s Elmiraj – GM’s vision of a two-door grand coupe.
Formed in 1951 to help enhance the automotive industry in this city, the CMDA has dedicated itself to giving back. Currently, there are 77 member dealers, and while many of these retailers are actively involved in supporting their own select charities, they all back the philanthropic efforts of the CMDA.
“Several dealers volunteer to sit on our donations committee,” says Gillespie. “We meet every year in October and decide how we’ll divvy up the money to local charities.
“Whether it’s writing a cheque for $1,000 or handing over the $115,000 to each of the 2014 Gala charities — it’s all a very rewarding feeling.”
Greg Williams is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Have a column tip? Contact him at 403-287-1067, gregwilliams@shaw.ca, or visit gregwilliams.ca.
