Chicago Automobile Trade Association Donates $1,500 to the Highland Park Shooting Response Fund through Chicagoland Dealers Care Program

Chicago Automobile Trade Association Donates $1,500 to the Highland Park Shooting Response Fund through Chicagoland Dealers Care Program

November 17, 2022 09:00 AM

 This week the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) matched Gregory Hyundai Genesis’ dealership donation of $1,500 to the Highland Park Community Foundation’s July 4th Shooting Fund. The contribution was made possible by the CATA’s Chicagoland Dealers Care initiative in which the CATA matches an area new-car dealer’s donation to a charity of their choice. 

 The check presentation was held at Gregory Hyundai Genesis in Highland Park and included CATA President David Sloan; Gregory Auto Group President Gregory Mauro alongside representatives from Gregory Hyundai Genesis; Highland Park Community Foundation Executive Director Terri Olian; and Highland Park Councilmember Annette Lidawer.

 This donation to the Response Fund is not the first from Mauro. Gregory Auto Group hosted a community block party and blood drive in August at Gregory Hyundai Genesis where all proceeds benefited the Fund. Plans are already underway to make this an annual event. 

 “I’ve been a part of the Highland Park community for over 40 years and when this tragedy struck our community I knew immediately I needed to do something. As a local business owner, I had to do something,” said Mauro. “The work that the Highland Park Community Foundation is doing is crucial to helping the healing process and I’m glad to support that however I can. I am grateful for the CATA’s Chicagoland Dealers Care program as it helped to extend my donation just that much further for this wonderful organization.” 

 The Highland Park Community Foundation, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, sprang into action in July after the horrific shooting during the town’s 4th of July parade and established the July 4th Highland Park Shooting Repsonse Fund to support the victims and survivors of the mass shooting. The Fund reached a total of $5.8 million and was dispersed to victims, families of the deceased, those who were injured, and local nonprofits supporting victims this past October. When the Fund closed, the Highland Park Community Foundation immediately opened the July 4th Recovery Fund to address continuning mental health needs of the community stemming from the shooting.  

 “Donations poured in from across the country, and even overseas, but the way our local businesses, like Gregory Auto Group, immediately stepped up to provide support, without hesitation, was incredible,” said Olian. “There is still so much work to be done and continued support needed. Thank you to Greg and the CATA for their generous donation.” 

 Because new-car dealerships are closely woven into the fabric of their local communities, many individuals and organizations turn to dealers in a time of need. The CATA has been a longtime supporter of local nonprofit organizations like the Highland Park Community Foundation. Since its inception in 2008, the grassroots Chicagoland Dealers Care program has donated more than $123,500 to local charitable organizations. Additionally, since 1992, the association has raised more than $58 million for Chicago-area charities during the annual First Look for Charity black-tie event, traditionally held the evening before the Chicago Auto Show opens to the public.  

 “The CATA’s Chicagoland Dealers Care program not only helps stretch our member’s donation dollars for wonderful organizations like this, but it also shines a spotlight on new-car dealers’ positive impact within their communities,” said CATA Chairman JC Phelan. “We applaud local dealers like Gregory Hyundai Genesis for their very generous contributions to support their community.”  

 For more details on the Chicagoland Dealers Care program, please visit www.ChicagolandDealersCare.com. To learn more about the Highland Park Community Foundation, please visit www.hpcfil.org, and to learn specifically about the July 4th Response Fund, please visit july4fund.org.