Special Olympics PEI has received a $19,485 donation from the Prince Edward Island Automobile Dealers Association (PEIADA). This year is the 36th year that Special Olympics PEI has been the charity of choice for the PEIADA. This year’s donation brings the cumulative total donated to Special Olympics PEI over the past 36 years to over $300,000.
The Prince Edward Island Automobile Dealers Association began supporting Special Olympics PEI in 1987, following the lead of its national body, the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA). 36 years later, the PEIADA still exclusively supports Special Olympics PEI as its charity of choice.
Each year the PEIADA holds the April Car Campaign, when Dealer Members remit to the PEIADA office, a sum of money for every new vehicle sold / leased during the month of April. This money goes towards a collective donation to Special Olympics PEI. This donation is coupled with the proceeds garnered from a live auction of several items at the PEIADA’s Annual Golf Tournament and Lobster / Beef Dinner.
Speaking about the partnership, and this year's generous donation, Lisa Doyle – MacBain, Executive Director of the PEI Automobile Dealers Association, was quoted as saying: “Special Olympics is a cause that we have valued for over 36 years. We are so pleased that with the support and participation of our Dealer Members and Associate Members in our April Car Campaign and our annual event Live Auction, we were able to make another large donation to assist the important, fun, and inclusive opportunities Special Olympics PEI provides to persons with intellectual disabilities.”
Speaking about the donation and the longstanding supporting of the PEIADA, Charity Sheehan, Executive Director of Special Olympics PEI said: “We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of the PEIADA. This donation will make a significant impact on our ability to provide sports programs, inclusive health, and athlete leadership opportunities for our Special Olympics athletes across the province."
New this year, the PEIADA invited Special Olympics PEI's golfers to join their Annual Golf Tournament. A foursome, made up of 2 Special Olympics golf athletes and 2 volunteers, took part in the Tournament. "In past years the PEIADA Dealers Members and Associate Members have only had the opportunity to meet and interact with one of our athletes at the Lobster / Beef Dinner. This year, having our golf athletes and volunteers play in the Tournament, was an incredible opportunity, not only to showcase the abilities of our athletes, but to connect with PEIADA Dealer Members and Associate Members on a whole new level. We are incredible thankful for this opportunity!" says Charity Sheehan.
