Special Olympics PEI has received a $20,000 donation from the Prince Edward Island Automobile Dealers Association (PEIADA).  This generous donation comes from the PEIADA’s April Car Campaign, which took place this year, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The April Car Campaign sees Dealer Members remit to the PEIADA office, a sum of money for every new vehicle sold/leased during the month of April.

PEIADA began supporting Special Olympics in 1987, following the lead of its national body, the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA). Thirty-four years later, PEIADA still exclusively supports Special Olympics P.E.I. as its charity of choice. Cumulatively over the past thirty-four years, PEIADA has donated over $247,000 to Special Olympics PEI.

"Despite the challenges of COVID-19, our Dealer Members wanted to proceed with our April Car Campaign.  Topped up by a generous donation from our national body, CADA, and a decision by our provincial association executive members, we are delighted to be able to help SOPEI again, especially during a time when their fundraising events were curtailed" said Lisa Doyle – MacBain, Executive Director of the PEI Automobile Dealers Association.  

Speaking about the donation and reflecting on the thirty-four-year partnership, Charity Sheehan, Executive Director of Special Olympics PEI offered sincere thanks, saying “the last 18 months have been exceptionally challenging for our athletes, Islanders with an intellectual disability. Having the support of our longtime partners, such as PEIADA, has been vital in ensuring that we are able to continue offering programming to our athletes, be that virtual or in person.”