Auto group teams with nonprofit to build assistive ramps as a community outreach
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Automotive sales are all about enabling people to get where they want to go. For Chariot Auto Group that long has meant selling cars, trucks, and SUVs. But, for some people, just getting to their vehicles can be a problem.
Earlier this year, Chariot personnel did their part to address those mobility issues as well. Groups of employees volunteered to build assistive ramps in conjunction with SAWS – Servants At Work – a nonprofit dedicated to such builds in service to the community.
The partnership began when Chariot’s CEO Rex Gingerich ran into SAWS founder Bob Hill at a local faith gathering.
“I was at Huddle, a men’s prayer group, and that’s where I met Bob,” said Gingerich. “He motioned me over, and after Huddle, we chatted. He told me about SAWS because I’d never heard about it.
“I told him, ‘It’s interesting that you bring this up. We have Chariot Serves, and we encourage and pay for our employees to give back and serve. So, it’s a natural fit.’”
Gingerich connected Hill with people inside and outside of the company, who arranged the first of Chariot’s builds. One of those people was Miranda Armstrong, Group Marketing Specialist at Chariot. She ran with the idea.
“Bob got a hold of me and asked, ‘Do you want to build a ramp?’ said Armstrong. “And I was like, absolutely! SAWS helps those who can’t really afford to get ramps built, those specifically in need. It’s just really cool to see people come together and build those ramps because they’re needed.
“People can’t get in and out of their house alone or without help. So, just being able to kind of help build a ramp is great.”
Armstrong said that Chariot has been involved in three ramp construction projects to date, and the plan is to participate in more builds next spring, including one in Tipton so that Chariot’s Academy Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram may participate. However, employees from any of Chariot’s four dealerships may participate at any of the builds.
“We’ve had anywhere from five to seven people show up,” said Armstrong. “You can bring your own tools. You don’t have to bring your own tools. You don’t have to know how to build a ramp. Just do it.
“Everyone who’s done it has loved it. They come up and they’re like, ‘When’s the next one?’ It’s nice being able to serve our community.”
This effort is just one of many that fall under the Chariot Serves umbrella. It is the charitable arm of the company, and through it the community is supported by a variety of means.
“We’re charitably minded and try to give back and get involved,” said Gingerich. “We’ve had a real intense push for last four or five years through Chariot Serves. I have a belief, and I think many people here share in that belief, that as we serve and give back to people, it helps us to become the best version of ourselves.
“We do it to help others, but in the end, you really help yourself. And as we become better, our communities become better. We help create a better place to be.”