The Drive to Give Back
Leavens Automotive Group steps up to match all donations made on Giving Tuesday
“There’s something that just feels so good about giving back. Until you do it, you don’t really understand it. I’m not sure I understood it for years.”
That’s Chris Leavens, CEO of Leavens Automotive Group. Chris has spent his career driving and selling beautiful and powerful cars – everything from Volkswagens and Mazdas to Volvos and Chryslers. But it’s the power of giving that he’s focusing on this Giving Tuesday, November 29. Leavens’s company will match all gifts to St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation up to $10,000.
Chris also has a personal reason behind his support. In 2008 he was in a serious motor vehicle accident, spending more than a month in hospital. His journey included rehabilitation at Parkwood Hospital (now called Parkwood Institute). “You never know when you’re going to need health care,” he says. “We tend to take it for granted. But I can tell you from firsthand experience, when you need care, our hospitals are there, saving lives.”
Chris says giving back is “really important as a good corporate citizen.” The company contributes to a number of local charities, although he prefers to make his contributions without fanfare. “Giving is just so rewarding,” he says. “We have 150 employees and many of them have needed hospital care. They’re proud to be part of giving back. It’s just part of our culture.”
Funds raised on Giving Tuesday will support St. Joseph’s Season of Celebration campaign. This year, donations will fund new accessible wardrobes for each Veteran in St. Joseph’s care. These updated furnishings will make the hospital feel as welcoming, comfortable and safe as possible for these brave men and women – at Christmas and all through the year.
Chris says supporting St. Joseph's is simply “the right thing to do.” He adds, “We should all give when we can, especially when we think about the opportunity to better serve those who served our country.”
He encourages the community to donate as a way of giving back. He is also excited to help promote the campaign across his four dealerships in London: Leavens Volkswagen, Leavens Mazda, Leavens Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and Leavens Volvo.