Getting into the holiday spirit means more than pulling out the decorations – it means coming together as a community and acting on the spirit of goodwill that fills hearts and minds this time of year. Across the country, Mazda dealerships channeled this energy into meaningful action to ensure families, children, and neighbors have what they need to thrive.
Bakersfield Mazda in California partnered with the Bakersfield Police Officers Association for its annual "Season of Solidarity" drive. This December tradition provides toys and holiday dinners to underprivileged families and at-risk youth while also strengthening the bond between local officers and the community they serve. The dealership also joined forces with the Kern County Department of Human Services’ Holiday Cottage program to fulfill wish lists for more than 800 children in foster care. These gifts and donated meals are tangible reminders that someone cares. Showing up for one another creates relationships that last well beyond the holiday season and knits us closer together as neighbors.
“We are deeply grateful to Mazda for generously sponsoring our [efforts] this year. Thanks to their support, we were able to share our mission across six local radio stations, inspiring our community to donate gifts and bring joy to children in foster care,” said Kristy Torres, Holiday Cottage Program Manager. “Because of this incredible outreach and community response, we were able to grant 875 holiday wishes – making this season brighter for so many deserving foster children.”
The spirit of giving takes many forms. In Minnesota, Eich Mazda employees rolled up their sleeves during a food packing event with The Outreach Program of Brainerd Lakes, a nonprofit dedicated to feeding families in Minnesota and beyond. Employees assembled more than 8,600 meal packages for students and their families who are facing food insecurity. The program seeks to ensure no child goes hungry – especially during a time when school meal programs are paused and students may not have another reliable source of food.
“Not everyone has a full cupboard. We are thankful to [the] crew at Eich Motors for creating a culture of community within their organization,” said Shawn Hansen, Executive Director of The Outreach Program of Brainerd Lakes.
In Baltimore, Heritage Mazda Catonsville, part of MileOne Auto Group, helped address the essential needs of its community's youngest residents with the nonprofit ShareBaby Inc. ShareBaby works to address the unmet needs of young children in Baltimore through the distribution of essential items. The team packed 250 Toddler Bedtime Bags filled with books and toiletry items for families with small children. This partnership exemplifies how meeting basic needs – diapers, hygiene products, comfort items – creates a foundation to help families thrive as they move forward with dignity.
“Thanks to the Heritage Mazda Catonsville staff, we were able to provide essential bedtime items for Baltimore families. Going to work and school or daycare is hard on families and helping them to end the day well, together, creates lasting memories, and supports excellent physical and sleep hygiene,” said Nadya Dutchin, ShareBaby Inc. executive director. “ShareBaby was able to serve our community with the help of Heritage Mazda of Catonsville – all of us at ShareBaby are grateful for their dedicated partnership.”
In partnership with the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation, Pacifico Mazda hosted a winter coat distribution event for Philadelphia children. Since 2008, the dealership has provided nearly 3,000 coats, and this year alone, the Pacifico Mazda team donated over 160 more. When temperatures drop, coats aren't luxuries – they're necessities that keep kids warm, healthy, and ready to face each day.
“Over the last 17 years, the New Coat program has been an important part of Pacifico Mazda’s commitment to our community. Having grown up attending the event, it’s meaningful to now be involved as part of the dealership,” said Dari Pacifico Shore, marketing manager at Pacifico Mazda. “The program reflects our belief that supporting local families goes beyond a single day and creates lasting connections throughout the year.”
“From the start of our program in 2008 till now, Pacifico Auto Group remains one of our strongest and most dedicated Driving Away the Cold Participating Dealers,” said Mike Gempp, president of the Auto Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia. “They have redefined what it means to be a true community partner as a local auto dealer. We are honored to have them as one of our own here in Philly.”
Seasonal efforts like these, that recognize a unique community need and fill the gaps accordingly, are true examples of Be Moved in action. When we show up for our communities, we all move forward together. Small acts don't stay small. They ripple outward, creating connection and momentum that carries individuals forward – through the holidays, into the new year and beyond. Real change isn't built in a single moment. It's built together, one meal, one coat, one act of kindness at a time. Thank you to our dealers and employees who take this to heart and are taking action this holiday season.
Pacifico Mazda donates 160+ winter coats to kids in need this winter.
