Smith Chevrolet-Cadillac announced Friday (Aug. 15) an $11,000 donation to the Fort Smith Emergency Children’s Shelter.
The dealership donated $100 to the shelter for each new and used vehicle sold during July.
“Smith Chevrolet-Cadillac was proud to be partnered with the Children’s Emergency Shelter. Each and every employee of Smith was committed to this fund raising opportunity to help the children, who are experiencing a traumatic, life changing situation. We hope that with the additional funds raised we can help make this difficult time a little easier,”Bryan Penniman, general manager of Smith Chevrolet-Cadillac, said in a statement. “A special thank you goes out to each and every customer that purchased during this event! They truly made this a huge success and their purchase was more than just a vehicle purchase.”
Ashley Ahlert, advancement coordinator with the Children’s Emergency Shelter, said the dealership deal showed community support.
“This is a great community. We are thankful that the community shopped local and supported Smith Chevrolet, and in-turn Smith Chevrolet gave back to the community but donating a portion of their sales to us,” Ahlert said.
The Children’s Emergency Shelter of Fort Smith provides shelter and care to area children ages 6-17 who have been removed from the custody of their guardian by child welfare authorities. CES provides a home-like environment to these abused and neglected children until an alternate placement can be procured. The Shelter is licensed to house up to 24 children at a time, and as many as 300 children will walk through its doors each year.
“Last year the Children’s Emergency Shelter served 253 children. The money donated by Smith Chevrolet-Cadillac will allow us to move our mission forward and directly impact the children we serve” Ahlert said.
In 2013, 854 children entered the foster care system in Sebastian County. The Children’s Emergency Shelter serves all foster children throughout the state, primarily children in Sebastian, Crawford, Logan, Franklin, Yell, Scott, and Johnson Counties.