NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Louis A. Vitantonio, Jr.
Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association
440.746.1500
Auto Dealers Double the Size of Annual Scholarship Program
20 scholarships awarded to dealership employees and their dependents
Brecksville, OH (July 22, 2010) – The Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association (GCADA) increased its annual scholarship program for dealership employees and their children, actually doubling the number of scholarships given out this year.
“Based on the recommendations of the GCADA Board and the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers' Educational Assistance Foundation, Inc., I am proud to announce the awarding of 20 $1,000.00 scholarships to deserving students for the 2010 to 2011 academic year,” said Lou Vitantonio, Jr., president of the GCADA.
This marks the 19th consecutive year the GCADA has awarded scholarships to dealership employees and their children. In the past, only ten $1,000 scholarships were available. “The winners were chosen from a strong competition of applicants comprised of dependents of member dealership employees or an actual employee of the dealership,” Vitantonio added. “Our members understand the importance of their employees and families to each dealership. Hopefully, this will help dealership employees defray some of the costs of higher education.”
Prior to opening the competition up earlier this year, the GCADA Board decided to double the size of the competition. “At our last board meeting, when we were discussing it, we all talked about how many well deserving applicants we get each year,” said Marc Jacobson, president of the Jay Automotive Group and a member of the GCADA board. “The funds were available, so we thought we’d put them to good use.”
Winners were chosen based on a combination of points awarded for an individual essay written by each applicant as well as points assigned for grade point averages and other scholastic activities. The scholarships are awarded based solely on the individual applicant’s composite scores. It’s also possible that one dealership can receive multiple scholarship awards.
“Scholarships winners don’t have to go on to work in a dealership,” added Vitantonio. “It would be nice if they do, but this program is really all about helping out employees and their families.”
This year, Don Tester Ford Lincoln Mercury received two scholarships for two of its employees’ children. Other dealerships with winners this year include: Jim’s Trailer Sales, Grafton, OH; Liberty Ford Southwest, Brunswick, OH; Moore’s RV, Inc., North Ridgeville, OH; Mazda-Saab of Bedford; Ken Ganley Nissan, Medina, OH; Pat O’Brien Chevrolet; Doug Chevrolet in Akron; Waikem Ford, Massillon, OH; Klaben Ford, Lincoln Mercury, Kent, OH; Ganley East, Wickliffe, OH; Fred Martin Superstore, Barberton, OH; Crown Ford Lincoln Mercury, Warren, OH; Preston Superstore, Burton, OH; Nick Abraham Automall, Elyria, OH; The Jay Auto Group, Bedford, OH; Cascade Auto Group, Cuyahoga Falls, OH; and Spitzer Cadillac.
About the GCADA
The Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers' Association (GCADA) has served the retail-automobile industry and community with integrity and distinction since 1915. Today, located in Brecksville, Ohio, GCADA represents 250 franchised motor vehicle dealers, which includes new-car, truck, motorcycle and RV dealers in a 21-county region of northern Ohio along the Lake Erie shore and beyond. More information on the GCADA can be found at www.gcada.org.
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