Driving toward a more inclusive community
Queensway Audi donates big to Best Buddies

On the heels of Audi Canada’s announcement of renewed support for the Best Buddies program, one local Audi dealer is gearing up to fundraise for the friendship program.

 “The cause is close to our heart,” said Karen Green, Director of Communications and Community Relations for Queensway Audi. “Our owner’s daughter has special needs, and when we heard Audi Canada was partnering with Best Buddies, we decided to put our efforts into supporting this great program.”
The staff at Queensway Audi recently collected $1000.00 to support Best Buddies Canada, and hope to raise more funds through the summer.

“We wanted to make a connection with our community, and we encourage our staff to do the same,” said Green. “Some of our staff was aware of the Best Buddies friendship program from their high school years and we see this as an opportunity to spread awareness about the program and its importance in the community.”

The initial donation of $500 was collected at a staff appreciation event, at which staff, family and other supporters paid $10 as an admission fee. The dealership is planning more fundraising events through the summer, with proceeds going to support Best Buddies.

On Tuesday, August 10th, Best Buddies staff and participants joined the group at Queensway Audi (1310 The Queensway, Toronto)  to participate in fundraising barbeque and accept the first donation cheque. That barbeque raised an additional $500 for the program.

Following the event, Queensway Audi announced it would be a Bronze Sponsor for the Audi Best Buddies Challenge, Toronto, donating an additional $5,000.

Audi Canada has provided support to the Best Buddies program for a number of years including the recently announced title sponsorship of the Audi Best Buddies Challenge, a premier running event on October 24th, 2010.

“We’re very appreciative for the donation from the staff and customers of Queensway Audi. It’s great when a business gives back to community. Audi Canada has been a great supporter of our program,” Steven Pinnock, Executive Director of Best Buddies Canada stated. “Our program has been very successful in Toronto. Best Buddies is a great way to promote inclusion and accommodation, and the support of Queensway Audi will help to ensure the continued success of the program.”