Its charitable arm, MileOneCares, focuses on transportation issues and programs that strengthen communities, from helping the nonprofit Red Devils get breast cancer patients to medical appointments, to shuttling Boys and Girls Club children to field trips.
Headquartered in Maryland, MileOne is a network of dealerships that operate in five states. Annually, they give more than $2 million in grants. Among the groups they support are the Maryland Food Bank and the American Cancer Society.
Most of their funding through MileOneCares goes toward transportation initiatives that impact people of all ages — from infants to teens to adults.
“We are dedicated to enhancing the communities where we live and work, particularly in the area of transportation safety,” said Michael Fader, vice president of MileOne Autogroup.
MileOne’s safety efforts include donating vehicles and funds to DRIVE SMART, a program that teaches teens about the dangers of distracted driving. DRIVE SMART is based in Virginia, where it reaches more teens than in Maryland. Here, a couple of thousand kids a year are exposed to the program. MileOne is helping to expand the program here through a donation to fund a full-time DRIVE SMART position for Maryland, and bring the program’s simulator to more Maryland high schools.
”We feel very strongly about keeping passengers safe,” said MileOne Chief Giving Officer Amanda Kodeck. One of the programs they're most proud of involves protecting newborns and children from being injured in the event of a car accident.
Each month, through a pre-registration program, MileOneCares gives away up to 250 infant car seats to Maryland families to keep babies safe.
”We’re literally trying to save lives through this program,” Kodeck said.
The network of car dealerships donates 20 vehicles per year to Vehicles for Change, a multi-prong program that helps people become more self-sufficient. MileOne’s vehicles go to people in need so they have more options for where they work and study, and helps them take care of their families because they can move about far more efficiently than relying on the local bus routes. Vehicles for Change also trains people in auto mechanics, and MileOne has hired some of those newly-trained mechanics.
MileOneCares also provides vehicle grants to organizations working to improve the lives of patients. Beneficiaries include the Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House to transport patients to appointments.
One of MileOne’s newer programs helps to strengthen employees’ connections to charities. Employees who have an affiliation with a nonprofit can nominate the organization to receive up to $500 per employee. They also off er an employee portal for volunteer opportunities.
”We’re trying to create a culture of philanthropy, team building and just expose our employees to giving back, and it also allows them to put their name on that gift,” Kodeck said.
Original article from the Baltimore Business Journal.