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The 2014 Gentile Foundation Classic, A Liberty Mutual Insurance Invitational Event, hosted by Gary Koch, was held on Friday, October 3rd, at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club on the famed Copperhead Course. The tournament raised money for The Gift of Adoption Fund & The Shelton Quarles IMPACT FOUNDATION. Participants enjoyed the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club which famously hosts the PGA’s Valspar Championship. The winning team was invited to play in the Liberty Mutual Invitational National Finals held at TPC Sawgrass in March. The Gentile Family Foundation host this tournament annually with the proceeds going to support local charities that provide assistance and financial support to children in need within the State of Florida. By playing in The Gentile Foundation Classic, players had the chance to win over $40,000 in gifts and prizes. Dimmitt Automotive Group was a proud sponsor of this event and would like to thank all who were involved with making this tournament a success. Visit their website for information on next year's event: http://www.birdeasepro.com/golfclassic [gallery columns="4" link="file" ids="286453,286454,286455,286456"]

Today, the Dimmitt family provided Flu Shots for all associates. As the first part of Dimmitt Automotive Group's mission statement suggests, the Dimmitt family cares for their associates so that they can care for the guests. Visit dimmitt.com/careers to view our current job openings.

Last week, Tampa Bay Fashion week was held at the Downtown Hilton in Tampa. Dimmitt Automotive Group sponsored this event and had an Aston Martin on display. The beneficiary for this event was Becca’s Closet. Becca’s Closet was created as a legacy to Rebecca Kirtman and the project she created in the Spring of 2003. Becca’s Closet donates formal attire to high school girl’s with financial needs who otherwise would not be able to attend their school’s military balls, homecomings and proms. Their mission is to continue Becca’s vision and dream of helping others. Becca passed away in a car accident in August 2003 when she was 16. Her parents have continued her dream and have collected and donated over 10,000 dresses. Her parents were at the fashion show and can be seen talking on stage in the image below. For more information on Becca's Closet, visit their website: http://www.beccascloset.org/ [gallery link="file" ids="286218,286216,286219,286217,286220,286221"]

On Friday, September 12th, Dimmitt Automotive Group hosted a Blood Drive at the Clearwater and St Petersburg locations. One person's donations has the ability to save the lives of 3 people. We invite any member of the community to stop by our next blood drive and donate. The service of OneBlood includes the Tampa Bay area, and surrounding Florida counties. OneBlood currently serves more than 200 hospitals and health care facilities. Thank you to the staff of OneBlood for helping us make a difference in the lives of others. Visit their website for more information: http://www.oneblood.org/

On Friday, September 12th, a group of associates from Dimmitt Automotive Group volunteered with Homeless Emergency Project in Clearwater, Florida. They completed landscaping and painting and enjoyed a lunch with homeless individuals. Giving back to the community is part of Dimmitt Automotive Group's mission. We are committed to serving the community and we invite everyone to join us. We appreciate HEP's work in the community and would like to invite everyone to visit their website and get involved. http://www.ethep.org/ [gallery link="file" ids="286188,286184,286190,286191,286189,286187,286186,286185"]

According to the Red Cross, about 92 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims die before reaching the hospital, but statistics prove that if more people knew CPR, more lives could be saved. Immediate CPR can double, or even triple, a victim’s chance of survival. On September 3rd, the American Red Cross trained eight of our associates to perform CPR/AED. These associates serve in various departments within our dealerships. This training is beneficial to our organization and to the community we serve. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure that allows the victims brain functions to be preserved until blood circulation and breathing are restored. Visit the American Red Cross official website for more information on CPR/AED training and for information on how you can get involved. http://www.redcross.org/

Last week, Dimmitt Automotive Group was excited to welcome Katie McGill, Executive Director of Dress for Success Tampa Bay. Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization offering services designed to help their clients find jobs and remain employed. Each Dress for Success client receives suits, purses and other items when they have an interview and can return when they find a job for more pieces. Clients can also receive assistance with Interview Skills and Resume Writing. The mission of Dress for Success Tampa Bay is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women to thrive in work and life. Dimmitt Automotive Group was honored that Katie took the time out of her busy schedule to speak to us. Her story inspired us all. We were able to collect clothing, shoes and purses from our associates to donate to Dress for Success. The photos are proof that Katie’s car was packed when she left! There are many opportunities to volunteer with Dress for Success. Opportunities include assisting someone with a mock interview, helping them selecting the right outfit for the interview and various other jobs at the Dress for Success Boutique. By volunteering your time, you can be a valuable ass et in helping someone enter the workforce. If you would like to donate clothing, shoes or purses, please visit Dress for Success’ website for more information: http://www.dressforsuccess.org/ [gallery link="file" ids="286123,286122,286121"]

On June 7th, the 6th Annual Anytime Fitness Golf Scramble was held at Lansbrook Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Florida. Dimmitt Automotive Group was proud to sponsor this event. This year, over 100 golfers helped raise $12,000 for two great organizations. The Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance, or FARA, and the Suncoast Animal League were the beneficiaries. FARA's mission is to marshal and focus the resources and relationships needed to cure FA by raising funds for research, promoting public awareness, and aligning scientists, patients, clinicians, government agencies, pharmaceutical companies and other organizations dedicated to curing FA and related diseases. Suncoast Animal League is a non-profit, no-kill animal rescue agency that takes in abandoned, abused, homeless and unwanted animals. We provide medical treatment, shelter, socialization and plenty of love to the animals while they wait for their forever home. Additionally, we provide specialized services for animals traumatized from previous experiences and – in some cases – provide temporary foster care in a home setting for those animals in need of more intense, hands-on care. Suncoast Animal League also counsels existing pet owners in solving common pet problems so that more animals are not abandoned or taken to shelters. For more information on the organizations and Golf Scramble, please visit their websites: Anytime Fitness Golf Scramble Suncoast Animal League FARA [gallery columns="4" link="file" ids="286103,286106,286107,286108"]

Dimmitt Automotive Group was proud to sponsor the 3 rd Annual Live the Brown Legacy Golf Tournament, hosted by former Tampa Bay Buccaneer and Indianapolis Colt, Anthony “Booger” McFarland, at the Innisbrook Golf Course.  We were honored to be a part of such a great event and we are happy we were able to bring out some of the lovely cars in the Cadillac line-up, including the 2015 Cadillac Escalade for the Cadillac Cup Hole-In-One.  Players had the opportunity to aim for a hole-in-one on the 15 th Hole and hope to make it and win a three year lease on a Cadillac of their choice. Anthony McFarland is well-known around the area as a former fixture on the menacing defenses of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a heralded defensive tackle who won a Super Bowl with the Bucs in 2003 and earned a second one with the Indianapolis Colts in 2007. Anthony hails from Winnsboro, La. and graduated from Louisiana State University in 1999 with a degree in business management. He was drafted that same year in the first round (15th pick overall) by the Bucs and played for legendary head coaches Tony Dungy and Jon Gruden in Tampa Bay, then was reunited with Dungy again in Indianapolis. After nine seasons in the NFL, he retired and transitioned into broadcasting. He co-hosted a player radio show with Steve Duemig from 2001-2003 on WDAE-620, and guest-hosted the Best Damn Sports Show, among other broadcasting stints. For over 35 years, Abe Brown Ministries has been developing programs to enable people at risk, their spouses, and their children to achieve productive and spiritually fulfilling lives. They believe that people must be changed from the inside out becoming liberated from spiritual incarceration. When the individuals comprising the community and state are transformed, the community and state collectively will be transformed. Ultimately all residents, businesses, and others benefit from a safe, secure, and productive society. Please visit their website and learn how you can help. [gallery link="file" ids="286088,286087,286086,286085,286084,286083"]

The Iconic Women Vision Awards were held on Wednesday, May 19th, at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park. Dimmitt Automotive Group was proud to this event which highlighted women with vision in the community. The sold out event had many activities beyond the awards ceremony for attendees to take part in, including visiting the 35 business vendors that were present. Dara Richardson, the Keynote Speaker who is known for her success in the business world, presented an interesting speech for everyone at the luncheon. Kathleen Doyle-Gibson and Laura Hovland represented Dimmitt Cadillac and displayed two 2014 Cadillac's. Kathleen and Laura answered questions and interacted with guests. Both enjoyed their time at the event and are excited for next year. Visit www.stpete.com/iconic2014 for information on the event.

On Thursday, May 15 th, 2014, a group of volunteers from the Dimmitt Automotive Group volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House in Downtown St. Pete. Led by our Captain, Crista Petruccelli, the Dimmitt Team arrived in the afternoon to prepare dinner and dessert for about 20 families. Kathleen Doyle-Gibson, Kelly Flynn, Marianne Vicari, Michelle Adkins, Andrea Wagner, Hal Dilworth and Tom McQueen all rallied together to serve dinner to the families that were staying at the Ronald McDonald house. The Dimmitt team was given the opportunity to meet the families they served, which, proved to be an inspirational experience. “If we, for even one small moment, helped ease the pain of a parent, grandparent or sibling of a sick child,” said Marianne Vicari,”then everything we did was well worth it.” Ronald McDonald House of Tampa Bay provides a "home-away-from-home" for families with children receiving medical treatment in bay area hospitals. In 2013 they cared for 1,683 families who came from over 35 states and 11 countries to stay an average of 8 days while their child received treatment in one of the bay area hospitals. The Dimmitt Team will cherish their experience and are excited to return again soon. For more information on the Ronald McDonald House and to find out how you can get involved please visit: www.rmhc.org/

Guests enjoy monopoly with friends and family. On Saturday, May 10th, the annual Monopoly Night was held at the Belleair Country Club. Filled with food, auctions, prizes and even a real 'jail', it proves to be a night to remember. Guest's competed in a 90 minute monopoly game to be named the top player at their table and win some great prizes. This event benefits Charity Works Inc which is a non-profit organization founded in 1996. Charity Works provides purchasing advisory services to numerous charities, schools and nonprofit entities. It also provides wellnes-medical aid packs to benefit at risk children and economically disadvantaged individuals as well as a job skills training program for displaced workers. Dimmitt Automotive Group was proud to be apart of this great event. We would like to thank everyone involved as well as Charity Works Inc for improving our community. We would like to encourage everyone to visit Charity Work's Website and get involved with their mission to help those in need. Visit their website here: http://www.charityworks.org/