Blog

Volunteers are an essential part of our community, and that is why we at Dimmitt have begun the Value Days Volunteer program.  This program encourages our associates to seek out charitable organizations within the community and devote an open day to charitable service.  Associates who seek out these opportunities to help those in need in a professional manner are able to receive a day’s pay for their efforts.  We hope this program takes off, and we look forward to seeing our associates volunteering throughout their communities! For more information about the opportunities for community improvement that you can find through the Dimmitt Automotive Group, please reach out to us!!

We understand that bad things can unexpectedly happen to good people.  Whether there is a medical emergency, a spouse who temporarily loses employment or a child with immediate special needs, we want to be able to help our associates with these financial burdens.  To do this, we here at Dimmitt have proudly opened up a “Sunshine Fund”.  This fund is supported entirely by the donations of our caring associates on a completely voluntary basis, and is used to support fellow employees through financial hardships brought on by unanticipated events.  We believe that our Sunshine Fund is just another step we have taken to support our mission which states, in part, that we will “improve the quality of life of our associates”.    We thank everyone who has taken the first step and offered to donate to such a compassionate cause. So far, the support for The Sunshine Fund within DAG has been phenomenal. Seeing our employees take the extra step to help one another is something we believe reflects our identity as a business. We're proud of our team!

The Beach Branch of All Children’s Hospital Guild, Inc.  presented the 49 th Annual Mrs. Santa Luncheon on Wednesday, December 5 th.  Kathleen Gibson and Tracey Ringstaff (pictured below) attended this joyous occasion and presented the organization with a $2,500.00 check.  Over 300 ladies enjoyed lunch and a fashion show at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, where Kathleen’s mother has been a member for over 20 years! Her father has played Santa in past holiday seasons. It was nice to see clients and friends of the Dimmitt Automotive Group actively present at this event- a great experience for a great cause!

Dimmitt Automotive Group was proud to help with the "Brittany & Friends Celebrity Pro-Am", hosted by LPGA golfer Brittany Lincicome, benefiting the First Tee of St. Petersburg Organization! The First Tee specializes in "Providing a learning environment and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf, while ensuring fair access for all children." http://www.thefirstteestpetersburg.org/club/scripts/public/public.asp Seen Below (top to bottom): The groups of Boxing Champion Winky Wright, LPGA golfer Moira Dunn, former MLB player John Kruk, LPGA golfer Val Skinner, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers player Cody Grimm.

We here at Dimmitt Automotive Group are PROUD of our team members for giving back this Christmas! Members of the DAG team helped to serve in excess of 350 men, women and children with the Homeless Emergency Project (HEP) in Clearwater.Team members assisted in providing and serving lunch for those in need- a rewarding and meaningful activity for all employees involved! Many thanks to all who volunteered and helped to make it a special day, and to the HEP for providing us with this opportunity. For any wishing to get involved, the HEP offers an excellent local volunteer opportunity! http://www.ethep.org/?page=volunteer The Mission of the Homeless Emergency Project: "Since 1986, our mission has been to provide homeless and very low-income individuals and families with housing, food, clothing and support services necessary to obtain self-sufficiency and improved quality of life.

Dimmitt was proud to be a sponsor for the 10th annual Charity Works Cup Challenge held on Thursday November 15th.  Charity Works is a non profit intermediary that aims to promote and enhance charitable giving.  This event was one way they helped raise funds for a host of charities, and we at Dimmitt did our part to help.  It was a great event with a great cause, and we had a blast! -

Dimmitt Automotive Group is proud to welcome back a key member of our Internet Sales Team, Rick Alonzo! Rick has overcome some trying health issues in recent months, and we could not be prouder of him and his full recovery.  All of us here at Dimmitt Automotive Group would like to acknowledge his dedication and hard work. Rick- you are an inspiration to all of us, sir! -DAG G

Dimmitt is proudly partnering with the Salvation Army and Toys For Tots to make this holiday season memorable for children in need. We began collecting donations on October 15th, and will continue to do so through December 1st at our Clearwater and Pinellas Park locations. Help us as we help those less fortunate and be sure to drop off donations today!

Dimmitt Cares is excited to help sponsor the upcoming BrewHaHa Halloween party taking place tonight, 8:00 pm to midnight.  We are proud to help raise funds to benefit the ChairScholars Foundation and the great work they do. More information is available at http://brewhaha.info/

Dimmitt Automotive Group is proud to partner with the American Cancer Society Road to Recovery Program, driving cancer patients to and from their treatments. Transportation should never prevent people from receiving crucial care. Dimmitt Automotive Group has joined the volunteers providing rides for those who need them most. John Fabriele, Sales Associate, shared the need for these volunteers in our community with the Dimmitt family. Our employees embraced the opportunity, Mr. Dimmitt dedicated a vehicle, and a partnership was formed. Several of our courtesy drivers, Joe Pesce, Bob Heinsen, Joe Saporito and Scott Struthers completed training and have been transporting patients since October 9, 2012. - -

The Dimmitt Automotive Group's commitment to LEED Silver Certification validates family's commitment to a better environment The Dimmitt Automotive Group’s Rolls-Royce, Bentley and McLaren showroom finishes Pinellas Park’s newest LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certified building.  The project recently was awarded an Aurora Award for Green Construction in the category for commercial/retail/office.  The beautiful Gandy Boulevard structure on the Dimmitt campus is a testament to the family’s commitment to save energy and honor the community. In speaking about the project, Richard Dimmitt said, “It’s been a passion of our family to preserve and protect our environment and its beautiful natural resources. The economic investment dedicated to undertaking such a project makes perfect sense when we consider the long-term impact for our community and for the legacy we leave to future generations. It’s with great humility that we accept this award for undertaking a process that was such a privilege to bring to fruition.” While building green was a priority for this project, operational costs were not the primary factor. The Dimmitt Automotive Group is a family owned business and has been rooted for nearly one hundred years in the communities they serve. Owners Richard and Doreen along with their sons, Rick and Peter, wanted to make certain that this building was a gift back to the community. Many of the achieved project features directly benefit the surrounding community as well as reduce energy consumption. The Dimmitt Automotive Group’s Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and McLaren showroom is the newest automotive showroom in Pinellas Park. The dealership represents product lines Bentley Showroom from Cadillac, Aston Martin, Land Rover, Bentley, McLaren, and Rolls-Royce. The building achieved its LEED Silver certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). It’s a national trend in the automotive industry to obtain this certification. The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) estimates about 1,000 dealerships are attempting to reduce their energy footprint by 10 percent and more are seeking the national standard of LEED certification. Suncoast AutoBuilders, Inc. of Clearwater was the design-builder for this luxury facility. Company President Thomas Strickland, and Senior Project Manager John Vrabec have each earned the designation of LEED Accredited Professional.  This project presented the unique challenge of not only coordinating the high-end level of finishes with the required approvals of Rolls-Royce, Bentley and McLaren, but also adhering to strict LEED construction execution procedures while integrating LEED-specified elements.  Suncoast has specialized in the design and construction of automotive dealership facilities since 1987, and recognizes the significant commitment made by the Dimmitt Automotive Group to pursue this prestigious certification. Drew Smith, President of Two Trails, Inc. said, “On average we see initial 5 – 8 percent upfront costs in obtaining a green certification. While many building owners are weary of more upfront costs, Richard and Doreen Dimmitt were able to see beyond the additional expense and realize the associated cost savings for years to come. In fact, the initial upfront costs will be recouped after 5 – 7 years and continue to return dividends on the building for years to come.” Front Entrance All building owners are looking to save money on operational costs. It makes common sense to save money in these areas. While many building owners are implementing energy saving techniques, many still do not opt to seek certification. Nevertheless, the certification adds value to the building and demonstrates a true commitment to the community as well. Two Trails was the independent third party consulting, certification and commissioning authority on the Dimmitt Automotive Group Building project. Categories comprising the LEED certification include: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, Innovation and Design, and Regional Priority. By analogy, obtaining a LEED certification is similar to an automobile passing a government safety test. Both “tests “and certification adds validation to the products and, in this case, verifies that the building has been built to national green standards. Receiving an Aurora Award is a great accomplishment that recognizes Dimmitt’s commitment to building a great facility. The Aurora Awards is a competitive award competition held during SEBC (Southeast Builders Conference).  Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) sponsors the Award competition; one of the largest associations of it’s kind.  The Aurora Award design competition is presented to outstanding builders, planners, architects, developers, designers, and interior merchandisers within a twelve state southeastern and eastern Caribbean region. The Dimmitt Automotive Group will be hosting a certification presentation at the new facility. Many of the local community leaders, owners, and project leads will be in attendance celebrating Pinellas Park’s newest LEED certified building. About Two Trails Inc. | Two Trails, Inc. is one of the nations premier Green Building Consulting firm established in 2001. We provide green consulting/commissioning services nationwide for commercial, residential, remodeling, and developments seeking to obtain LEED certification and/or LEED Commissioning by USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council), National Green Building Certification by NAHB Research Center, Energy Star by the U.S. Department of Energy, & Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) certifications. Contact Information: 
Two Trails Inc., Tom Rupp - Marketing & Communications Manager 4411 Bee Ridge Rd. #294, Sarasota, FL 34233, tom@ twotrails.com, Telephone 941.776.8680. TwoTrails.com About Dimmitt Automotive Group | Dimmitt Automotive Group has been serving our community since 1924.  We are committed to improve the quality of life for our associates, our guests, and the community through service, excellence and innovation. Contact Information:  Dimmitt Automotive Group Rolls-Royce, Bentley and McLaren 3255 Gandy Boulevard, Pinellas Park, FL 33781.  Telephone 727.824.8500.  dimmittstaging.wpengine.com About Suncoast Builders | Celebrating its 25 th Anniversary, Suncoast AutoBuilders, Inc. is a design-build firm that specializes in automobile dealership facilities, with over 300 projects completed across the United States.  We are a single source for all aspects of developing a commercial property, from initial concept and planning, through design, architectural/engineering of construction documents, permitting, LEED coordination and certification, and supervision of all phases of construction. Contact Information: Suncoast AutoBuilders, 5180 113 th Avenue North, Clearwater, FL 33760. Telephone 727.561.0764, www.suncoastservices.com.

On Saturday, July 28th, 2012, Dimmitt Automotive Group took part in the 1st Annual Abe Brown Legacy Golf Tournament, hosted by former Tampa Bay Buccaneer and Indianapolis Colt Anthony McFarland at Innisbrook Copperhead Golf Course.  Dimmitt took part as the hole-in-one sponsor. From left to right: Derrick Brooks, Kerven Dennis, Anthony McFarland, Tracey Ringstaff, Naaman Johnson Jr., Althea Morgan 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.