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It’s Beginning to Sound a Lot Like Christmas As much as tinsel and candy canes, the familiar ringing of Salvation Army bells outside of the grocery store has become a holiday tradition. No doubt you recognize the familiar red aprons and red kettles, along with the cheerful sound of a ringing bell. From November 8 th through December 24 th, volunteers will be out collecting funds for the Salvation Army. Funds donated to the Salvation Army go to support their various community-serving programs, like housing assistance and food shelves. The Salvation Army does all that they can to help the community in times of need. Their motto is “Doing the most good” with good reason. Ringing the Bell for a Great Cause Volunteers can sign up to ring the Salvation Army bell in shifts of two or more hours at a time. This year, Dimmitt Automotive signed up and collected funds on December 10 th for five hours. It was great fun, and even greater to see a full kettle at the end of the evening. It was truly heartwarming to see parents teaching their young children how to donate. Thank you to everyone who came out to volunteer, and thank you to our friends within the community who donated and made our night a success!

A Local Hero Somewhere out there, someone in the Tampa Bay area is a hero. Somewhere out there, someone in the Tampa Bay area donated 10,000 turkeys to The Salvation Army’s annual Thanksgiving food drive. Anonymously. Pass the Turkey, Please For the last 10 years, Dimmitt Automotive has helped the Salvation Army to give away turkeys to families in need for the holidays. This year, they had a hefty job. A few days before Thanksgiving, associates from Dimmitt Automotive – along with more volunteers from the public directed by The Salvation Army – gathered in Clearwater. They helped to pass out some of the 10,000 turkeys donated to the cause by an anonymous donor. Thanks to The Salvation Army’s efforts, to the volunteers on the ground, and to that anonymous hero, 10,000 families got a turkey dinner for Thanksgiving. We are so proud of our associates for showing up and supporting our greater community. We can’t wait to do it again next year! [gallery ids="304853,304852,304851,304850,304849,304848,304847,304846,304845,304844,304843"]

Dancing Through the Decades Dancing is good for the soul. It’s also good for the community. Dimmitt Automotive was thrilled to sponsor Dancing Through the Decades, the Abilities Guild’s Annual Gala. Each year, the Gala raises funds to benefit military veterans with disabilities. Attendees to the Gala enjoyed cocktails, a silent auction, a delicious beef-tenderloin dinner, and, of course, dancing. Dancing for Good Every year, veterans struggle to find support and sustainable employment. Warrior Bridge serves disabled veterans as they seek employment, self-sufficiency, and an improved quality of life. “One-hundred percent of every dollar raised tonight benefits the Warrior Bridge Veterans Mall,” Martino said proudly, “which recently served its 1,900th formerly homeless servicemember.” For the second year in a row, the Abilities Guild sold out their event and broke their fundraising record. This year, they netted a whopping $35,000. That’s a lot of good for the greater community. Dimmitt Cares Once again, Dimmitt Automotive was proud to be a part of something great for the community. We say that we care, and we deliver. A heartfelt “thank you” goes out to the Abilities Guild, the Warrior Bridge, and everyone who showed up to make the event a success. We can’t wait until next year! [gallery ids="304839,304838,304837,304836"]

It’s Time to Say Thank You It’s time to say thank you. Thank you to all of the service members who have served this country. Thank you for your daily sacrifices in the name of freedom. Dimmitt Automotive Group proudly observed Veterans Day the same way that we do every year, with a complimentary luncheon to honor and celebrate veterans. We invited veterans and their families to come to the Cadillac Showroom in Clearwater and to the Aston Martin Showroom in St. Petersburg. And come they did. At the Aston Martin Showroom, we served 100. In Clearwater, we hosted 180. All branches of service were represented. Service members were invited to stand and be recognized. Their numbers included employees, family members, and dear friends. Veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, from Vietnam, and even from World War II. A Day of Honor Veterans Day is a day to honor those who have served this great country honorably, during war and peacetime. Unlike Memorial Day, when we honor those service members who died in the service to our country, Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans, living or deceased. It’s a way that we can show our troops, past and present, that we appreciate their service. A Touching Tribute Dimmitt Automotive CEO Scott Larguier presented the following touching invocation: Heavenly Father, we ask your Blessings on all who gather here today to celebrate the lives of the many courageous men and women who gave their youth, their dedication, and their energy to protect and defend this great nation. From the training fields to the battlefields, by air, land and sea, so many true patriots, armed with an immense enthusiasm for freedom, set out for the fronts of Normandy and the European theatre, the Pacific, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Iraq, Afghanistan, our own borders and coastlines and other places throughout the world to keep peace and to guard the inalienable rights of liberty for all people. On this Veterans Day, we remember their sacrifices and ask Your blessings on them and their families that they so selflessly left behind during their service. May we always hold in our hearts love and compassion for these defenders of our freedom. We pray also for the leaders of our nation. May they seek to find solutions to the unenviable task of creating a peaceful world, while inviting young men and women to serve their countries in a safe and a politically supportive arena. Instill in the hearts and minds of our young people the knowledge that love of country is honorable and admirable. May they be given the wisdom to value the sacrifices made by their forefathers and the strength to emulate their mission of universal peace. On all of us gathered here today, we ask Your favor, grace, and a grateful heart, Lord. May we enjoy the peace that You intended in a world filled with understanding, hope, and promise. We ask this through Your son, Jesus, Amen. At Dimmitt Automotive, we have a history of honoring service. Engaging in the community, acknowledging those who go above and beyond the call of duty, and doing good for others are core values here. We look forward to continuing that tradition in the years to come. And to all of the service members and their families, thank you. [gallery ids="304735,304734,304733,304732,304731,304730,304729,304728,304720,304721,304722,304723,304724,304725,304726,304727,304719,304718,304717,304716,304715,304714,304713,304712"]

Every quarter, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office holds a Swearing-In Ceremony. New deputies are sworn in, retiring employees from the Sheriff’s Office are acknowledged, and one employee in particular is chosen for the Audi Wesley Chapel Servant Leadership Award. Audi Wesley Chapel has a history of supporting the hard work of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. We’re grateful for the opportunity to engage in the community. And most of all, we’re grateful for the service provided by the men and women of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. It isn’t easy to earn the Audi Wesley Chapel Servant Leadership Award. In order to be eligible, an employee, sworn or civilian, must have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Nominees must have demonstrated leadership and selflessness. They must have performed some act that puts others before themselves. We would like to thank all of this quarter’s nominees—and congratulate the winner—of the Audi Wesley Chapel Servant Leadership Award. Thank you for your service, for your dedication, and for your leadership. We’re happy to acknowledge you as being a positive force in our community. Thank you for all that you do! [gallery ids="304709,304710,304754,304755"]

Audi Wesley Chapel had a great time attending the Academy at the Lakes Homecoming game on Friday, October 19 th! Wildcat supporters enjoyed a pre-game tailgate party with a variety of fun activities including BBQ, face painting, and performances by the Wildcats cheerleaders. Academy at the Lakes’ own Pep Band supplied the music to get everyone in the cheering mood. The Wildcats played a great game against Faith Christian Academy and won their 14 th game in a row. Of course, Audi brought some all-stars of their own to the festivities. Check out our gallery below to see samples of our stunning lineup. As always, we would like to say thank you to everyone who came out and made the night a success. Go Wildcats! [gallery ids="304677,304676,304675"]

Dimmitt Automotive Group had a blast supporting Heaven on Earth for Veterans at the sixth annual Tierra Verde Octoberfest this past Saturday. The festival took place October 20 th. Dimmitt Automotive, together with other local businesses, sponsored the event to benefit the nonprofit organization Heaven on Earth for Veterans, Inc. Based in St. Pete Beach, Heaven on Earth for Veterans, Inc. has provided living spaces for veterans in need since 2013. They pride themselves on being “a soft place for veterans in need to land.” For some, the transition from military life to civilian can prove difficult to manage. Heaven on Earth for Veterans has a long-term goal to assure that no veterans will be homeless. Along with a stunning display of Dimmitt inventory, Oktoberfest attendees enjoyed live music, a raffle, art market, dunk booth, and some great German food. Thanks to everyone who came out and made Tierra Verde’s Oktoberfest a success. [gallery ids="304597,304592,304593,304594,304595,304596"]

Audi Wesley Chapel had a great time sponsoring the 18th Annual Pasco Education Foundation Golf Classic on Friday, October 19 th! Golfers gathered at the beautiful Lake Jovita Golf Country Club to take part in the annual golf tournament (and, of course, to see some gorgeous Audi display vehicles brought out for the occasion). The Pasco Education Foundation has been serving the Pasco County public school system for almost 30 years. Thanks to a combined effort from committed individuals, businesses, organizations, and to events like the annual golf classic, the Pasco Education Foundation has been able to disburse nearly $1 million every year to Pasco public schools. The charity funds creative teaching grants, scholarships, staff development, and educational materials for students and staff of Pasco County Schools. Audi Wesley Chapel is happy to support our local school systems and the charities that make our future brighter. Thanks to everyone for coming out, and we’ll see you next time! [gallery link="file" columns="5" ids="304578,304579,304580,304581"]

Last Thursday, October 11, 2018, Dimmitt hosted Festival of Speed’s Wheels, Watches, and Whiskey event. A fabulous display of exotic cars, timepieces, and luxury brands such at Patek Philippe, Rolex, Breathing, Cartier, Panerai, and Omega were presented inside of our ultra-luxury showroom in St. Petersburg. Some of the incredible makes on display included Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, Maserati, Ferrari, and Aston Martin. Everyone enjoyed a wine and spirit tasting featuring over 60 wines and spirits, and to add to the excitement, there was a live auction featuring different wines and luxury items. One-hundred percent of the auction’s proceeds went directly to Kids Beating Cancer, a charity that serves children diagnosed with leukemia, cancer, and 80 other malignant and non-malignant life threatening diseases. Removing barriers and burdens placed on families that limit their ability to access stem cell transplantation, the best and only hope for a cure for their child is the goal Kids Beating Cancer accomplishes every day. You can learn more on their site, www.kidsbeatingcancer.com. Dimmitt is extremely grateful for everyone who attended the event as well as those who supported the goals of Kids Beating Cancer! [gallery link="file" columns="5" ids="304489,304490,304491,304492,304493,304494,304495,304496,304497,304498,304499,304500,304501,304502,304503,304504,304505,304506,304507,304508,304509,304510,304511,304512,304513,304514,304515,304516,304517,304518,304519,304520,304521,304522,304523,304524,304525,304526,304527,304528,304529,304530,304531,304532,304533,304534,304535,304536,304537,304538,304539,304540,304541,304542,304543,304544,304545,304546,304547,304548,304549,304550,304551,304552,304553,304554,304555,304556,304557,304558,304559"]

Dimmitt Automotive Group is proud to participate in the Florida Hope Scholarship Program. The program provides private school tuition for student victims of bullying and violence. Bullying is a major problem faced by students today. A whopping 70% of young people have reported witnessing bullying. And almost a third of our nation’s students have reported experiencing bullying or violence in school. But for many families, transferring their child to a private school isn’t an option. In 2018, the Florida Legislature launched a program to support those victims. And Dimmitt Automotive proudly signed up to participate. Now, when a student in public school experiences bullying or violence at school, the child’s family can go to the Florida Department of Education for help. The Hope Scholarship will help to transfer the student to a private school. Any student from kindergarten through 12 th grade who has experienced bullying is eligible. The Hope Scholarship Program is not based on financial need. When you purchase a vehicle at Dimmitt Automotive locations, you can be a part of the solution. At the time of sale, let us know that you would like to give a portion of your sales tax to the fund. Choosing to help costs nothing. There aren't any additional fees. As always, Dimmitt Automotive group is grateful for the opportunity to be a positive part of the community.

Dimmitt Automotive was proud to sponsor the Pinellas County Alzheimer’s Association’s 2018 Charity Golf Tournament in September. About 80 golfers gathered at the beautiful Innisbrook Copperhead Golf Course to raise money in the fight against Alzheimer’s Disease, which affects 1 in 3 seniors in the United States. Dimmitt Automotive treated the participants and volunteers to a Bentley experience at the entrance. Also, we offered a gorgeous Cadillac as a prize to anyone who could hit a hole in one. (No winners these year—keep training, golfers!) Thanks again to everyone who helped make the tournament a success. We can’t wait until next year!

Audi Wesley Chapel was proud to partner once again with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office to help recognize public service at the Sheriff’s Office Quarterly Swearing-In Ceremony. As our way of saying thank you to the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, Audi Wesley Chapel presented the Audi of Wesley Chapel Servant Leadership Award at the ceremony on August 23rd. The award recognizes any member of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, sworn or civilian, who goes above and beyond the call of duty. To earn a nomination, the public servant must have demonstrated leadership and selflessness. Nominees might have committed an act of bravery, or shown dedication to community service, or performed any other action that puts others before themselves. Thanks again to all of the nominees for their service to this community!