Portland-Area New Car Dealers Make Large Contribution to Communities

PORTLAND, Ore. - A broad base of charities and schools in the Portland metro market have benefited from over $650,000 in contributions from the Metro Portland New Car Dealers Association (MPNCDA) over the past three and a half years.

Chris Neuber, MPNCDA's executive vice president, said the association members are proud to present a large check each year during the Portland International Auto Show to the Oregon Community Foundation. The Foundation, in turn, manages distribution of the funds to a variety of non-profit organizations. This year, the auto show is Feb. 1-4 at the Oregon Convention Center.

Between May, 1997 and December, 2000, MPNCDA contributed $657,000 to the Oregon Community Foundation.

Organizations and schools receiving funds over this period of time were:

• Mt. Hood Community College (replacement equipment for automotive classes)
• Franklin High School (automotive instructor salary)
• Northwest Medical Teams/Gift of Hope telethon
• Capital Center High School (automotive instructor salary)
• Parry Center, 25th anniversary auction title sponsorship
• Metropolitan Family Service
• Citizens Crime Commission (annual donation to support the commission's efforts to make the criminal justice system more effective, efficient and accountable)
• Doernbecher Children's Hospital
• Committee to Expand the Convention Center
• Easter Seal Society of Oregon
• KATU Television Flood Relief Fund

MPNCDA sponsors a teacher conference for the Technology Educators of Oregon yearly and pays the tuition of attending instructors. There also is an award program for instructors who direct students to MPNCDA sponsored educational programs.

Again at this year's auto show, a booth will be available so parents and students can receive information on entering the auto technology field at local high schools and community colleges.

MPNCDA represents new car dealers m the Portland Metro area, including Vancouver, Wash., and Salem, Ore. Statewide, Oregon's new auto dealers sell $7.1 billion in vehicles each year and employs more than 14,000. The estimated $557 million in annual payrolls gets circulated in the towns and cities where MPNCDA members have their businesses.

Many MPNCDA members are second and third generation auto dealership owners and managers who are committed to the well-being of their employees and the good of their communities.

For more information about MPNCDA, call (503) 233-5044.