13 Oct. 2004

HUFFINES AUTO DEALERSHIPS AWARD $15,000 IN GRANTS TO NONPROFIT AGENCIES IN PLANO, DENTON AND LEWISVILLE

Volunteers, Educators, Local Heroes…all three grant recipients demonstrate true Texas Values in their communities

Plano , TX - Huffines family-owned dealerships announced today the winners of its Texas Values Grants Program. One nonprofit organization in Plano, Denton and Lewisville will receive a $5,000 grant during the Texas Values Grants award ceremony at Huffines Jeep Chrysler Dodge dealership in Plano. Their commitment to Texas Values such as helping neighbors and giving back to the community will be recognized at the ceremony. The Texas Values Grants Program is part of Huffines 80 th anniversary celebration.

Huffines’ grant winners from each city are as follows: Plano, Even Start Family Literacy Program; Lewisville, Search One Rescue Team; Denton, Chisholm Trail Retired and Senior Volunteer Program dba RSVP.

“As a community partner in each of these cities, it’s our privilege and responsibility to give back to those who contribute to the success of our business and understand the importance of core Texas Values,” says J.L. Huffines, co-owner of Huffines Auto Dealerships. “We were pleased to experience an incredible response from more than 100 deserving agencies. The selection brought an overwhelming sense of pride and admiration for these quality agencies that share our deep commitment to Texas Values.”

Funds provided through these grants will contribute to children’s literacy programs, increase recruitment of community volunteers and allow for the implementation of equipment that will aid in the search for missing persons. In Plano, Even Start Family Literacy Program plans to purchase books and other reading tools to enhance their children’s reading program. RSVP will allocate the funds to expand its current volunteer base in order to meet the ever increasing needs for social services in Denton. Lewisville’s Search One Rescue Team will use the grant money to purchase new equipment designed to enhance their search efforts.

“These nonprofit agencies serve very diverse programs in their communities, however, the impact they make and the lives they touch are what this Texas Values grant program is all about,” says Ray Huffines, co-owner of Huffines Auto Dealerships. “It’s about the heartfelt heroes, the commitment to volunteerism and the beauty of family education despite language barriers.”

For 80 years, the Huffines family has served North Texas through their automobile dealerships. They say this success is due to their commitment to community involvement and the development of genuine relationships in North Texas.

Beginning in 1924, Huffines is one of the oldest dealerships in North Texas and remains one of few family-owned dealerships in the area. Huffines Auto Dealerships offer new and certified pre-owned vehicles including Chevrolet, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Hyundai, Kia and Subaru. A Chrysler 5 Star Certified Dealer, Huffines also serves as a member of GM’s Mark of Excellence and Hyundai’s Board of Excellence. Huffines was also named the Reader’s Choice Best Dealership in Collin and Denton counties.

ABOUT EVEN START FAMILY LITERACY

Even Start is a non-profit program that provides education to disadvantaged families residing in the Plano Independent School District. The Even Start programs are family-centered initiatives that embrace the whole family as “the student.” Through holistic and sustained efforts, the program breaks the intergenerational cycle of illiteracy and poverty through education that provides opportunities for families to succeed. Parents learn to read, write and speak English. They learn parenting skills, job skills and life skills. Preschool children attend with their parents so they too can learn English and develop readiness skills for kindergarten. School age children come to receive academic assistance as they progress through primary school.

ABOUT RETIRED SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) has been active in Denton County for more than 30 years working in partnership with nonprofit agencies, faith-based organizations, schools and other places where public work is to be done. RSVP is an agency with more than 1,000 volunteers whose tireless efforts provide thousands of hours of service, save thousands of dollars and make Denton County a better place for all citizens. This organization was created from the central belief that senior volunteers are valuable resources whose talent, wisdom and experience can be utilized to create safer, healthier and stronger communities. Across Denton County, RSVP has followed the American tradition of “Neighbor Helping Neighbor” and offers an avenue for citizens to become connected and give back to their community.

ABOUT SEARCH ONE RESCUE TEAM

As a non-profit volunteer organization, the mission of Search One Rescue Team (SORT) is to assist governmental agencies in locating lost or missing persons. SORT was established in 1983 and has since responded to hundreds of searches in the North Texas area. Search types that cover the range of missing children, elderly walk-a-way, disaster, child abduction, lost hunters, suicide victims, human remains and many others. SORT is recognized nationally as a leader in ground search techniques, training and standards. Instructors teach fire and police personnel throughout the state and nationwide the fundamentals of ground search management. SORT assures professionally trained and experienced personnel and K9’s will respond to any search situation.

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