Brycen with Dayna Kleve, Director of Diversity, Engagement and Foundation, in DC.
Hard to believe, but it is the second week of November. Which means it is already the second week of Gratitude Month. This month we are sharing stories about the things and people Living Well is grateful for—and this week we want to talk about meaningful partnerships, and how they impact our mission.
One of the most amazing partnerships over the last has been the growing relationship we have built with Walser Subaru St. Paul. Last year we were chosen by Brycen Eberwein, General Manager, as the hometown charity of choice for donations raised when customers buy or lease a Subaru from the dealership between mid-November and the new year.
His entire team embraced our mission from day one, and after the program ended, our partnership really took off!
About Subaru Share the Love: Sixteen years ago, Subaru created the Share the Love Event to help those who need it most. For every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased at any of the more than 630 Subaru retailers from November 16, 2023, through January 2, 2024, Subaru will donate $250 to the purchaser’s choice of charities, with an additional $75 going to a hometown charity. Each dealership gets to choose their hometown charity, and lucky for us, Walser Subaru St. Paul chose Living Well as their hometown partner once again. Buyers choose the charity that will benefit from their purchase and can choose Living Well to get both donations—meaning we receive $75 from each Subaru sold from that dealership but could get $300!
By the end of this year’s event, Subaru and its participating retailers aim to reach a cumulative total of more than $285 million in donations to returning national charity partners including The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®), Make-A-Wish®, Meals on Wheels America, and the National Park Foundation, as well as over 800 local hometown charities.
The Walser Subaru St Paul after a meeting welcoming us last year.
About the Team: The entire team at Walser Subaru St Paul are dedicated to supporting nonprofits and living the Subaru mission. Subaru of America, Inc., believes in being a positive force in the world and empowering those most in need. Their Love Promise shapes this mission, driven by a commitment to ensuring that all colleagues are valued, impactful, and successful. With that kind of value system, it is no surprise the Brycen was in Washington DC just this week at a DEI meeting where 3% or their most involved team members gathered to learn and grow within the DEI community. Subaru of America is raising the bar when it comes to the way it thinks, talks, and acts on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). He attended this year’s 2023 DEIB Retailer Summit alongside 50 of the most committed partners within the Subaru family.
When we asked Brycen why he choose Living Well as the hometown charity, he said, “Initially I thought the cause was worthy of the recognition and donation, and I was happy to support a great cause.” Then added, “The ongoing contact I have had with the team really spoke to me. The team and the people supported are incredible. I believe the decision we made when we picked Living Well last year was the best choice. When people think through the nonprofits they want to support I feel supporting a local partner that really does the hard, but less glamorous work, truly helps people live their best lives. There is absolutely no reason I would look for another partner for 2023.”
Walser Subaru St Paul Table at the 2023 Gala.
How Walser Subaru has supported Living Well: Last November Living Well partnered with Walser Subaru Saint Paul for the first time, and in June we were invited to a check presentation at the dealership, where we were presented a check for … $17,728! It was a stunning and beautiful day. Rodney, from our Poppler house got a test drive, and watching him light up and enjoy the ride was awesome. Then in August, Walser Subaru Saint Paul supported our gala as a table sponsor, and donated a 6-month lease to our live auction. Heather Heier, Communications and Events Manager, says, “Watching Rodney have such a blast when we were taken on a drive was one of the highlights of my career. He is a lover of cars, and Jack told him all about the car, took a few zippy corners, and treated him like he was about to buy the car. Working with Brycen and his entire team has been beyond wonderful. When I asked Brycen if he would consider donating a lease to the auction, he texted back within 30 seconds … I think I can do that.” That car brought in close to $3000 dollars at the gala! Heather adds, “The support Brycen has given Living Well is beyond amazing. No one responds that quickly to a huge auction donation ask. Brycen did, and it blew me away! It means a lot to me that he sees disability as diversity, and is such a passionate supporter of Living Well.”
Thank you to our partner, Walser Subaru St. Paul. Your dedicated support means everything.
Ok, we talked about gratitude for partnerships. Now let’s quickly hear what Brycen and Heather are grateful for.
Brycen— I’m grateful to my team. That includes my incredible colleagues, our partners and all those that contribute to our dealership. These relationships fuel the ability for us to give back, make a difference, and do the right thing.
Heather— I am grateful to have a job I truly love where I am surrounded by people I adore. I wake up every day happy to go into the office. I am very lucky. If I can raise my children to know that the true measure of success is how you show up for others, not how much money you make, then I will feel I have won parenting.
What are you grateful for today …