Goodyear has honored the charitable community involvement of the Benson Group, of Cornwall, Ontario, Canada, with its 2015 Put More Good On The Road Award during the 2015 Goodyear Dealer Conference in Grapevine, Texas.
Owner Marty Benson collected a crystal plaque and a check for $10,000 to be presented to the charity of his choice – the Monsignor Rudy Villeneuve Foundation, which provides annual scholarships for students to pursue post-secondary education.
Benson Group employs more than 1,600 people across Ontario and Quebec. The family-operated company has been in business since 1953 and operates more than 100 locations. It includes Benson Auto Service, Benson Auto Parts, Benson Tire, Beverly Tire & Auto, Jiffy Auto Service and Auto-Pneu Paco.
The company has identified a number of ways to improve the strength of its community. Some of the charitable activities in which Benson Group participates include:
* founding the Community Action Group of Cornwall, promoting prosperity, affordable taxes for all, and a healthy environment since 2008;
* founding the Joint Vision-Quest for a University for Cornwall, Akwesasne and the United Counties;
* sponsoring (since 2002) the Benson Charity Golf Classic, which raises funds through golf, a dinner, silent auction and entertainment. This event raised $40,000 in 2014, with all proceeds going to high school students who cannot afford post-secondary education; and
* working with the City of Cornwall to develop a state-of-the-art recreation facility, the Benson Centre, with indoor ice rinks, a field house for soccer and track, tennis courts, fitness facilities and multiple-use rooms.
Benson Group supports other local charity groups, as well, and encourages its location managers to get involved in community events and support charitable causes as part of their daily responsibilities.
The Goodyear Put More Good On The Road project is an annual recognition of Goodyear’s North American tire dealers of all sizes and types, seeking to spotlight those who best represent their profession through strong examples of giving back to their communities and, effectively, by “putting more good on the road.”
Modern Tire Dealer is in Texas to cover the conference, which began Jan. 25 and ends Jan. 27. For the latest news from the conference, read Record attendance at Goodyear Dealer Meeting, and Goodyear reveals two new Kelly Edge tires.
Be sure to check back often for more updates on the dealer conference from Modern Tire Dealer Editor Bob Ulrich.
