Tire Pros Stores Raise Funds for Hospital

Kevin Edens, owner of Sherwood Tire Pros in Sherwood, Ark., and Little Rock, Ark.-based Cross Tire Pros, says annual fundraisers like the company's Tires for Tots drive have always been at the heart of his business.

Sherwood and Cross Tire Pros have raised thousands of dollars through sales and donations for 11 straight years to support Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

The cause is especially personal for Edens.

A group of Tire Pros dealers in central Arkansas, including Edens, developed the idea for the drive when they discovered they all had ties to the hospital and wanted to support it.

For years, the businesses gave to the cause. As some closed, Edens became the only donor and continued to give. His wife, Jackie, has been a neurology specialty nurse at the hospital for 25 years, so that fueled his drive.

"Tires for Tots is a passion project for me,” says Edens, who has been in the auto industry for more than 40 years. “I have heard so many great stories from our customers about how wonderful Arkansas Children’s Hospital is and all the amazing things they do. For us to be able to give a little compassion to those in need and hear the feedback from the staff makes all of this worthwhile.”

Edens and his businesses have raised $9,743 for the hospital this year, almost reaching their donations of more than $10,000 last year.

His two dealerships donated three dollars for every tire they sold throughout September and October. The money was also raised through donations from customers and a night time golf tournament Edens helped organize in October.

Donations go toward “compassion carts” on the neurology floor — stations for patients and families that provide essentials such as toothbrushes and other hygiene products, as well as clothing, books and toys.

Since numerous families from around the country come through the hospital doors each day for children with a variety of conditions, Edens says they often don’t have enough necessities to last the stay of their care.

He says it’s important that he sees how his donations are helping others. He’s received countless comments from nurses and medical staff about how thankful patients and families are for the necessary resources his dealerships provide.

"We’ve gotten a couple new dealers in the area this year and I’m hoping we can get them to jump on board because the more we get involved, the better,” says Edens. “While we aren’t a huge corporation giving millions of dollars, I know exactly where it goes and I see the benefits of it. Anything we can do to help in our community just by giving back is the right thing to do.”