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Fraser Valley Auto Mall donates $22K to Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund

Money collected among 10 car dealerships in support of flood victims
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The Fraser Valley Auto Mall normally holds an annual food drive in support of the Archway Food Bank of Abbotsford. This year’s event is still being firmed up. Meanwhile, the dealerships have donated $22,000 to the Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund. (John Morrow/Abbotsford News)

The dealers of the Fraser Valley Auto Mall have donated $22,000 to the Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund (ADRF).

Auto mall manager Steve Magown said the funds came from the pockets of the 10 dealers after he issued a challenge to them.

He said he was proud of how quickly they all came together in support of local flood victims and how much money they were able to raise.

“We’re in the community, and we support situations that occur, whether they’re good or bad, and I think that’s what these guys are all about … They all came to the table; that’s really amazing,” Magown said.

RELATED: Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund established by local fundraising coalition

He said the support of the ADRF is an extension of the good work the auto mall merchants already do, whether it’s providing uniforms for sports teams or the annual Fraser Valley Auto Mall Food Drive in support of the local food bank. (The auto mall is still firming up plans for this year’s event.)

Magown said, with the pandemic, the car dealerships have experienced supply-chain issues that are impacting their businesses, but it didn’t stop them from wanting to help the community during a time of crisis.

“These guys have such great hearts, and they’re going through difficult times … It’s what humanity should be all about,” he said.

Magown said he researched various organizations that are supporting flood victims, but he chose the ADRF because of “the team they put together.”

The fund was established by the Abbotsford Community Foundation, the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce and University of the Fraser Valley.

The ADRF will provide grants to local agencies involved in the disaster relief effort, as well as businesses that have been impacted.

Donations can be made online at abbotsfordcf.org/disaster.



Vikki Hopes

About the Author: Vikki Hopes

I have been a journalist for almost 40 years, and have been at the Abbotsford News since 1991.
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