Join Stephen Wade in supporting local at-risk youth, families this holiday season

Charity Ann (left) and Jamie Bahlmann hang tags listing items needed for local charities on the wish tree at Stephen Wade Toyota, St. George, Utah, Nov. 22, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Stephen Wade Auto Center, St. George News

CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — ‘Tis the season to give, and in the spirit of Christmas, Stephen Wade Auto Center has set a goal to donate $50,000 to three organizations committed to making a difference in the lives of at-risk youth and homeless families in Washington County. 

When you purchase a vehicle at one of Stephen Wade’s local dealerships during the “Spirit of Giving” promotion this month, including Mercedes-Benz of St. George, a portion of the proceeds from the sale will go to support these organizations. Or you can purchase an item from one of their wish trees.

“We couldn’t do this without the help of our community,” Public Relations Director Jamie Bahlmann said. 

Buy from Stephen Wade, support local families

If you’re in the market for a car, now is the time to purchase a vehicle for you and your family. Your purchase will help give the gift of hope this holiday season. With the support of their customers, Stephen Wade Auto Center aims to raise a total of $50,000 throughout the month of December to split between Switchpoint, Youth Futures and the Washington County School District Foundation. 

Additionally, Stephen Wade Auto Center is still collecting donation items at the “wish trees” located inside all their dealerships on Auto Mall Drive. Each tree is filled with tags that include specific items needed by each organization, such as blankets, sleeping bags, jackets, gloves, socks, cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer. Choose a tag from the tree, purchase the item and drop it off at any Stephen Wade Auto Center location before Dec. 17. 

The need in Southern Utah

According to the Washington County School District, 470 at-risk or homeless youth are currently residing in the greater St. George area. That’s roughly the size of the entire student body at Heritage Elementary School. Many live in hotels or motels, some live in homeless shelters, and others still live in a car, park or campground.

A Stephen Wade “Wish Tree,” in St. George, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Stephen Wade Auto Center, St. George News

“A student living in homelessness has the same basic needs as any other student in the Washington County School District,” Bahlmann said. “If these basic needs are met, the student can focus on learning at school and not whether they’ll have food to eat or a place to stay for the night.”

Fighting homelessness 

Switchpoint, Youth Futures and the Washington County School District Foundation all work to provide basic needs for at-risk youth and families in the greater St. George area. The Youth Futures shelter provides a home life setting for kids ages 12-18 who need emergency and temporary shelter. Switchpoint’s mission is to address poverty by providing a comprehensive plan to support families on their journey to self-sufficiency. The Washington County School District Foundation collects items that low-income students may be lacking at home and provides the resources to school counselors to distribute as needed.

“We are so grateful for Switchpoint, Youth Futures and the school district for recognizing the needs in our community,” Bahlmann said.

A legacy of giving

Although the Stephen Wade family of dealerships has a long history of charitable giving in Southern Utah, Bahlmann said the “Spirit of Giving” promotion is the first of its kind. Every holiday season, the group supports Intermountain Healthcare’s Jubilee of Trees and Shop With a Cop alongside local law enforcement agencies. 

Stephen Wade Auto Center gives back to the community all year long by sponsoring youth sports, art and science programs, school athletic teams, local school clubs and other organizations through the Kick4Cash and Shoot4Cash programs. The group also supports sporting events, concerts, festivals, medical programs and nonprofit initiatives throughout Southern Utah, including the Washington County School District Foundation classroom grants.

Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.

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Resources

  • Stephen Wade Auto Center | Address: 150 W. Hilton Drive, St. George | Telephone: 435-222-7605 | Website.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2021, all rights reserved.

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