(12/1) This holiday season, it’s all about giving at the Wantz Chevrolet dealership in Taneytown. Wantz Chevrolet is once again collecting toys for its annual toy drive to be locally distributed as a part of the "Christmas for Community Kids" drive that is being held to help make a difference in the lives of local families in need.
The goal is to fill the labeled truck located in the dealership’s showroom with toys and other items that are being accepted. The dealership is collecting new, unwrapped children’s toys of any type, as well as other donation items such as nonperishable foods, blankets, gloves, hats, and scarves. Collections will be ending on December 17.
The collected items will be brought to the Trinity Lutheran Church by the dealership and will then be distributed to the recipients.
History of Drive
In total, this is the seventh year Wantz Chevrolet has collected toys for children in need. They began collecting after they were approached several years ago and asked to sponsor food and toys for the holidays. In the past few years, the multitude of generous donations have filled the truck and found their way into the homes of many families in time for
Christmas.
Change of Direction
Originally, the dealership collected its donations for the Toys for Tots program. Toys for Tots was founded in 1947 and is organized by the US Marine Corps Reserve, which collects and distributes toys to families who are unable or struggling to afford to purchase their children gifts for Christmas. These toys were distributed in the Baltimore area to children
of underprivileged families to help them through the holidays. Two years ago, however, the mission changed after Scott Wantz, the dealership’s vice president, was approached by some local organizations in the community who addressed the need for assistance here in the local area.
After speaking with and acquiring the permission of the US Marine Corps, soliciting a bit of help from the Trinity Lutheran Church in Taneytown, and through local organization "Mission of Mercy," Wantz Chevrolet was able to distribute the toys to the local community and changed the name of their drive to "Christmas for Community Kids."
"Mission of Mercy" is an organization based in Frederick that serves the needs of several regions of the country. "Mission of Mercy" helps provide free healthcare, free dental care, and free medications to those who are underinsured, or uninsured completely. They bring their mobile health clinics to cities in both Maryland and Pennsylvania including Taneytown,
Reisterstown, Brunswick, Frederick, Gettysburg, and Harrisburg.
Church’s Role
The "Mission of Mercy" medical van visits Trinity Lutheran Church located on Baltimore Street twice a month. In December, the Church will receive the toys and other items from the dealership, and the toys will then be distributed to the clients of "Mission of Mercy" who lack basic health insurance, and some who may even be experiencing homelessness. The toy
drive ensures that the children of these local people in need of assistance receive gifts in their stockings and under their trees from Santa Clause on Christmas morning.
The drive serves an important role in the community. "The people that we distribute them to are very appreciative of getting these things because some of them, if it had not been for these toys and us distributing them, their children wouldn’t have a Christmas," said Margie Pyles, a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the person in charge of the campaign this
year.
The community’s gratitude shows through the large collection of thank-you letters the church has received from people who were previous recipients of toys that were donated to the drive.
History of Dealership
Over 50 years ago, in the small, rural farming town of Taneytown, Mr. Leonard Wantz became the dealer principle at the age of 23 on March 5, 1964. The business originally relied on selling trucks to farmers in the area but evolved into what it is today.
Chevrolet has recognized the dealership’s longevity and commitment to serving the community. A few years ago, the dealership was awarded the Chevrolet dealer 50-year dealer award.
The business today is built on three generations and have generations of returning customers. Numerous Wantz Chevrolet staff members have been working at the dealership for several decades and the dealership has an 80 percent customer retention rate, which is nearly unheard of in this industry.
Wantz Chevrolet accomplishes such high customer approval ratings by supporting its local community and meeting its needs wherever it can. It does not operate like their larger, chain dealership counterparts. Throughout the years, Wantz Chevrolet has supported many local civic and non-profit organizations including youth sports and local fire departments.
"Good business and good community service" seems to be Wantz Chevrolet’s motto. Their long history of community support makes it no surprise that Wantz Chevrolet is continuing their tradition of serving the community this holiday season.
Please consider reaching into your heart and making a toy, food, or winter clothing donation to the "Christmas for Community Kids" drive before December 17. It is a great way to give to your community, and to those most in need of a little Christmas cheer. We thank Wantz Chevrolet for its efforts in supporting the Taneytown community, and giving us all a chance
to give back this holiday season.
Merry Christmas!
