West Herr Community Involvement

The West Herr Auto Group is a long-time contributor and supporter of the many worth while organizations in Western New York. We take our community role very seriously, and we are committed to giving back to the community that has supported us. It is our desire to be good corporate citizens with another important purpose other than selling and servicing automobiles.

In addition to the donation of time, facilities and other resources, the West Herr Auto Group has provided direct financial support to over 600 organizations from Little League Baseball and Football, to senior citizens groups, school bands, and benefits for individuals with catastrophic illnesses, just to name a few. As a company we have chosen the following three Western New York based organizations to partnership and provide major support to.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute

Roswell Park Cancer Institute - Brad Hafner (Chairman) & Scott Bieler (President)
The decision to partner with Roswell emanated from our true desire to do everything we can to support cancer research and help find a cure. Over the past several years, a growing number of people within our organization, our customers, and friends have been affected by cancer personally or through a family member or friend. Every additional case of this disease deepens our commitment to do whatever we can to help find a cure. Since 1998, Scott Bieler and Brad Hafner have been the faces of West Herr at Roswell. We joined the "Round up for Roswell" campaign making a donation for each vehicle we sold. This initial contribution established the opening of the Western New York Community Research Center. This library of information is free and open to the public, and helps educate patients and family members about different types of cancer and treatment options available. In recent years we changed the name of our campaign to "Drive for Roswell" to continue our efforts to fund this important educational center. In 2001, we committed to helping the hospital and research center build a peaceful garden area at the heart of its complex. In addition, West Herr has donated two 7-passenger mini-vans for the patients and visitors at Roswell to utilize as a shuttle service between the parking areas and the main campus. We continue today taking a major role in the Horizons of Hope campaign. Our efforts will help Roswell to move forward with plans to construct a state of the art research facility. In 2012 West Herr committed to be the presenting sponsor for The Ride For Roswell for the next three years. Team West Herr will be riding in the event and we hope to continue for years to come.

Kids Escaping Drugs

Child and Family Services Buffalo - Bill Loecher (vice president)
For over 130 years, Child and Family Services has dedicated its resources to meet the needs of children and families. One of Western New York's oldest human service agencies, Child and Family Services fosters safe and healthy environments for children and families in local homes, schools, workplaces and communities. The agency is rooted in the Buffalo City Children's Aid Society, established in 1873, and the Buffalo Charity Organization Society, which was established in 1877, and became the Family Service Society in 1934. Bill Loecher serves on the Child and Family Board and the team at West Herr. See Video

 

Hospice

The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care - John Wabick (vice president)
Hospice is a compassionate approach to care whose goal is to help people with severe illness live life fully, maintain their dignity and keep control over their lives.  Hospice provides care and support in homes, hospitals, adult facilities, nursing homes, group homes and hospice residences.  Everyone knows someone who has been touched by Hospice.  Many of our employees and customers have had the opportunity to utilize the caring services they provide.  West Herr's support of the Hospice Foundation of WNY began many years ago.  In lieu of gifts for the management staff, West Herr employees made a charitable contribution.  From those early beginnings the relationship has grown and West Herr is now involved in many Hospice activities.  We have been the number one corporate pre-sale location for the annual Bouquet Sale for the past 9 years.  Our employees and family members gather to participate in the annual Memorial Walk and consistently raise thousands of dollars.  In the past we have presented Hospice with a corporate monetary gift to be used to renovate and complete a new full service on campus Bistro.  The Bistro is a relaxing environment in which to obtain quality food items without having to leave the site.  In 2011 West Herr continued its commitment with an additional pledge to be used for capital projects at the Hospice Buffalo Mitchell Campus.  In celebration of West Herr's generosity, the guest house located adjacent to the campus was named the West Herr Automotive Group Hospice Buffalo Guest House.  The residence is available to out of town family members visiting loved ones residing at the Mitchell Campus.  A conscious decision was made as a corporation to play a major role in charitable giving in our community in order to effect change.  John Wabick, VP is honored to serve on the Hospice Board of Trustees to lead in our group's dedication to this wonderful cause.

Employee Involvement
The employees of the West Herr Auto Group volunteer their time, talents and services to local organizations as well. The employees support our mission of service and giving back to the community. One example is our annual Holiday Christmas Event for needy families hosted by West Herr employee volunteers. Over the years organizations such as Boys and Girls Club of Buffalo, Child and Family Services, Summit Educational Resources, the Joan A. Male Family Support Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the St. Luke's Mission of Mercy have all identified families in need that might benefit from some holiday cheer. Parties are held complete with food, fun and games. While the children play, their parents are provided a no charge virtual toy store. Gifts are available to the parents to choose for all their children. Santa borrows lots of elves from West Herr who help run the parties, stock the shelves, assist shoppers, wrap gifts, and more. This very special event warms the hearts of the recipients and everyone at West Herr as well!

In addition to the many great organizations and support groups in Western New York, we also support the following organizations because we felt that our staff and our customers might be touched by one of them at some point in their lives.