Community
Planet Ford Sponsors Cruisin' for a Cure, Helps Raise over $10,000 for Prostate Cancer Canada.Planet Ford has sponsored and participated in Brampton's 11th annual Cruisin' for a Cure car show, and has helped raise over $10,000 for Prostate Cancer Canada.The show was held at the Powerade Centre in Brampton, Ontario, and saw over 3,000 people attend to admire over 600 classic and custom cars. Planet Ford set up highly-visible displays at the event, and engaged thousands of people all day in fun activities and vehicle presentations.
Planet Ford's team set up Performance Auto Group's event tent and showcased two top-of-the-line vehicles decaled in custom dealership graphics. One was a black 2017 Mustang GT Premium Convertible equipped with the Black Accent Package, and the other was a black 2017 F-150 3.5L EcoBoost XLT equipped with the Sport Appearance Package.The truck had a dealership-installed Raptor body kit, which included a lift kit, exclusive black wheels with aggressive all-terrain tires, and custom matte black front and rear bumpers, fender flares, hood scoop, and a trunk-lid spoiler.The team engaged visitors in the well-known Plinko game, made popular by The Price is Right television show. People tried their luck at winning prizes all day, which included $250 Planet Ford gift cards and raffle entries to win a detailing package and an oil change. Planet Ford's sponsorship and participation in the 2017 Cruisin' for a Cure car show is a part of Performance Auto Group's Drive Change initiative, which ensures that our organization gives back visibly to the communities which we serve.Planet Ford Sponsors Brampton's 17th annual Classic Cars Celebration. Planet Ford has participated in the 17th annual Classic Cars Celebration in Brampton's downtown core as the sole external sponsor.The event was held from July 20 to 22, 2017, and saw participation from thousands of people on all three days. Planet Ford set up prominent vehicle displays at all the main entertainment and food locations, and set up an event tent next to the Lorna Bissel Fountain in the centre of the festivities.The tent featured the popular Quick Buckets game, and allowed the team to engage and entertain hundreds of people. All winning adults received $500 Planet Ford gift cards, whereas kids took home hundreds of Planet Ford-branded vehicle stickers.Planet Ford had four different top-of-the-line vehicles decaled in custom dealership graphics on display, including two 2017 Mustangs and two 2017 F-150s. One of the Mustangs was a black GT Premium Convertible equipped with the Black Accent Package, while the other was a yellow EcoBoost Premium Fastback equipped with the Performance Package.The F-150s were also of two different trim levels - a black 3.5L EcoBoost XLT equipped with the Sport Appearance Package and a blue 5.0L V8 Lariat. The black truck had a dealership-installed lift kit, aggressive all-terrain tires, and a special matte black body kit with custom front and rear bumpers, fender flares, and a large hood scoop.The vehicles drew lots of public attention, with people lining up to take photographs and enquire about their specs throughout the event. Team members also gave out Planet Ford gift cards and vehicle stickers to everyone who visited the displays.Planet Ford's sponsorship of Brampton's 17th annual Classic Cars Celebration is a part of Performance Auto Group's Drive Change initiative, which ensures that our organization gives back visibly to the communities which we serve.Planet Ford Sponsors Shining Through Centre's Annual Autism Gala Dinner. Planet Ford has participated in The Shining Through Centre for Children with Autism's 18th Annual Gala Dinner as a Silver Sponsor, and has helped raise much-needed funds to support autistic children across southern Ontario.The event was held on March 3, 2017 at the luxurious Embassy Grand Hall in Brampton, and was attended by over 1,300 people. It featured an upscale dinner, an open bar, a silent auction, a raffle and exceptional entertainment, all of which helped encourage donations to the centre.
Planet Ford General Manager Andre Marchese said he was very happy to have partnered with the centre and to have sponsored this year's gala dinner. "Schools like The Shining Through Centre are playing a pivotal role in supporting and improving the lives of autistic children. The centre has proven that autistic children can learn exponentially under the right environment, which makes the facility a tremendous asset to autistic children and their families. We are therefore very proud to have sponsored the gala dinner, and to have raised funds for The Shining Through Centre," said Andre. Planet Ford's sponsorship of the gala dinner is a part of Performance Auto Group's Drive Change initiative, which ensures that our organization gives back visibly to the communities which we serve.Planet Ford sponsors 2016 Cruisin' For A Cure, Raises Funds for Prostate Cancer Canada. Planet Ford has participated in the 10th annual Cruisin' For A Cure car show as lead sponsor, and has helped raise vital funds for research into prostate cancer by sponsoring Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) tests at the event.The show was held on Sunday, September 11, 2016 at the Powerade Centre in Brampton, Ontario, and saw over 2,000 people attend and enjoy the festive atmosphere. Planet Ford's team set up Performance Auto Group's event tent in the centre of the show, and held numerous activities to engage and entertain people.The team set up two different vehicle displays, including a top-of-the-line 2016 Ford F-150 and a fully-equipped 2016 Ford Mustang GT Premium Convertible with the GT Performance Package. The vehicles attracted a lot of public interest, with people taking photographs and inquiring about their specs from Planet Ford staff throughout the day.The team also engaged visitors in games of Quick Buckets, which proved very popular with both adults and children at the show. Hundreds of people participated in the game, and took home $250 Performance Auto Group gift cards and glow bracelets as prizes all day long.Planet Ford General Manager Andre Marchese said he was very proud to have sponsored an important event like Cruisin' For A Cure, as all net proceeds from the event go to Prostate Cancer Canada to fund vital medical research. "We all had a great time participating in this year's Cruisin' For A Cure. Thousands of people showed up with hundreds of fantastic cars, and together we all raised much-needed awareness about prostate cancer. Sadly, the disease affects an estimated 24,000 men in Canada every year, which is why we all must support every effort to raise funds for research into the condition," said Andre.He said he was very happy to have sponsored PSA blood tests conducted at the show. "This year, the blood tests were performed by world-renowned oncologist and researcher Dr. Andrew Loblaw. The tests serve to detect early signs of prostate cancer, and can go a long way in ensuring that timely treatment is provided to patients. Our sponsorship of the tests demonstrates Performance Auto Group's commitment to the community, and serves to further elevate the company's profile in society," said Andre.This year's event also featured a show by the OPP Golden Helmets Precision Motorcycle Riding Team, and was dedicated to all first responders on the 15th anniversary of 9/11.Planet Ford's participation in the Cruisin' For A Cure car show is a part of Performance Auto Group's Drive Change initiative, which ensures that our organization gives back visibly to the communities which we serve. Planet Ford Honours World Autism Day with Shining Through
On Saturday, April 2, 2016, Planet Ford held an inspiring event in honour of World Autism Awareness Day. The event was held in partnership with the Shining Through Centre, a leading not-for-profit charitable organization aiming to enhance the lives of children with autism. The celebration was attended by over 60 people, with families from across the GTA coming in to enjoy the festive atmosphere.Planet Ford's staff decorated the dealership with official autism awareness colours, including royal blue and yellow balloons and multi-coloured puzzle ribbons. They also arranged free activities and refreshments for everyone, and children could be seen lining up for face-painting, balloon-making and fresh popcorn throughout the event. A silent auction was also held on the day to raise funds for the Shining Through Centre, with people bidding on items like five signed Toronto Maple Leaf jerseys and one signed Toronto Raptors jersey.
According to Planet Ford General Manager Andre Marchese, the fundraising element was secondary to the event this year, as its primary focus was to create awareness about autism. Nonetheless, the silent auction managed to generate over seven hundred dollars for the Shining Through Centre. Marchese said that he intends to hold the event on an annual basis, with next year's one focused more on raising funds. "I believe autism will one day be curable, but it requires increased funding and continuous awareness initiatives. Schools such as the Shining Through Centre have proven that autistic students can learn and develop exponentially with the right support, and therefore such organisations must be helped," said Marchese. He said the Shining Through Centre was a tremendous asset to autistic children and their families. "It is truly a place where passionate, selfless teachers pour their love and support into autistic children. The centre's founding members are all parents of children living with autism, and they should all be lauded for their vision and sacrifice," said Marchese. The event concluded with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony, which symbolised the development of a new relationship between Planet Ford and the Shining Through Centre. The event was a part of Performance Auto Group's Drive Change initiative, to ensure that our organization gives back visibly to the communities which we serve.