Chevrolet of Smithtown is using sales as a vehicle for fundraising as $100 from every car or truck sold in October will be donated to the Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition.
Peter Kontzamanys, general manager of Chevrolet of Smithtown, said the dealership is looking to raise at least $10,000 in October for the coalition.
Kontzamanys said the dealership wanted to stay local with the charities they donate to.
“American Cancer [Society] was recommended by Chevrolet and people were sponsoring walks and fundraisers, so we wanted to do a little more than that … we’re a local business, we’d like to keep the money here with people who spend money with us, we’d like to make sure that we’re helping the community,” he said.
Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987, Karen Joy Miller, the president and founder of the Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition, said there was a comfort with the dealership during her first meeting with Kontzamanys.
“Some businesses aren’t interested in breast cancer, they’re only interested in the month of October … I walked in, met Pete and the other gentlemen, the room was filled with salesmen, the general manager, I think even the regional manager, and we just hit it off,” Miller said.
Aside from the donation per vehicle sold, the dealership is hosting a car show to celebrate the company's centennial year on Oct. 16 for Chevrolet owners to display their cars and trucks, with a $10 registration fee, all proceeds going to the coalition.
The relationship with the dealership and the coalition is also going beyond October as paraphernalia from the coalition will be in the showroom throughout the year and more events with the dealership are expected.
Kontzamanys said Miller’s story solidified the dealership’s stance on helping the coalition throughout the year.
“We plan to continue this relationship throughout the year, keep materials in the showroom talking about the coalition … for the world October is Breast Cancer Awareness [Month], but for her it’s every month so we want to have it here so at least it’s always out front in our dealership,” he said.
