Dealership News
Findlay teams with Berkley to support Touro mobile clinic
Automotive executive Cliff Findlay and Touro University CEO Shelley Berkley teamed up to create the first Touro University Nevada Mobile Health Care Clinic in 2015, and the pair’s connection continues to generate wholesome results.
Since its introduction last year, the mobile medical unit has been utilized hundreds of times throughout the Las Vegas Valley, helping individuals with their medical needs and counseling.
Now, a second clinic was unveiled Nov. 18 at Opportunity Village in the southwest valley. The latest facility is expected to be welcomed with open arms by individuals with special needs at Opportunity Village and others throughout Southern Nevada.
Ironically, both the first and second mobile medical units were the result of the fact that Berkley and Findlay went to college together when UNLV was known as Nevada Southern University in the late 1960s. When Berkley called her old classmate for help last year, Findlay immediately directed her to Findlay Automotive Group CFO Tyler Corder, and the rest is history.
“They discounted the price so much that we would have been foolish to turn it down,” Berkley said. “It was a teamwork effort considering that Zappos gave us the money to make the purchase, and the Junior League of Las Vegas provided the money for the medical equipment to be used inside the clinic.”
The first medical clinic provided a big benefit to the community, and Findlay Automotive Group was eager to jump on board for another mobile clinic.
“We are really happy to help Touro University in their medical outreach program,” Corder said. “The first mobile clinic made a huge difference for the underserved population in downtown Las Vegas. When they contacted us about a second clinic to serve the developmentally disabled at Opportunity Village, we were on board immediately. ”
Berkley, a former two-term U.S. congresswoman, praised the latest development.
“It’s a win-win for everyone involved,” she said.
“It was a team effort, and we all collectively did our part to make this possible for both Touro University and Opportunity Village,” said Findlay RV general manager Reuben Figueroa, who added that the clinic was a 29-foot 2017 XLR Hyper Lite 29HFS.
Opportunity Village President and CEO Bob Brown also praised the partnership.
“This is yet another partnership to help the most vulnerable people in our community,” he said.
Friendly Ford supports Toys for Tots
For the 14th consecutive year, Friendly Ford has launched a campaign to collect Christmas gifts for the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots.
Leading the drive is Friendly Ford care coordinator Geri Bich, a 17-year employee who has spearheaded the campaign during each of the past 14 years. Bich launched the latest drive Nov. 18 at the dealership, which is located at 660 N. Decatur Blvd.
“We hope that every one of our employees donates a toy so that we can fill the back of a new Ford F-150 pickup,” Bich said. “We meet our goal every year. Each year, two Marines pick up the toys. Friendly Ford’s employees always come through.”
The toys collected are given to a range of recipients from infants to young teens. The long list of gifts includes bicycles, footballs and basketballs, to name a few.
Bich said the Marines would arrive in mid-December to pick up the gifts for distribution to needy families throughout the Las Vegas Valley.
Marines-Las Vegas Toys for Tots Chairman T.J. McGrath said the campaign kicked off with a huge golf tournament at Painted Desert Golf Course in the northwest valley. He said the 2016 tourney drew 144 golfers.
“We had a full field for the tournament,” McGrath said. “In addition, we raised a record of $40,000.”
Further information can be found by visiting www.toysfortots.org. Over its life span, the Marine Toys for Tots program has distributed 491 million toys to more than 230 million less fortunate children.
Park Place Infiniti sponsors UMC’s annual ‘You Drink, You Drive, You Lose’ event
Park Place Infiniti will be a platinum-level sponsor of University Medical Center’s annual “You Drink, You Drive, You Lose” event Dec. 2, starting at 10 a.m., in front of UMC’s Trauma Center, 800 Hope Place.
“At Park Place Infiniti, we are committed to educating our youth about safe and responsible driving,” said Rob Schweizer, general manager of Park Place Infiniti. “We enjoy helping young people and their parents find the car of their dreams. But we want them to be safe and responsible on the road.
“Every year, UMC’s event demonstrates up close the devastation drunk driving can cause. This year, we will be there with a banner students can sign to pledge their commitment to never driving under the influence.”
During “You Drink, You Drive, You Lose,” local high school students will hear from people who have lost a loved one as a result of a drunk driving accident. Attendees of the event will have an opportunity to witness a roll-over simulation and go “under the influence” using special goggles to learn and feel the effects of how just a little alcohol can impair a young driver.
Clark County leaders and Nevada dignitaries will be at the event to show their support for the prevention of drunk driving.
According to the Nevada Highway Patrol, 36 people died in 34 alcohol-related crashes across Clark County from Jan. 1 to Nov. 7.