Did Baxter Subaru La Vista go above and beyond, provide exceptional service, or support causes that are important to you? We'd love to hear about it.
We are honored to be nationally recognized by Subaru of America, Inc. for our dedication to our customers, our community, and the Subaru Love Promise.
The 2025 Subaru Love Promise Customer and Community Commitment Award recognizes elite Subaru retailer who provide an exceptional customer experience at every interaction with Subaru. These retailers have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to supporting passions and causes in their local communities in important areas such as environment, community, health, education, and pets.
Here at Baxter Subaru La Vista, we love our community as much as we love our vehicles and are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of all of our customers and neighbors.
Subaru and our retailers believe in making the world a better place and the Subaru Love Promise is our vision of respecting all people. This is our commitment to show love and respect to our customers and to work to make a positive impact in the world.
Did Baxter Subaru La Vista go above and beyond, provide exceptional service, or support causes that are important to you? We'd love to hear about it.
SUBMIT A STORYSubaru and its retailers partner with Operation Warm® to visit local homeless shelters and support agencies to provide children with brand-new necessities like coats, shoes, and socks.
These essential items not only help keep children protected, warm, and dry, they can also have a significant impact on a child's mental and emotional well-being.
Through this partnership and other historical Subaru Loves to Help efforts, Subaru and our retailers will have helped nearly 900,000 children and adults in urgent need so far.
Subaru and our retailers are committed to protecting and preserving the Earth, not just by our words, but also by our actions.
More than 13 million pieces of hard-to-recycle waste collected and recycled through TerraCycle®.
Subaru believes we all should have a chance to lead a healthy life. That's why Subaru and its retailers, like us, partner with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) and their local hospital or cancer treatment center to give warm blankets and encouraging messages of hope, written by retailers and Subaru customers in their stores, to support patients facing cancer. Through our partnership with LLS, we've supported nearly 350,000 cancer patients nationwide. We're proud to be LLS's largest automotive donor.
Subaru and its retailers, like us, are continuing our support of education and high-needs schools in our communities through Subaru Loves Learning(R) by providing teachers across the country with funding to purchase the school supplies and resources they know are needed to help students thrive in the classroom. Through our partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org, Subaru and its retailers will have supported more than 470,000 students nationwide and are proud to be their largest corporate supporter.
Subaru believes all pets deserve a loving home. That's why Subaru and its retailers, like us, partner with a local animal shelter every October to provide direct financial assistance and host adoption events to help animals find loving homes. Through our partnership with local and national organizations, we have donated over $51 million, which has supported the adoption, rescue, transport, and health of over 420,000 animals. We're proud to be the largest corporate donor to the ASPCA.
Subaru and its retailers believe in giving back to our communities. That's why for every new vehicle sold or leased during the Subaru Share the Love event, Subaru and its retailers, like us, makes a donation to national charities that our owners care about and to over 2,100 local charities where Subaru owners live and work.
Now, after 15 years, Subaru and our retailers have donated over $256 million to charity all to give back and to make the world a better place.
Our Love Promise can be seen in various partnerships with local charities and non-profits. We're grateful for the opportunity, not only to be a part of our community, but to serve it as well.
Nebraska Humane Society
The Furniture Project
Papillion Public Schools
Keep Omaha Beautiful
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Subaru and Baxter Subaru La Vista believe in making a positive impact on the communities in which we live and work. We uphold that belief through our Love Promise Community Commitment. Every month, we select inspiring stories from customers and partners from around our area who strive to support our collective commitment and feature them here.
On April 26, 2024, a catastrophic EF-4 tornado tore through Elkhorn, Nebraska, and surrounding areas. With 170 mph winds carving a 32-mile path of destruction, entire neighborhoods were reduced to rubble. Homes were flattened, belongings scattered like leaves in the wind and families left standing amid devastation, their lives forever changed. One of those families was the Braughtons. Katrina Braughton, her husband Paul and their four children lost the home Katrina had cherished since she was in sixth grade—a home her father had built with his own hands. The tornado shattered windows, ripped apart the garage and drove a tree through the middle of their entryway. Left without a kitchen table to eat at, beds to sleep on or a couch for family movie nights, they found themselves overwhelmed and in shock. “The reality hit when I looked out the basement window,” Katrina said. “I spent my whole life looking out that window at the neighbors’ houses. But this time, they were gone—completely gone. That’s when the panic set in.” After a week of living in limbo, the family moved into an apartment, but starting over felt daunting. “We didn’t have anything,” Katrina shared. “I was grieving the loss of the home I grew up in. I didn’t know how to start finding normalcy again.” In the face of this unimaginable loss, Baxter Subaru La Vista and The Furniture Project stepped up. For years, Baxter Subaru La Vista has been a proud supporter of The Furniture Project, donating trucks, hosting furniture drives and contributing over $91,000 to help furnish more than 2,700 family homes. When the tornado struck, their partnership became a lifeline for an entire community. “One day, The Furniture Project called and said they were coming to deliver furniture,” Katrina recalled. “Before I knew it, they were at our door with everything we needed to make our temporary apartment feel like home.” The team brought beds, sheets, pillows, dressers, a couch, barstools and an entertainment center. “They did everything,” she said. “They even brought a bed for our dog! All I had to do was show them where to put things.” While The Furniture Project worked tirelessly to help families like the Braughtons, they quickly faced a new challenge: limited delivery capacity. “The need was overwhelming, but without more trucks, we couldn’t reach everyone who needed us,” said Matt Hoppe, executive director of The Furniture Project. When The Furniture Project called for help, Baxter Subaru La Vista answered immediately, loaning a box truck to expand delivery capabilities. This wasn’t just a truck—it was a lifeline, enabling them to bring furniture and household essentials to over 150 tornado-displaced individuals in the weeks following the disaster. “These deliveries weren’t just about providing beds and sofas,” Hoppe explained. “They were about giving families a foundation to rebuild their lives.” Reflecting on the help her family received, Katrina said: “When everything is swept away, being able to say to your children, ‘This is your bed,’ and to give them a place to call their own—it’s indescribable. It was amazing.” Two months later, Baxter Subaru La Vista went even further, permanently donating the truck to The Furniture Project. This extraordinary act ensured they could continue to serve not just tornado victims but countless families in need. “This truck has transformed what we can do,” Hoppe said. “With three fully staffed trucks on the road, we furnished 1,622 family homes in 2024 alone. Baxter Subaru La Vista’s generosity ensures we can keep delivering hope, no matter how big the need.” Since 2022, Baxter Subaru La Vista has supported The Furniture Project in numerous ways, including funding 107 cribs for families and collecting household items through furniture drives. Their commitment goes beyond disaster relief—they are dedicated to creating a community where every family has the comfort and dignity of a furnished home. “When disaster struck, we knew we had to act,” said Tristan Skaff, general manager of Baxter Subaru La Vista. “Supporting The Furniture Project means supporting our neighbors and ensuring no one faces hardship alone.” Though the tornado left a trail of destruction, it also revealed something more enduring: the resilience of a community united by compassion. With every bed, every couch and every truckload of furniture delivered, Baxter Subaru La Vista and The Furniture Project are proving that hope can always be restored—one family at a time.
When Htoo Shee was just two years old, he and his family arrived in Omaha in 2009. They had fled a refugee camp in Thailand, hoping for a better future. But their journey wasn’t easy. His mother, who had brain cancer, needed urgent care in the United States, and his father had to juggle work and raising three children. “My dad did everything he could for us,” Htoo Shee recalls. “But it was really hard. We didn’t have a car. We didn’t have furniture. We slept on the floor.” Their first home was more of a shelter than a sanctuary. Without basic household items, Htoo Shee’s family struggled to find comfort and routine. “The house was always a mess,” he says. “We didn’t know how to use things like cleaning supplies. If we’d had organizations like The Furniture Project back then, things would’ve been so much easier. My dad could have spent more time with us and kept us connected to our culture and history.” Today, Htoo Shee is giving families the help he wishes his own had received. As a warehouse and delivery assistant at The Furniture Project, he helps provide essential household items to refugees and families in need. “For us, it looks like a job,” he says, smiling. “But we’re really impacting lives every single day. Families are so appreciative. It makes my day.” The Furniture Project offers more than just furniture—it restores dignity and creates a foundation for stability. Families who once slept on cold floors now have beds. Parents who once served meals on makeshift tables can gather their children around a proper dining set. It’s a simple yet profound change, one that Htoo Shee understands deeply. Baxter Subaru La Vista’s support has amplified this impact significantly, playing a crucial role in expanding The Furniture Project’s reach and serving more families than ever before. “Before Baxter Subaru La Vista’s support, we only had one delivery truck,” Htoo Shee explains. “We could help maybe one or two families a day. Now, thanks to Baxter Subaru La Vista’s donation of three trucks, we can serve five to six families a day. It’s incredible. We can tangibly see the difference they’ve made.” But Baxter Subaru La Vista’s contributions go even further. In addition to donating and maintaining these three delivery trucks, they have donated over $91,000 since 2022. This generous support has directly funded the purchase of 107 cribs and helped furnish more than 2,717 family homes. Their continued commitment ensures that these vehicles stay on the road, delivering essential furniture to families who need it most. Baxter Subaru La Vista has also hosted multiple furniture drives, collecting a significant amount of household items that help families transition into homes filled with comfort and dignity. “It’s not just about the trucks,” Htoo Shee says. “It’s about the message that there are people out there who care. Baxter Subaru La Vista’s support shows families that they’re not alone. That’s something I want every refugee family to know.” Htoo Shee’s journey has come full circle. He’s gone from a child sleeping on the floor to a young man making sure others have a place to rest. Through leadership programs in high school like Thrive, he’s developed skills that help him dream bigger—whether it’s getting into day trading or continuing to amplify his impact at The Furniture Project. “I work for The Furniture Project because I want to make a difference in the lives of people who are going through what I once did. My philosophy is simple: it takes nothing to be kind and show you care.” Thanks to The Furniture Project and the unwavering support of partners like Baxter Subaru La Vista, Htoo Shee’s kindness is helping turn empty rooms into homes and uncertainty into hope.
On Jan. 15, the team at Baxter Subaru La Vista, in partnership with Operation Warm, delivered warmth and hope to children supported by Project Harmony. Through a generous donation of $5,000 worth of brand-new winter coats, they aimed to provide comfort to kids who need it most. Due to the sensitive nature of Project Harmony’s mission, the event was a drop-off-only affair to ensure the privacy and safety of the children. Despite this, the day was filled with meaningful connection and understanding. After arriving, the Baxter Subaru team was guided to a room where they learned more about Project Harmony’s incredible work. From addressing child abuse and neglect to supporting missing and at-risk youth, Project Harmony’s dedication to the community shone brightly. "At first, we were a little disappointed we couldn’t meet the kids," Anna Morrison, general manager at Baxter Subaru La Vista said. "But when we learned about their experiences and why privacy is so important, it all made sense. We realized the power of supporting someone even if you can’t see or touch them." Anna added: "Learning about all the different services Project Harmony offers had a huge impact on us. It’s heartwarming to know that right in our own community, there’s an organization so dedicated to caring for vulnerable youth and breaking cycles of trauma." The day left the Baxter Subaru La Vista team moved and inspired, knowing their donation would make a real difference. It was more than just delivering coats—it was about supporting a brighter, safer future for children in need. In the spirit of Subaru Loves to Help, Baxter Subaru La Vista’s partnership with Operation Warm and Project Harmony is a reminder that even a simple act of warmth can change lives. This donation ensures that every child can feel a little more secure, loved and prepared to face the cold months ahead.
Baxter Subaru has supported The Furniture Project through its Share the Love Event since 2022. Through just two years of the program, Baxter Subaru has donated over $91,000, making a major difference in the lives of the folks we serve. Since 2022, The Furniture Project has furnished over 2,300 family homes, impacting the lives of 15,000 members of our community. During this time, The Furniture Project has given away over 3,000 beds, 150 new cribs, and countless couches, kitchen tables, and dressers. All of this would not be possible without the amazing support of Baxter Subaru through the Share the Love Event. Beyond the monetary donation that allows The Furniture Project to purchase new items, hire staff and maintain its trucks, the exposure we have received is invaluable. As a donations based organization, it is so important for folks to know what we do and how they can help. Nothing has been more beneficial to informing the public than the wonderful folks at Baxter Subaru and their continued support through the Share the Love Event. From all of us at The Furniture Project, thank you!
When tornados ripped through western Douglas County in April of 2024, The Furniture Project responded by providing furniture and housewares to those who were displaced. These folks needed immediate assistance in addition to the families already being served. We identified the biggest roadblock would be having enough vehicles to meet the community's needs. The Furniture Project reached out to Baxter Subaru for support and they stepped to the table. The Furniture Project was loaned a box truck that greatly increased capacity and allowed us to serve the victims of the tornado in addition to the current client list. All total, The Furniture Project provided furniture and household items to over 150 individuals displaced by the tornado. Two months after The Furniture Project asked Baxter Subaru to assist with tornado relief we received a surprising call. Baxter Subaru donated the truck they had loaned to The Furniture Project. The gift of the truck has made an enormous impact in the ability for us to provide assistance to the vulnerable members of our community. Now, The Furniture Project has three fully staffed trucks on the road, delivering furniture and picking up donated items. With this third truck, The Furniture Project will furnish more than 1,500 family homes in 2024. All of us at The Furniture Project are so thankful for Baxter Subaru's commitment to making the community a better place. We could not do what we do without them.
On the morning of Oct. 4, the Baxter Subaru La Vista team arrived at Mari Sandoz Elementary School with 15 classroom supply kits in tow, filled with essential items like markers, crayons, pencils, dry-erase boards and other tools to help students thrive in their learning environment. Partnering with AdoptAClassroom.org as part of the Subaru Loves Learning initiative, this visit marked Baxter Subaru La Vista’s continued commitment to supporting local education. Principal Katie Holt welcomed the Subaru team warmly, saying, “At Mari Sandoz Elementary, our goal is to provide every student with the resources they need to succeed. Thanks to Baxter Subaru La Vista, our classrooms are now better equipped, and our students feel seen and supported.” The event wasn’t just about delivering supplies; it was about creating connections. Team members spent time reading books, drawing pictures and chatting with students, with the conversation turning festive as kids eagerly shared their Halloween plans. “Seeing the kids light up over something as simple as a new box of crayons or sharing their Halloween costume ideas reminds us why we do this,” said Tristan Skaff, general manager at Baxter Subaru La Vista. For the staff at Mari Sandoz Elementary, the donation was a lifeline. “These supplies make such a difference,” Katie shared. “It’s heartwarming to see a local business care so deeply about our students.” Baxter Subaru La Vista’s adoption of Mari Sandoz Elementary is a testament to their commitment to supporting education and ensuring all students have access to quality learning resources. “Through our partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org, we’ve supported 1,125 students in high-need schools,” Tristan said. “And we’re just getting started.”
On June 28, the Baxter Subaru La Vista team set out on a heartfelt mission to provide support and encouragement to patients and families navigating the challenges of cancer treatment. As part of the Subaru Loves to Care initiative, the team visited the CHI Health Henry Lynch Cancer Center, delivering vital resources and heartfelt messages of compassion. The visit kicked off with gifting 30 patient care kits, thoughtfully packed with warm blankets, comforting items and handwritten notes. “Sometimes it’s the small gestures that remind people they’re not alone,” shared Tristan Skaff, general manager at Baxter Subaru La Vista. “Through Subaru Loves to Care, we’re committed to being there for our community when it’s needed most.” The team’s generosity didn’t stop there. In partnership with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Urgent Need Program, Baxter Subaru La Vista provided financial relief to 10 pediatric blood cancer households. A $5,000 donation to the LLS Patient Aid Program offered each family $500 to help alleviate non-medical expenses such as transportation, food, housing and utilities – support that makes a meaningful difference during a challenging time. This initiative showcased the Subaru team’s dedication to their community. The gratitude of patients, families and staff was palpable as the team wrapped up their visit, leaving behind not only tangible resources but also a lasting sense of care and connection. “At Subaru, love is more than a word – it’s a promise to stand by those who need it most,” Tristan reflected. “We’re proud to support the incredible work of CHI Health and the LLS, and we’re honored to make a difference in our local community.”
A home for hope: Baxter Subaru La Vista and The Furniture Project The soft, cool bed we collapse into after a sweltering summer day. The laughter around the kitchen table as our kids recount their recess adventures on the playground that day. The couch we pile onto for family movie nights, complete with popcorn and lost Lego pieces wedged between the cushions. These are all simple pleasures we often take for granted. But for many, these are luxuries that transform a house into a home—luxuries that some people can only dream of having. Baxter Subaru La Vista is proud to partner with The Furniture Project, a local nonprofit dedicated to making these dreams a reality. By providing essential household items to families facing challenging circumstances, The Furniture Project creates spaces where hope and healing can flourish. This partnership aligns perfectly with the Subaru Love Promise, as we work together to build a stronger, more compassionate community. Founded in 2013 by Omaha firefighter Drew Gerken, The Furniture Project began with a powerful moment of realization. While on a call, Drew and his colleagues encountered a family living without any furniture. When asked where they slept, one child led them to a room with suitcases on the floor, from which they pulled clothes to sleep on and cover themselves with. This heart-wrenching experience ignited a movement that now operates out of an 18,000-square-foot donation warehouse, accepting gently used furniture, appliances, kitchenware, linens and other household items to donate to families in need. Deeply moved by The Furniture Project’s mission, Baxter Subaru La Vista first partnered with the organization in 2022 by hosting furniture drives and making monetary donations. Our commitment to this cause has only deepened since then, spanning from donating over $91,000 to directly supporting the purchase of 107 cribs and helping furnish over 2,717 family homes since 2022. We’ve also hosted multiple furniture drives, collecting a significant amount of essential household items. Most recently, in the wake of a devastating tornado in Omaha in the spring of 2024, The Furniture Project has been focused on helping affected families. To support these increased needs, Baxter Subaru La Vista jumped in to lend a third truck to help with deliveries. This addition significantly increased the organization's capacity to serve even more families in need. However, our support didn't stop there. At a surprise event where we awarded Drew Gerken the inaugural Community Hero Award, we announced that the truck was theirs to keep as a token of our appreciation for his tireless work and dedication to the community. To date, our support of The Furniture Project has resulted in over $910,000 worth of items redeployed into the community, transforming countless lives. However, this is just the beginning of our ongoing partnership with The Furniture Project. Baxter Subaru La Vista remains steadfast in our dedication to supporting this incredible organization, living out Subaru’s Love Promise commitment to caring for our community and making a real difference in the lives of our neighbors. Together, we are turning houses into homes and fostering a spirit of hope and compassion in Omaha.
Subaru La Vista truly knows what a community partnership is all about. This fantastic team hosted an adoption event for the Nebraska Humane Society at the La Vista dealership during October’s Subaru Loves Pets Month. Two of the 4 dogs that were at the event found their forever homes, and the other two had plenty of interest and a fun outing. Thanks to Lawrence Weatherall and his team for allowing local folks to interact with the dogs and also for sponsoring discounted adoption fees on the day of the event. That made all the difference for these dogs who received their second chances! Showcasing dogs outside of the shelter helps bring out their personalities in a more “normal” environment and allows the dogs to shine for the adopters. The volunteers who handled the dogs were so excited to be able to give the dogs a “field trip” and the adopters enjoyed the relaxed environment as well. Additionally, Subaru La Vista’s local sponsorship made it possible for the Nebraska Humane Society to qualify for more than 3 thousand additional dollars in donations for the more than 30 dogs adopted during the entire month. But Subaru La Vista doesn’t stop at the month of October. They provide year-round support to homeless animals, offering sponsorships to fundraising events like Dining with Dogs and The Margre Durham Walk & Dog Fest. They work with their corporate partners to provide NHS with many opportunities for philanthropic help. Lawrence Weatherall and his dog loving team certainly know how to make a dog’s day!
Sandoz is a Title 1 building in the heart of Millard. Many times students rely on donations to obtain their school's supplies. With the help of Baxter Subaru, the building was gifted markers, crayons, colored pencils, etc. to ensure that students have the necessary materials they need to learn. Thank you, Baxter Subaru for your support!
My story began as I left Colorado heading to Goshen, IN for my father's 100th birthday celebration. Traffic was light with a brief shower...good weather. As I got to La Vista, NE going maybe over 80 in the high speed lane, a car pulled up next to me, blew his horn and motioned me over to the median strip. I pulled over and so did he and he walked back to tell me my passenger rear tire was low or ready to blow and I should get off at the next exit and try to put air in it. I was a wreck...put on my flashers and looked at the 4 lanes of traffic I needed to cross to get to the breakdown lane. Miraculously there appeared a huge space between me and oncoming traffic so I pulled over at 20 MPH to the breakdown lane. I could see the next exit where there was a truck stop. I know traveling on a flat tire can damage the rim so I didn't know how far I could go. As I pulled off, the first building was a tire store...I pulled up to the door which had a sign saying they were closed Sat and Sun...this was a Saturday! I then pulled into the truck stop...shaking...and got out to look at the tire...I knocked on the window of a truck next to me and asked how to turn off my flashers and explained I was looking for an air machine. The guy was helpful and said he would follow me back to the semi truck area and look. We asked a couple truckers who said it didn't work and I needed to go to the next truck stop down the road where they had an air machine. Once again I got in my car and prayed I would make it to the next stop. A car was parked in front of the air machine but before long a man came out to move his car. I pulled in and put money in the machine. Air would not go into the tire...that apparently was not a fix. I pulled out of the way and in a panic saw my Starlink button and talked to the woman who answered. She knew my location and said she'd sent guys to change my tire to the spare. About 45 minutes later 2 men showed up in a pick up truck with no logo but began unloading my packed car and change the tire. They were wonderful and kind and asked where I was going. I said IN and they said you can't go more than 50 miles on this spare...you need a new tire. Again I was overwhelmed and they said they knew of a Subaru dealership down the road...3 exits, turn left then right and I googled them and they were open till 6... I found the dealership with their directions and parked in front. I went in telling the first sales person I saw that I needed a tire...mine was flat. He said the service department had closed at 3...it was now 4:30. I almost fainted. He was wonderful and didn't want me on the floor so he took me over to get water and offered snacks and got me to sit down. He said they would try and see what they could do to help me. Over the next 2-3 hours he and 3 other young men spent their time trying to come up with a solution for me. We went outside at one point to check the bad tire. They were amazed it hadn't blown out the side of the car fender...apparently that is wht usually happens. If that had happened I would have crashed, causing me and other people life threatening injuries or death. They then suggested if I bought a tire locally they would put it on for me. I obviously didn't know the area...so they started calling Costco, Walmart, tire stores, and no one had my tire. One tire store wanted to sell me a tire than had different tread and was overpriced. The guys said that is a bad deal...don't do that. At that point I expressed my plan to sleep in the car or get a room till Monday morning when the service dept opened...which was not optimal. They then said they would try to contact the service dept manager to see if he would be willing to return and open up. I couldn't believe these young men were willing to stick with me on a Saturday night when they should br out partying! The service manager was working on his own truck and had his transmission all over the garage...so no transportation. He was willing, however, to come in if someone went to get him. The guys agreed and took off to go pick him up! He returned 1/2 hour later and opened up the service department and the guys came to get my keys. They put on the tire and replaced the spare and as I paid for the tire told them I wanted a business card with the address and name of the sales rep who had stayed with me orchestrating this whole rescue! He gave me his card and his name was Jesus!! I couldn't believe it! My dad was surely at home praying for me safety and here was Jesus! I told him I was traveling to my dads 100th birthday and he said that day was his birthday! We hugged it out and I said I'd send a gift card for him and the service manager in appreciation of their unbelievable service and help. On the way out I was asking how I could write a review of the outstanding service I received from the General Manager. He told me about their website having a place to write My Story. So this is my story. Sincerely submitted, Barbara Kusinitz
CHI Health thanks Baxter Subaru La Vista for their generous donation of 80 warm blankets, patient care kits, and $5,000 through the Subaru Loves to Care® initiative. They personally delivered the blankets and care kits along with handwritten messages of hope to patients at CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center – Bergan Mercy on Thursday, June 22, 2023. Additionally, they provided free specialty coffee drinks via a fun food truck for the staff that work at the Henry Lynch Cancer Center. The caffeine boost was appreciated by everyone! We are so thankful for our community partner, Baxter Subaru LaVista, who cares for the physical and emotional needs of our cancer patients. Together we can make a difference in the lives of many in the Omaha community.
Siena Francis House would like to express its gratitude for the recent support of Baxter Subaru. On February 16, 2023, Baxter Subaru made a donation of 1,500 pairs of socks to Siena Francis House. The Baxter Subaru team showed up in the middle of snow storm, with over six inches already on the ground and more falling around them as the socks were unloaded! This extraordinary donation will make a meaningful difference in the lives of our clients. Individuals experiencing homelessness may not have access to the clothing items most of us take for granted; Siena Francis House is able to meet these basic needs thanks to donations from community partners like Baxter Subaru. This donation was made possible by the Subaru Loves to Help® initiative, and represents a joint effort by Baxter Subaru Omaha and Baxter Subaru La Vista. Thank you Baxter Subaru for supporting Siena Francis House and those who need it most in our community!
The seed that would grow into the Furniture Project was planted in 2013, when Drew Gerken and several of his colleagues on the Omaha Fire Department met a family who did not have any furniture. When asked where they slept, the children showed the firefighters their suitcases and said that they put some of their clothing on the floor and cover up in the remaining. The firefighters returned to the fire station and decided that they must try to do something. They reached out via social media and within a day were able to fully furnish this small apartment and had a few things left over. That first family may have no idea what an impact they made on the community that day, but they continue to inspire us to go out and serve those in need. Baxter Subaru La Vista's sponsorship of The Furniture Project's two delivery trucks and creation of the Subaru Goodwill Fund will allow us to deliver not only furniture, but also hope. We are so grateful that Baxter Subaru La Vista is standing with The Furniture Project as we work together to give our neighbors comfortable beds to sleep in, a kitchen table to sit at, and a furnished space to be a family.
I was watching television recently, and saw your commercial, Long Lonely Road. It brought tears to my eyes, and inspired me to write to you about a special group of senior dogs living at Promise 4 Paws Senior Dog Sanctuary, 1027 S. 3rd Street in Council Bluffs, IA. You can learn more about us and our mission by visiting www.promise4pawsdogrescue.com For the past 12 years Cathy Graeve, and a dedicated group of volunteers have operated this non-profit 501(c)3 dog rescue and provided a last home for 100’s of senior dogs. My husband and I have been volunteers there for close to 4 years. Some of their stories are heartbreaking, but now they’re home, with volunteers who care for them and spoil them at every opportunity. It’s their home, with couches, chairs, comfy beds and a backyard they can access at any time. Our senior residents come from area Humane Societies, local dog rescues, and owner surrenders. Many come to in pairs, either siblings or kennel mates, but those that come to us alone soon find lasting friendship with the other dogs at the sanctuary. Cathy is well known in the community for her tireless efforts and dedication to provide a last home for senior dogs. Depending on their overall health when they come to the sanctuary, some live for a just a few months, others live for a few years. When one of our residents passes away, she usually knows of another dog that has been waiting for home. On average we have 25-30 dogs living at the sanctuary at any one time. It’s truly amazing how well they get along. Each dog that comes to the sanctuary is taken to our local vet for an exam, several of our dogs are on medications and as you might imagine, their initial dental care is a significant expense. We rely on donations from the community for household needs; cleaning supplies, pee pads, towels, blankets and beds, and the expenses of a running home, including utilities. When I decided to write this letter, I sent out a text to our volunteer group and learned that almost half, 9 out of 20 of us, own Subaru’s, including Cathy Graeve and myself. That prompted some spirited conversation between the volunteers about their next car purchase. We recognize there are so many people and organizations in need but would be grateful for any donation from Subaru to help us to continue to operate our sanctuary and to provide a last home for senior dogs. We’re committed to making their last years, their best years! If you would like to speak with Cathy Graeve, her cell is (402) 669-3224 or you can email her at [email protected]. Kind Regards, Pat Vlcan
Baxter Subaru La Vista is a full circle partner when it comes to supporting pets. Their sponsorship of the Nebraska Humane Society’s Margre Durham Walk for the Animals helped NHS exceed the event’s 2022 fundraising goal. But support from dedicated sponsors like Baxter also builds the foundation for pet owners to enjoy their pets, by providing participants with a pet friendly festival that strengthens the Human-Animal bond. Baxter Subaru La Vista also opened their dealership for an adoption event on the 4th annual National Make a Dog’s Day. Hosting the Pet Adoption on Wheels (PAW) gave adoptable pets the chance to showcase themselves away from the shelter and gave them exposure to a whole new set of potential adopters. Baxter Subaru La Vista also partnered with NHS during the month of October for the Subaru Loves Pets Adoption Campaign. The entire month of October, Subaru promoted adoptions of long-term pets at the Nebraska Humane Society. Subaru also donated to the agency for the first 30 dogs adopted during the month. We are so grateful to Baxter Subaru La Vista for their part in helping deserving animals find second chances at new lives. And in doing that--bettering our community for pets and the people who love them.
Baxter Subaru La Vista believes all students deserve an equal and fair opportunity at a quality education. That's why we were honored to raise money for school supplies that were donated to Mari Sandoz Elementary School. As part of the national Subaru Loves Learning initiative, Baxter Subaru La Vista raised $7,500 for school supplies that included Crayons, markers, whiteboards, headphones, Lysol wipes, and many other educational necessities. The donations helped support 375 students and 15 classrooms. One educator remarked, "Thank you again for the donation to Sandoz Elementary. These items will positively impact all students in our building and allow teachers to expand on the great things they do each day in the classroom." The joy on the students' faces was just as rewarding as the appreciation from the teachers and staff. Making a positive impact on education in our local community is a gratifying experience that will pay dividends for many years to come. Thank you to all the hard-working teachers for all that you do!
Our family has been to three Boxers at Baxter events at three different locations; First in 2018 (Baxter at Westroads), then at Baxter near Village Pointe for the grand opening in 2019 (where we met Tom Doll) and then the most recent one at the new LaVista location, meeting Scott Speed! We enjoy going to car shows, this is what we do! The first Boxers at Baxter event that we went to, was the first car show we were able to take our kids to, as it was close and family friendly. I remember it was so hot that year but our kids still had a good time (as they enjoyed seeing all of the dogs people brought with them) and we of course loved seeing the cars! I remember the grand opening event at Village Pointe, and hearing Tom Doll speak about how proud he was to be part of Subaru and how awesome it was to be at the grand opening event at Baxter. Another thing that stood out was your team member playing the guitar in the lobby (very talented) and everyone gathering around to listen! The most recent event was one for the books, as Scott Speed signed my car and I received the first place award on my Series.White WRX! We still haven’t managed to win the Legos set, but we’ll keep trying, It’s awesome going to these events as a family. We typically bring two of our Subarus (out of six) to the event and continue to show each other who is the better driver (me or my husband) on the way. I think I give him a run for his money!
Stephen Center, a homeless shelter in South Omaha, was blessed by Baxter Subaru La Vista employees on Monday, November 8. Employees delivered 51 blankets and 7 scarves for people experiencing homelessness served by the shelter. But then the employees went above and beyond, sticking around after the delivery to deep clean the dining room. When that task was done, they served lunch to men, women and children at the shelter. “Beyond a warm meal, the folks from Baxter Subaru really connected with our clients, visiting with them over lunch. That connection is so important to help people have hope when going through a housing crisis,” Stephen Center Community Engagement Manager Beth Ellis said. “We are so grateful for everything Subaru and its employees did for Stephen Center.”
Did Baxter Subaru La Vista go above and beyond, provide exceptional service, or support causes that are important to you? We'd love to hear about it.
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