RECENT RECIPIENTS
The Used Car Dealers of Colorado Charity Fund is honored to support PeaceWorks and their vital work providing crisis intervention, advocacy, and safe spaces for survivors of relationship violence, sexual assault, and trafficking. Since 1986, they’ve served individuals, children, and even pets across Colorado, helping communities heal and thrive. (Pictured L to R are board member John Lindberg, PeaceWorks Executive Director Sabrina Fritts and CIADA CEO David Cardella.)
On January 24, 2025, the Used Car Dealers of Colorado Charity Fund presented a check to the Forgotten Heroes Campaign. The Forgotten Heroes Campaign directs searches for veterans who have honorably served their country, and presents them and their family member(s); medals; awards; ribbons and badges earned but never received.
The Used Car Dealers of Colorado Charity Fund is proud to have recently presented Access Gallery with a check for their “2024 Fund a Need” fundraiser.
On Saturday, January 27th, Nick Clark, a 37-year-old employee at Automotive Imports, fell ill while in the midst of a transaction. He excused himself to the break room. Despite being in top physical condition and gearing up for a triathlon, tragedy struck that very day as Nick suffered a fatal heart attack. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Kasey, and their two sons, eleven-year-old Grayson and seven-year-old Jamie. In support of the grieving family, the Used Car Dealers Charity Fund of Colorado presented Kasey with a generous donation of $5,000. This contribution aims to ease the burden during this challenging period. Your contributions at our Charity Gala make initiatives like this possible. We invite you to mark your calendars for November 16th and join us for this year’s event.ves.
Used Car Dealers Charity Fund donates $5,000 dollars to the Forgotten Heroes Campaign. Accepting the check is Steve Segal who was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Bravery along with a Purple Heart Medal for his injuries in Vietnam, Korean War Veteran Barry Fiore and Walden Walker. This organization has awarded 1015 medals to 96 Veterans who where never recognized for their sacrifice on behalf of the USA. Join us in saying THANK YOU!
Nuhamin Bogale is a long distance runner who moved to Colorado for training. In April 2022 her training and schooling to become a nurse was abruptly interrupted when she was in accident with a hit and run driver. After eight days in ICU, doctors informed her she may never walk again. She has won 3 gold and 1 bronze medal competing in marathons and she refused to accept that outcome. She has made tremendous strides in her recovery and is now using a walker. Used Car Dealers Charity Fund of Colorado presented her with a $5,000 check to help pay bills, so she could concentrate on healing. Charity President Lindberg, CIADA President Tesfaye and CEO Cardella represented the Charity Fund donors.
Other recent contributions include funds to help ease the pain of Adam Nunez and his brother, who recently lost their mother, father and two younger sisters in a horrific car accident.
In February 2024, the Used Car Dealers Charity Fund of Colorado made a $2500 donation to PeaceWorks, a non-profit charity assisting survivors of relationship violence/abuse, domestic violence, teen dating violence, and stalking, sex trafficking and sexual assault outside of relationship violence. PeaceWorks owns and operates Safe Shelter, a temporary secure, and confidential home for individuals, families, and pets that are experiencing issues with violence. Pictured above left to right: David Cardella – CIADA CEO, Kasey Clark – Donation Recipient, Dave Guttenberg – CIADA Director, John Lindberg – Charity Fund Director, Mike Whistance – CIADA President, Sabrina Fritts – Executive Director of Programs at PeaceWorks
In February 2023, the Used Car Dealers Charity Fund of Colorado presented Access Gallery a check for $7,500. Every year these young artists create artwork for our Charity Gala, which we auction off to support them. In February, we found out one of their artists AJ was chosen by New Belgium Brewery to design the artwork for their t-shirts and glasses. Go to the New Belgium Brewery website to support the artists by ordering your t-shirts and glasses. We are honored to support this wonderful group for the ninth year.
We also closed out 2024 when Teshome Tesfaye, Dean Gunter and David Cardella visited our friend Scott Goodhue, a great auctioneer, at the hospital. Charity funds are helping to ease the pressure of his mounting hospital expenses.
In early 2024, Sharon Boitnott’s home was burned down in a tragic accident. Then, in March The Used Car Dealers Charity Fund of Colorado made a $5000 donation to assist in her interim expenses. Pictured above left to right: Dean Gunter – Charity Fund Director, David Cardella – CIADA CEO, Sharon Boitnott – Donation Recipient, and John Lindberg – Charity Fund Director
In January 2023, Angels of America’s Fallen was honored to receive $76,000 from CIADA as part of the annual Gala held Nov. 12. “Angels of America’s Fallen is very grateful to the Colorado Independent Automobile Dealers Association for this impactful donation,” said Joe Lewis, CEO of Angels of America’s Fallen. “CIADA’s collective support through its network of independent dealers will go a long way in our ambitious efforts to enroll an additional 100 children of our fallen heroes by the end of 2023 for a total of 550 supported children. Our Angels program exists solely through the generous support from its community.”