Rich Center receives donation from auto dealers

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The Automobile Dealers Association of Eastern Ohio raised $47,873 for The Rich Center for Autism at Youngstown State University. The check for the record-breaking donation was presented July 7 at Boardman Subaru. Present for the ceremony were, from left to right, Tricia Perry and Phyllis Ricchuti, both of the Rich Center; Rob Fellman, chairman and new ADAEO board president, of Boardman Subaru; Steve Chos, executive vice president of the ADAEO; John Kufleitner of Columbiana Chrysler, Jeep Dodge; and Tom Levak and Steve Bott of Mark Thomas Ford.

BOARDMAN

The Automobile Dealers Association of Eastern Ohio announces that a charity auction May 1, part of its President’s Gala, generated a record amount of $47,873 for the Rich Center for Autism at Youngstown State University. The amount takes the 12-year total of charitable contributions raised by the annual event to $399,088.

The Rich Center is dedicated to improving the lives of those who have autism and their families through the creation, use and enhancement of innovative education programs specifically designed to ensure a life of dignity and to enhance their opportunities to achieve their potential.

Although area car and truck dealers have long contributed to local charities individually, the dealers organization annually conducts this collective effort as a way of assisting others in our community.

Members of this year’s guidance committee include its chairman and new ADAEO board president, Rob Fellman of Boardman Subaru; Russ Banks of Banks Chevrolet, Warren, immediate past president; Greg Greenwood of Greenwood Chevrolet, Austintown; Jon Kufleitner of Columbiana Chrysler Jeep Dodge; Tom Levak and Steve Bott of Mark Thomas Ford of Cortland; Donny Murphy of Donnell Ford in Boardman; Jim Whetstone of Acura of Boardman; ADAEO Executive Vice President Steve Chos, and ADAEO Administrative Assistant, Cathy Swegan. J. Paul Basinger and the staff of Basinger Auction Service, North Lima, conducted the auction,.

ADAEO was founded in 1964 and includes new vehicle dealerships and related businesses in Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties. For more information about the association call Chos at 339-759-1111.