Chapman goes into overdrive for charities

Chapman Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram and Chapman Chrysler Jeep presented comedy hypnotist Marc Savard with a $5,000 check for local charities after his win on Mark and Mercedes’ “DJing with the Stars” competition earlier this month.

During the recent five-week competition, which was held Wednesdays during the “Mark and Mercedes in the Morning” on KMXB-94.1 FM, the celebrities performed a designated task to showcase their DJ skills on air. With the show’s host and listeners as the judges, celebrities were voted off each week. In the end, Savard won the $5,000 for his chosen charities, Stop DUI and Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

“This has been a great five weeks and I’m so appreciative for the opportunity,” Savard said. “A big thank you to Chapman Automotive and their general managers Don Hamrick and Gary Brewer. Without their willingness to give $5,000 this wouldn’t be possible.”

Nine local celebrities participated, including Austin “Chumlee” Russell from the TV show “Pawn Stars,” Claire Sinclair, star of “Pin Up” at the Stratosphere, Comedian George Wallace from Flamingo, Mark Shunock of “Rock of Ages” at The Venetian, Carrot Top from Luxor, Rachel Smith from Fox 5 Las Vegas, Jaymes and James from Chippendales at Rio and Frankie Moreno, a Stratosphere headliner.

As sponsor of the competition, Chapman Automotive kicked into overdrive at the last minute, offering additional dollars to the chosen charities of the remaining three finalists, Smith for Best Buddies, Shunock for Ronald McDonald House and Sinclair for United Way of Southern Nevada.

“I think Gary was hypnotized by winner Marc Savard because he came to me and asked if we could also give away money to three finalists for their respective charities,” said Hamrick, general manager of Chapman Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram. “This was truly a lot of fun for us to listen in each week and the Chapman commercial was most entertaining. ”

“Community involvement is a key platform for us,” said Brewer, general manager of Chapman Chrysler Jeep. “DJing with the Stars was a creative way to involve the community and Chapman is thrilled to have been a part of the fun.”

In addition, hosts Mark DiCiero and Mercedes Martinez Bolt donated $1,000 to the remaining finalists’ charities.

Chapman Chrysler Jeep, at Valley Automall in Henderson, can be reached at 888-207-1687 or online at www.chapmanchryslerjeep.com

Chapman Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram is at 3175 E. Sahara Ave. Call 702-457-1061 or visit www.vegasdcj.com.

Chapman Value Center is at 3470 Boulder Highway. Call 888-299-0170 or visit www.chapmanvaluecenter.com.

Chapman Warm Springs features vehicles chosen from Chapman’s 26 Southwest locations at 1100 W. Springs Road. Call 702-432-2022 or visit www.chapmanwarmsprings.com.

All dealerships are open for sales from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Parts and service are open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.