Walking for charity

A pair of Findlay Automotive Group dealerships in the Valley Automall joined forces to sponsor and boost the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s annual Light the Night walk at Kellogg Zaher Park at Buffalo and Washington avenues Nov. 2.

Findlay Cadillac and Findlay Honda Henderson employees participated in the event with more than 70 walkers and donated $25,000 to the cause. The event drew more than 1,500 walkers in more than 130 teams and generated an estimated $273,000.

Findlay Honda Henderson General Manager Scott Ramer, whose dealership also raised another $3,000 for the society, serves on the executive committee for Light the Night, while the Findlay Cadillac’s Bob Holder is the board chairman for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Dealership employees also included service receptionists Jasmine Tolentino and Bea Miller, who teamed to raise funds with a variety of special events.

Findlay Cadillac was represented by General Manager John Saksa along with dealership Business Development Manager Felicia Smith and about 18 other employees.

In addition, Findlay Automotive Group Chief Financial Officer Tyler Corder is the former board president of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Southern Nevada chapter.

Walkers in the event carried different colored, illuminated balloons. White balloons were carried by cancer survivors; those who were walking for support carried red balloons and those who were walking in memory of lost loved ones carried gold balloons.

The festival-like atmosphere had music by a DJ, bounce houses, food, and a Hula-Hoop contest. The site was lined with 10 cars from Findlay Honda Henderson and Findlay Cadillac, including cars near the kids’ area. Children sat inside the cars and watched movies.

The funds will aid cancer research; and provide financial assistance for patients for transportation, medication and testing; and free educational materials and events.

In addition, the society provides programs such as the Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection program and family support groups along with advocacy for better treatments and health care reform.

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Campaign Manager Amanda Harris praised the Findlay dealerships for their continued support of the very valuable fundraiser.

“This is Findlay’s second year as a platinum sponsor,” Harris said. “It’s so great what Findlay does for the community.”

The event included teams of walkers of all ages and from all backgrounds, who wore matching shirts and carried banners showing why they are committed to finding a cure for blood cancer. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. LLS funds blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services.

Further information regarding the event can be found by visiting www.lighthenight.org/snv/.

Findlay Automotive Group was founded more than 50 years ago by the late Pete Findlay, whose son Cliff now spearheads dealerships in Nevada, Utah, Arizona and Idaho. Further information regarding the group can be found by visiting www.findlayauto.com.