Weck Auto Group (WAG) and its dedicated WAGcares initiative are deeply committed to giving back to the communities they serve. Through WAGcares, employees from Elgin Kia and Volkswagen of Palatine regularly volunteer their time and resources to support local organizations making a real difference in people’s lives. Here are some of the highlights of WAGcares’ recent community involvement:
Supporting Early Childhood Education with United Way and VOCEL
On a Sunday in May, employees from Elgin Kia and Volkswagen of Palatine volunteered to assemble snack packs for the United Way of Metro Chicago. These packs were then distributed to VOCEL, a United Way partner agency. VOCEL plays a vital role in providing early childhood education programs for young children, families, and schools in under-resourced communities. Their mission is to foster early brain development and lay a strong foundation for future academic and life success. The WAGcares team enjoyed spending time together while contributing to such a worthy cause in their local area.
Enhancing Student Athletics at Larkin High School
WAGcares reached out to Larkin High School in Elgin to identify areas where they could offer support. Learning about the school’s need for new weightlifting equipment, WAGcares stepped in to provide these essential resources for the students. WAGcares representatives even had lunch with some of the school athletes, accompanied by Annie the Saint Bernard, a beloved member of the Weck family!
Partnering with Second City Canine Rescue to Find Homes for Dogs
In March 2023, WAGcares proudly partnered with Second City Canine Rescue, a Palatine-based organization. This partnership is especially meaningful as Rigatoni, Elgin Kia’s backup F&I manager, was rescued from Second City Canine Rescue! Throughout the month, WAGcares raised funds for the rescue and hosted two adoption events. These events successfully helped many dogs find loving forever homes and resulted in a significant donation of toys, leashes, and other dog supplies. The adoption events were a joyful experience for WAG employees, the dogs, and the families who welcomed them home. One employee even adopted a dog!
Supporting the Homeless with JOURNEYS The Road Home
WAGcares collaborated with JOURNEYS The Road Home, an organization providing shelter, services, and housing to individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness across 37 suburban Cook County towns. WAGcares organized a donation drive and collected over six large boxes of cold weather essentials. Donations included jackets, gloves, scarves, hand warmers, and more. JOURNEYS The Road Home shelter is conveniently located near the Volkswagen store in Palatine, making it easy for WAGcares to collect donations from the community. JOURNEYS relies heavily on donations and has successfully helped over 600 clients transition into stable housing over the past eight years.
Spreading Holiday Cheer with United Way’s “Uniting for the Holiday” Event
WAGcares partnered with United Way at Elgin Community College for their festive “drive-through” event during the holiday season. “Uniting for the Holidays” events took place in eight suburban communities, providing meals and gifts to thousands of families throughout the Chicago region, bringing holiday joy to those in need.
Continuing Support for The Salvation Army Toy Drive
Building on their previous year’s success, WAGcares once again sponsored The Salvation Army’s annual toy drive. This year, WAGcares purchased over 200 toys, requiring two shopping trips to Target and Walmart with over five shopping carts filled with gifts for children of all ages. Two WAG team members took on the shopping this year and found it incredibly rewarding to purchase gifts for children who truly deserve a joyful holiday season. The abundance of gifts collected brought immense holiday cheer to the WAG team, highlighting the impact of their contributions.
Supporting Families Affected by Pediatric Brain Cancer through The Violet Foundation
In October 2022, WAGcares proudly sponsored The Violet Foundation, an organization with a deeply personal connection to the Weck Auto Group. The foundation was created by close family friends who tragically lost their daughter, Violet, to pediatric brain cancer. The Violet Foundation is dedicated to advancing treatment options for families facing this devastating disease. Their mission is to prevent other children and families from enduring the suffering Violet experienced. In its short time since launching, The Violet Foundation has already assisted six families undergoing treatment. WAGcares is honored to support their vital work.
Providing Hope and Healing with Chicago Survivors
As part of their commitment to making the holidays brighter for families across Chicagoland, WAGcares partnered with Chicago Survivors. WAGcares made a group donation of toys and sponsored two children through this non-profit organization. Chicago Survivors offers crucial support to families affected by violence in Chicago, providing family services, counseling, advice, and financial assistance from the immediate aftermath of tragedy. Last year, Chicago Survivors provided gifts to over 600 children, and WAGcares was pleased to contribute to this impactful effort.
Rescuing Saint Bernards with Illinois Saint Bernard Rescue (ISBR)
The Weck family has a long history of rescuing and fostering Saint Bernards through Illinois Saint Bernard Rescue (ISBR). ISBR is dedicated to finding forever homes for Saint Bernards in need, and WAGcares is proud to support their mission.
WAG Day of Care with United Way of Metro Chicago
On a Sunday in February 2022, WAGcares partnered with The United Way of the Chicago Metropolitan area for a special “Day of Care.” WAG employees from across dealerships came together to package snack packs for underprivileged children in after-school programs. The team successfully packaged over 500 snack packs, making it a rewarding day of teamwork and community service. Annie the Saint Bernard even made a special appearance to lend a paw!
Holiday Toy Donations with The Salvation Army
During the holiday season, WAGcares continued its partnership with The Salvation Army to donate toys to families in need. WAGcares donated over $2,700 worth of toys, replicating their generous contribution from the previous year. In 2021, The Salvation Army was able to bring holiday happiness to over 800 families in the dealership areas, highlighting the significant impact of WAGcares’ ongoing support.
Supporting Purebred Animal Rescue with Roscoe Rescues
In early 2022, WAGcares partnered with Roscoe Rescues and donated over $5,000. Roscoe Rescues focuses on rescuing purebred animals in need of loving homes. In 2021 alone, this dedicated, female-run organization traveled over 12,000 miles to rescue and transport animals. Despite being only in its second year of operation, Roscoe Rescues is making a remarkable difference in animal welfare.
Addressing Mental Health Awareness with Misericordia and The Brittany Burge Foundation
In May 2022, WAGcares partnered with two organizations in recognition of World Mental Health Month. First, WAGcares supported MISERICORDIA, a community dedicated to maximizing the potential of individuals with developmental disabilities. WAGcares also ordered treats from Misericordia’s bakery, which employs individuals from the community, to share with their customers. Additionally, WAGcares partnered with The Brittany Burge Foundation, established in honor of the Weck family’s sister-in-law who passed away from addiction. WAGcares funded kennel services for an individual completing a 90-day addiction treatment program, enabling them to focus on recovery without the worry of pet care. This initiative perfectly embodies the mission of The Brittany Burge Foundation.
Animal Rescue with On Angels’ Wings (OAW)
On Angels’ Wings (OAW) is another animal rescue organization close to the Weck family’s heart, as they have rescued numerous dogs from OAW over the years. In August 2022, WAGcares partnered with OAW, and the rescue even brought adoptable dogs to the dealerships one Saturday. WAGcares donated over $4,000 to support OAW’s efforts to help animals in need. The WAG team also proudly wore OAW t-shirts to raise awareness.
Through WAGcares, Weck Auto Group demonstrates a sustained commitment to making a positive impact on the local community. Their diverse partnerships and volunteer efforts showcase their dedication to supporting those in need, from children and families to animals and vital community organizations.
