Share the Love 2015

Written by: Evelyn Stice

November 18^th, 2015

A week from today, most of us will gather around tables laden with mashed potatoes and gravy, candied yams, green bean casserole, stuffing, pumpkin pie, and that glorious, gorgeous, crispy-skinned turkey. And also, for reasons no one really understands, a can-shaped mass of cranberry sauce on a small plate, sliced into dark red gelatinous disks. We will eat ourselves into a stupor with family and friends, and likely at some point set our forks down and express thankfulness for the bounty in our lives, bounty that may even include a brand new Subaru in the driveway.

Most of us really are fortunate. Life isn’t perfect, but when we have the warmth of family and friends, a place we call home, and a fridge full of leftovers, we do indeed have much for which to be thankful. And it’s a great time to share that good fortune with others. Subaru knows this, so starting today and going through January 2, 2016, customers buying or leasing a new Subaru from Continental Subaru can select one of six participating charities to receive a $250 donation, courtesy of Continental Subaru and Subaru of America’s 2015 Share the Love program.

What can $250 do? For any of the six charities listed below, quite a bit. But of course, it’s when all the donations are lumped together that the power of good really makes an impact. In March 2014, Subaru of America and Continental Subaru presented a total of $48,091 to the 2014 Share the Love recipients, the Eva Foundation and the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage. This year, the selected charities—two of them hometown charities selected by Continental Subaru, the rest with Alaskan chapters that will be helped by your purchases—are:

• Meals On Wheels. The Meals On Wheels Association of America provides the elderly with nutritious meals, friendly visits, and safety checks, enabling many to live independently. Locally, MOWAA benefits places like Ninilchik Senior Center, enabling them to continue providing crucial services to area seniors.
• Make-A-Wish. You can help the Make-A-Wish foundation grant life-changing wishes for critically ill children in your area and nationally. Its Washington-Alaska chapter grants an average of 300 wishes a year to kids with life-threatening medical conditions.
• National Park Foundation. Alaska is home to more than 20 stunning national parks. Unfortunately, while interest in the parks is increasing, budget constraints are making it difficult for park staff to continue to offer the programs that inspire generations of national park enthusiasts. The donation you enable can help provide funding for the National Park Foundation to continue those programs throughout the country.
• ASPCA. If you’ve got a soft spot for animals, your $250 could go to the ASPCA, which has been a leading advocate for animals for nearly 150 years, rescuing pets from abuse, introducing more humane legislation, and supporting shelter communities.
• Clare House. Between homelessness and independent living, there is Clare House, one of the local charities in this year’s program. Clare House provides temporary emergency 24-hour shelter to women with children and expectant mothers, along with many services that help bridge the gap to independent living, a crucial step in breaking the cycle of poverty.
• Charlie Elder House. The other local charity in the 2015 Share the Love program, Charlie Elder House provides housing and other services to help homeless teenage boys transition to independent living as productive, happy adults contributing to society. At the house, the boys focus on schoolwork and learn skills such as cooking, doing laundry, and conducting job searches, skills that provide a foundation for adult life.

Most of us have so much to be thankful for this holiday season. If to the usual friends, family, food, home, and health we can add “a new Subaru,” isn’t it great that we can at the same time help those who aren’t quite as fortunate? Any time between now and January 2, come in to Continental Subaru, buy or lease a new Subaru, and $250 will be donated in your behalf to one of the above charities of your choice. Can’t choose? That’s understandable; they’re all worthy causes. In that case, Continental Subaru would be happy to select a charity for you.

Happy holidays, everyone. May 2016 bring you even greater fortune.