Molle Toyota aims to fill Tacoma with Toys for Tots
The toys are piling up in the Toyota Tacoma in the showroom at Molle Toyota, and that does not surprise Jim Seaman.
Seaman, the marketing director at Molle Toyota, 601 W. 103rd St. in Kansas City, believes in the caring nature of all four of Molle dealerships and their customers.
“We have been associated with Toys for Tots in all four of our dealerships for the last four years,” Seaman said. “It is such an important initiative because it helps the children here in Kansas City who are less fortunate to experience the joy of Christmas.
“Our customer base has been great to us. It is a way to give back and continue to give back.”
Since early November, customers and employees have been depositing toys in the Tacoma for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots. The last day will be Dec. 13.
“We hope to have that filled up,” Seaman said. “We are getting there. We have a number of customers that come in for service and they come over and drop off a toy.
“I have it promoted on our website. There is a banner there that talks about all of our locations for Toys for Tots in the Molle Automotive Group.”
The other locations are Molle Chevrolet, 411 NW Mock Ave., Blue Springs; Molle Audi of Kansas City, 10330 Madison Ave., and Molle Volkswagen, 808 W. 103rd St., in Kansas City.
“The Molle Automotive Group is one that we try to align our values with organizations with like values,” Seaman said. “Molle has had this Toyota dealership for 28 years. We have partnered with the Kansas City community. We support schools, colleges and non-profits through various sponsorships.
“We are part of silent auctions where we will donate goods and services to those organizations. We are part of schools that have Energy Day or Earth Day. We are involved with Earth Day with a number of organizations in Kansas City.”
Seaman said auto dealerships are anchors in a community because of what they give back. Molle Toyota giving back to the community is one reason why Seaman believes the dealership is so successful in Kansas City.
“This organization has been the largest volume Toyota dealership in the Kansas City metro area for 17 consecutive years,” Seaman said. “There are some reasons for that. Obviously, we have a great selection of product and services. I think we have a wonderful location. I think Toyota is the best brand out there. I am probably biased. I have owned Toyotas. I’ve driven Toyotas since 1986 so I am a true believer.
“The big difference maker between this organization and a lot of organizations out there in the automotive industry is the customer experience. Our reputation is absolutely stellar in the community.”
All the toys that are collected and the money raised for various charitable endeavors by Molle Toyota stay in the community.
“We think that is really important,” Seaman said.
If you happen to be at one of the Molle dealerships looking for a new car or bringing in a car for service, leaving a toy will ultimately brighten the day of a child somewhere in Kansas City on Christmas Day.
“It is something I think many of us take for granted,” Seaman said.
More holiday spirit
Frank Ancona Honda supported two Kansas City charities for #GivingTuesday: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City and Coats For Kids.
The dealership made a financial contribution to Ronald McDonald House and is also providing funding for a mobile fundraiser site. Frank Ancona Honda is also a drop-off location for the fourth year for Coats For Kids.
“We are humbled to be able to support charities that give back so much to the community,” General Manager Jason Heard said in a press release. “Ronald McDonald House and Coats For Kids both provide for families and children in need. Our dealership and employees feel very rewarded to be able to help support the causes of these charities and further help families and children in the Kansas City area who need help the most.”
#GivingTuesday is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. It’s a movement started in 2012 by the United Nations Foundation to kick off the giving season after the highly commercialized days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Since then, many businesses have partnered with charitable organizations to promote #GivingTuesday and increase awareness for the charities.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City is building its third house in the metro area. Two Ronald McDonald House locations in Kansas City provide temporary housing for up to 60 families while their children undergo treatments at one of the city’s hospitals. The dealership helped Ronald McDonald House start its campaign with a $2,500 donation.
If you have a story you would like to see in Making a Difference, email David Boyce at Drive@kcstar.com
This story was originally published December 5, 2014 at 6:00 PM.