Did Hughes Subaru go above and beyond, provide exceptional service, or support causes that are important to you? We'd love to hear about it.
We are honored to be nationally recognized by Subaru of America, Inc. for our dedication to our customers, our community, and the Subaru Love Promise.
The 2024 Subaru Love Promise Customer and Community Commitment Award recognizes elite Subaru retailer who provide an exceptional customer experience at every interaction with Subaru. These retailers have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to supporting passions and causes in their local communities in important areas such as environment, community, health, education, and pets.
Here at Hughes Subaru, we love our community as much as we love our vehicles and are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of all of our customers and neighbors.
Subaru and our retailers believe in making the world a better place and the Subaru Love Promise is our vision of respecting all people. This is our commitment to show love and respect to our customers and to work to make a positive impact in the world.
Did Hughes Subaru go above and beyond, provide exceptional service, or support causes that are important to you? We'd love to hear about it.
SUBMIT A STORYIn a perfect world, hunger would be history and hope would be commonplace. We believe a perfect world is possible.
In 2020, Subaru and its retailers made a donation to Feeding America to provide 50 million meals to help feed people in need during the COVID-19 crisis,* making meals available at 199 local food banks across the country.
*$1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local member food banks.
Subaru and our retailers are committed to protecting and preserving the Earth, not just by our words, but also by our actions.
More than 13 million pieces of hard-to-recycle waste collected and recycled through TerraCycle®.
Subaru believes we all should have a chance to lead a healthy life. That's why Subaru and its retailers, like us, partner with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) and their local hospital or cancer treatment center to give warm blankets and encouraging messages of hope, written by retailers and Subaru customers in their stores, to support patients facing cancer. Through our partnership with LLS, we've supported nearly 350,000 cancer patients nationwide. We're proud to be LLS's largest automotive donor.
Subaru and its retailers, like us, are continuing our support of education and high-needs schools in our communities through Subaru Loves Learning(R) by providing teachers across the country with funding to purchase the school supplies and resources they know are needed to help students thrive in the classroom. Through our partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org, Subaru and its retailers will have supported more than 470,000 students nationwide and are proud to be their largest corporate supporter.
Subaru believes all pets deserve a loving home. That's why Subaru and its retailers, like us, partner with a local animal shelter every October to provide direct financial assistance and host adoption events to help animals find loving homes. Through our partnership with local and national organizations, we have donated over $51 million, which has supported the adoption, rescue, transport, and health of over 420,000 animals. We're proud to be the largest corporate donor to the ASPCA.
Subaru and its retailers believe in giving back to our communities. That's why for every new vehicle sold or leased during the Subaru Share the Love event, Subaru and its retailers, like us, makes a donation to national charities that our owners care about and to over 2,100 local charities where Subaru owners live and work.
Now, after 15 years, Subaru and our retailers have donated over $256 million to charity all to give back and to make the world a better place.
Our Love Promise can be seen in various partnerships with local charities and non-profits. We're grateful for the opportunity, not only to be a part of our community, but to serve it as well.
Subaru and Hughes Subaru believe in making a positive impact on the communities in which we live and work. We uphold that belief through our Love Promise Community Commitment. Every month, we select inspiring stories from customers and partners from around our area who strive to support our collective commitment and feature them here.
Madison S.
The Hughes Subaru Loves to Help event was a wonderful event to provide warmth to the children in Athens. By having a coat drive, we were able to invite community families to come and pick out new coats for all of their children. Since this drive was in the beginning of the winter season, the coats were able to be used throughout the cold months. Parents were elated to know that their kids would not only be getting new coats, but that they had the chance to actually pick out the color that they wanted. One mother specifically thanked us and told us that she had just had to spend a lot of money on car repairs and therefore this helped to ease the burden on finding money for new coats for her three boys who had grown out of their coats from last year. Family Promise of Athens is grateful for the support of Hughes Subaru and their donations of time and coats to our community!
Sydney T.
Hughes Subaru partners with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) to deliver blankets to the University Cancer & Blood Center as part of the Subaru Loves to Care program. These comforting gifts were accompanied by personalized messages of hope written by the customers and staff of Hughes Subaru. LLS is proud to partner with Hughes Subaru to spread hope, love and warmth to those fighting cancer, across the country and right here in our community. A huge thank you to Marah Brock and her team for supporting LLS’s mission to cure blood cancers and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
Sierra H.
Piedmont Athens Regional is proud to be supported by Hughes Subaru. As one of the largest non-profit healthcare systems in the state of Georgia, we rely on donor support to enhance programs, technology, and increase healthcare access to patients who need it the most. Hughes Subaru has impacted the healthcare in the Athens area community - and 17 county surrounding region that relies on healthcare in Athens - since their partnership began in 2018. The first line of defense against aggressive forms of breast cancer is an annual mammogram. With Hughes Subaru’s 2024 sponsorship of Piedmont Athens Regional’s annual Mint Jubilee fundraiser will enhance patient care to underinsured or uninsured patients of our Breast Health Center. With their gift alone, we will provide more than 50 mammograms to women in need. The mission of Piedmont Athens Regional is to “make a positive difference in every life we touch” – Hughes Subaru is making a positive difference in our community through their partnership. In addition to supporting the Breast Health Center, Hughes Subaru is providing our Safe Kids program with the resources to continue their mission of providing injury prevention, education, and safety equipment for all children in the state of Georgia. With their support, we are providing car seat education, nutrition tips, proper hydration during the summer and cancer awareness at community events like the Marigold Farmers Market (hosted the first Saturday of each month through December).
Emily B.
Hughes Subaru has had a meaningful impact on Sandy Creek Nature Center over the years, both as a corporate sponsor and through their volunteer efforts. A team from Hughes Subaru recently volunteered their time to help with much needed site improvements and trail maintenance. They removed lots of wire fencing left behind after an initiative to revitalize the American Chestnut tree. We value our partnership with Hughes Subaru and their ongoing support of Sandy Creek Nature Center!
Cheryl M.
In Q1 of 2024, the Athens Area Humane Society 368 dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens with loving forever homes and performed 2,619 spay/neuter procedures – that’s a lot of love shared! All this and more is made possible by our pet-loving friends at Hughes Subaru through its Share the Love program. Pets like Piglet could not be more grateful . . . Piglet was surrendered to AAHS by a kind Samaritan, who spotted the filthy dog with wispy, matted hair on the side of a busy road. The wee dog was struggling - dragging her rear legs, teetering and limping perilously close to rush-hour traffic. The rescuer assumed she’d been hit by a car and scooped up the dog – too weak to resist - in a towel and drove to AAHS. We immediately gave her a snack and bathed her. What looked like dirt streamed off her body, but it was fact, flea ‘dirt’. She was infested with hundreds of fleas, which we were happy to rid her of forever. The odd, nearly hairless, pink-skinned bundle looked like a newborn piglet. The name stuck. After a long grooming session and a nourishing meal, Piglet’s next visit was with AAHS’s remarkable veterinarian, Dr. Varner, who discovered that she had advanced dental disease in addition to being malnourished. As it turns out, Piglet was a senior – approximately 10 years old. The fleas she carried drained her of so many red blood cells that she was anemic. Dr. Varner also confirmed that Piglet’s limping wasn’t caused by a vehicle strike. Her muscles were so severely atrophied, they began wasting away, due to aging and malnourishment. From Dr. Varner’s treatment plan, we knew exactly what to do! With medical care, proper nourishment, and round-the-clock attention and love from a foster caregiver, Piglet was on her way to good health and a forever home. And she didn’t have to wait long for love! When Michelle walked into the shelter and laid eyes on Piglet, it was love at first sight. Piglet’s sweet personality, gentle kisses, and loving nuzzles told Michelle she’d found her forever cuddle bug. Michelle even kept Piglet’s name. Today, Piglet is living her best life as HRH Princess Piglet. Wherever Michelle goes, Piglet is close behind. She’s sassy, spoiled, eats warmed chicken for dinner, and is the tiny boss of Michelle’s 105-pound Great Dane sister. Thank you, Subaru! Pets like Piglets and thousands more have found and shared love, thanks to you!
Renee S.
In collaboration with Home Instead Senior Care, the Athens Community Council on Aging hosted its annual "Be a Santa To a Senior" gift-giving drive throughout November and December. The initiative aimed to provide holiday gifts to over 750 older community members who might otherwise go without during the festive season. A key partner in this community effort was Hughes Subaru, the local Subaru dealership. Beyond serving as a collection site for gifts, each year, Hughes Subaru consistently seeks new ways to actively engage in the event. The Be a Santa to a Senior Campaign comes to a head during the gift-wrapping party in early December, where community members and local organizations gathered to wrap the carefully selected gifts for our older neighbors. While many older adults can and do pick up their gifts at our campus, logistical and health challenges prevented some from doing so. Recognizing this gap, Hughes Subaru stepped in to offer assistance. Their team volunteered to be a part of the gift delivery process, becoming instrumental in ensuring that gifts which often include critical care items, including jackets, microwaves, and winter clothes, reached those in need. The Athens Community Council on Aging extends sincere gratitude to Hughes Subaru for their continued support. Beyond being a collection point, Hughes Subaru played a crucial role in the actual delivery of gifts, making a tangible impact on the lives of our older neighbors. Thanks to their efforts, these individuals were able to enjoy the simple yet profound pleasure of opening gifts during the holiday season. This collaboration with Hughes Subaru exemplifies the power of community partnerships in addressing the needs of our aging population, ensuring that no one is left without support during a time traditionally associated with joy and giving.
Justin B.
Thanks to Hughes Subaur's supports, we just wrapped the 4th annual Books for Keeps Community Book Fair, giving away more than 66,000 books! That's 14 years of school distibution, 4 years of free book through this event, and nearly 1.3 million books given away in total. Words can never express how deeply grateful we are to be able to continue the work of meeting children where they are in their literacy jouney and helping move it to the next chapter thanks to Hughes Subrau's gifts. With the help from the Athens community, we have three operating full-time programs to help students in and around our community. Thanks to partners like Hughes Subaru, the Books for Keeps team keeps growing and expanding our reach. Hughes Subaru's dedication to our work, the volunteer hours, and donation make every part of this possible. Thank you!
Cedric P.
We are writing to express our sincere gratitude for your generous donation of school supplies to Timothy Road Elementary. Your support means the world to us and has a significant impact on our students and teachers. Your donation ensures that our students have access to the necessary resources to excel in their studies. It's heartwarming to see local businesses like Hughes Subaru taking an active role in our community's education. Your commitment to supporting our school exemplifies the true spirit of community involvement. Together, we are making a positive difference in the lives of our students and staff. Your generosity contributes to a brighter future for all of us, and we cannot thank you enough for your kindness and dedication to this great cause. Once again, thank you for your unwavering support. We look forward to continuing this partnership and working together to provide the best possible education for our students.
Emily B.
2023 has been a special year at Sandy Creek Nature Center as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary. Founded in 1973, Sandy Creek Nature Center is a leader in environmental education and conservation. Over the years, thousands of children have visited the Nature Center for field trips and camps and then returned years later with their own children. Whether it’s hiking a trail, checking out the exhibits in the Education & Visitor Center, watching a show at the Planetarium, or exploring in the Nature Playscape, wonderful memories are made at Sand Creek Nature Center. Connections with community partners like Hughes Subaru make all the difference. Thanks to Hughes Subaru, the Nature Center is the proud recipient of a TerraCycle bench made from hard-to-recycle materials. What a wonderful teaching lesson for all the children who visit every year, and for future generations! Thank you, Hughes Subaru, for your continued support and commitment to the mission of Sandy Creek Nature Center.
Christopher J.
Wow! This year’s retroProm, our first since 2019, was a huge success, and we want to thank Hughes Subaru for their partnership and continued support. This year’s retroProm exceeded all our expectations. We knew we wanted it to be better than ever, and because of their involvement, it most certainly was. We had the highest attendance ever with over 300 people dancing the night away. We raised more than $66k-also the most ever and danced more than we’ve ever danced before. The funds we raised from this event will allow us to support our fight to end senior hunger and provide more than just a meal. Thank you to Hughes Subaru in Athens, GA for supporting ACCA and our aging community!
Iris M.
I was at Belk getting a birthday present and when I got back I couldn't start my Forester. I tried everything and finally called Hughes Subaru Service to see if they could help me. They explained that I had locked the steering wheel and just needed to turn a little to unlock it. I just didn't have the strength. Brie Willis dropped what she was doing and drove out to Belk in her own car to rescue me. Brie is a blessing to me and to Hughes Subaru.
Terrell M.
On a lovely, warm March evening, supporters of The Ark and The Randall Bramblett Band came out to enjoy great music and raise funds for the low-income workers in the Athens Clarke-County area. With the generosity of Hughes Subaru, The Ark is able to help when a single mom of three school-age kids has to call out to take care of a child who has the flu. The Ark steps in when an elderly couple of a fixed income experiences a 25% increase in their rent. With the support of community partners like Hughes Subaru, The Ark prevents an eviction for a family of four when dad is out for two weeks to recover from surgery. The Ark is honored to have the support of Hughes Subaru and the trust of the community to bridge the financial gap when an unexpected loss of income occurs.
Kelsey F.
The Athens Area Humane Society broke their monthly adoption record back-to-back–finding homes for 300 loving pets in just two months. That’s not the only good news this past year has brought! The AAHS Spay/Neuter and Wellness Center also broke their surgery record–and then again–providing spay and neuters for over 1,200 pets, preventing unwanted litters and preventing thousands more homeless pets. One of those rescued, treated, and adopted pets is Sky the little Shih Tzu, who came to us with a broken leg and fractured pelvis. After two surgeries, weeks of treatment, and a lot of TLC, Sky found her happy ever after. She is a beloved family member who spends her days spoiled and snuggled. Thanks to Subaru’s continued support and donations of over $160,000 since 2015, the AAHS can continue their life-saving efforts and unite pets like Sky with their forever homes.
Lauren F.
The Really BIG Art Rally was held on March 25, 2023 in order to benefit Athens' two local non-profit arts spaces, ATHICA: The Athens Institute for Contemporary Art and Ciné Art House Cinema. Hughes Subaru was an event sponsor at the Behemoth level, which was matched by The James E. and Betty J. Huffer Foundation, effectively raising $1000 total for these worthy non-profits. Close to $20,000 total was raised through a combination of art sales and sponsorships. Over 200 people attended, including dozens of artists, volunteers, and art buyers. A fun day was had by all. ATHICA Director Lauren Fancher reports that "Both organizations are thrilled by the response from the Athens community, from the businesses who chose to sponsor the event, to the beautiful artwork created and donated to be sold in real-time, to the art buyers who battled for the right to purchase popular works by drawing the high card. We are so grateful for the support."
Abigail D.
The Athens Farmers Market strives to increase local food access, uplift our vendors, and connect our community. To ensure that we provide a space that is welcoming and accessible, we rely on financial support and donations from our community of sponsors - like Hughes Subaru. Hughes Subaru's long-time support of our market has allowed the Athens Farmers Market to grow our capacity to serve our community. As an organization that serves the whole Athens community, including those with limited resources and income, we work hard to ensure that our market spaces are welcoming, safe, and, as often as possible, free to visitors. Hughes Subaru's sponsorship supports this mission to offer weekly free cooking demos, kid's activities, and live music to all of our visitors, creating a community hub centered around local connections and local food. We are grateful that Hughes Subaru chooses to make such a local impact!
Karen C.
From the moment I got out of my car, I was taken care of! Everything flowed! I had several questions that were answered to my satisfaction. All work was completed in a timely manner. I accidentally left my book in the waiting room. I realized it later and the service rep called me back right away and said she had left it at her desk. I was able to pick it up that day. She was very thorough with answering my questions and very thoughtful about the book.
Cedric P.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Hughes Subaru who so generously donated school supplies to the teachers and students at Timothy Road Elementary. Our teachers were thrilled with what they received in their Subaru Loves Learning boxes, ensuring that they are able to kick off the school year. Your additional donations ensure that all of our students have the resources they need to be successful in school. You truly exemplify what it means to be a community partner and show support for our local schools. Together we can make a difference in the lives of our students and staff. Thank you again for your generosity and giving to a great cause.
Cheryl M.
The doors to a van opened late Wednesday afternoon at the Athens Area Humane Society where five beagles could be seen in their travel cages. There was no barking. The dogs, actually puppies, were quiet. Their dark brown eyes appeared cautious and nervous as they stared at the people who gathered. These puppies are among the survivors of almost 4,000 beagles bred to become subjects of medical experiments in laboratories, an ordeal that would eventually end in death. Now in Athens, they were far away from that fate. Apryl Hughes of Athens took one of the beagles from a handler and carefully cradled the small dog that was submissive to the cuddling act. “How could anyone experiment with you. I don’t understand that,” she said softly into its floppy ear. She named the young one Trek. These beagles were part of the largest dog rescue operation in the United States. They were seized in July after the U.S. Department of Agriculture cited a massive puppy mill in Cumberland, Va., for numerous violations of the Animal Welfare Act. The U.S. Justice Department then sued Indiana-based Envigo RMS, a company that owned the facility. The seized dogs were turned over the U.S. Humane Society. The company has settled with the government, according to a report in USA Today. Debra Berger of Atlanta and the state director in Georgia for the national society, attended the arrival of the beagles at the new shelter on Mitchell Bridge Road. The new shelter opened a year ago. “This is a process. It’s not one and done. There are 4,000 beagles in need of rescue,” Berger said, noting that more beagles would likely come to Athens. These dogs were born in small cages on concrete floors, never allowed to walk outside or receive friendly care by the human caretakers, according to Athens Area Humane Society CEO Cheryl McCormick. “They don’t necessarily associate people with comfort, love and affection,” McCormick said. “They’ve never stepped on grass.” “It will take time for them to warm up to people who are not poking and prodding them,” she said. “Beagles are known for their gentle affection and this is why they are often used as research models because they don’t act aggressively toward people who want to use them for these purposes.” The sordid conditions at the farm in Virginia where the thousands of beagles were raised was exposed by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), who sent a person working undercover to secretly video what was happening to the dogs. Now, the rescued dogs are being sent to shelters across America. Hughes, president of Hughes Automotive Group in Athens, became a sponsor for a beagle as Hughes Subaru’s “Love Promise” event raises charity money for the local humane society. “I’m making sure he gets a good home,” Hughes said as she embraced Trek. “It makes me proud that through our customers and our organization that we are part of this state-of-the-art facility.” The Athens facility was originally earmarked for 10 beagles, but only received five this day, but McCormick said more are expected in the future. Beagles, such as the puppy sponsored by Hughes, will go to a foster home where the dog will be acclimated to a life with a caring family. Nancy O’Hare of Athens fosters animals for the Humane Society, and she came out this day hoping to be one of the foster families. She already owns a beagle and a beagle mix dog. “These dogs are scent hounds. I can tell you from my experience nothing makes them happier than walking and sniffing around the neighborhood,” she said. “They see the world through their noses. They are gentle, kind and trusting.” A few feet away, one of the rescued beagles was on the ground. Held by a leash, the puppy pushed its nose into the green grass, then looking up at its handler, it opened its mouth and wagged its tongue. “It’s wonderful to get these beagles out of that breeding situation,” O’Hare said.
Christopher J.
This year, the Athens Community Council on Aging (ACCA) partnered with our local Hughes Subaru to help improve the lives of our Meals on Wheels clients facing the summer heat. Our Meals on Wheels clients often need help beyond receiving daily or weekly meals from ACCA. Here in Athens, during the heat of the summer, temperatures rose to over 95 degrees for two weeks straight. There was growing concern among our clients, volunteers, and staff about the rising temperatures and its effect on our older adult clients. To help keep them cool, we initiated a fan drive in hopes of being able to provide relief from the hot summer days. With the help of Hughes Subaru, we were able to do just that! Through a $1,500 donation to the Athens Community Council on Aging in response to our fan drive, Subaru America and Hughes Subaru helped provide over 75 fans to our Meals on Wheels clients. It gives us great pleasure knowing we have such compassionate corporate partners who can help improve the lives of our older adults. After many years of working together, the Athens Community Council on Aging knows Hughes Subaru has got our back!
Jed K.
Each year AAHS partners with Hughes Subaru to promote homeless pet adoptions, community centered outreach initiatives, events, food drives and more! In the seven years that we have partnered with Hughes Subaru, we have received $152,475 in donations. With those donations, we were able to find homes for over 8,000 homeless pets, offer humane education opportunities for over 500 children, offer temporary housing for 40 pets of families facing difficult times, and support over 1,000 families per year with free pet food assistance. Hughes Subaru is a champion in the Athens area for pets, people, and the community. We can’t say thank you enough for their generosity!
Marah B.
The Hughes Subaru team partnered with Athens-Clarke County to clean up the newest section of the Firefly Trail on the eastside of Athens. This 5-mile trail is just the beginning of a 39-mile planned rail trail from Athens to Union Point in Northeast Georgia, connecting Athens-Clarke, Oglethorpe, and Greene counties. This trail provides a safe area for bikers, joggers, and walkers of the community. On June 20, the Hughes Subaru team split into two groups to tackle this trail and make it spotless. Our morning crew took on the first half of the trail, which connects downtown Athens to the eastside and sees more foot traffic. We were able to collect three large trash bags full of styrofoam, plastic, and glass along this section. In the afternoon, when temperatures reached into the triple digits, our second crew focused on the less traveled, newly paved area of the trail. This section was littered with old glass bottles, trash from prior homeless encampments, and litter from the roadway that runs parallel. By the end of the day, our second team collected four large trash bags full of litter. This was not only a great way to give back to the community but also allowed most of our staff to see an area of Athens that they had not been to before. Our team members remarked how peaceful the trail was. During the pickup, cyclists and walkers thanked several members of our team for coming out during the unusually hot June day. In total, we were able to collect seven large bags of trash along the 5-mile stretch of the expanding Firefly Trail.
Marah B.
On June 21, 2022, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – Georgia- South Carolina region and Hughes Subaru had the pleasure of delivering blankets, and arts & craft kits to the University Cancer & Blood Center as part of the Subaru Loves to Care program. These comforting gifts were accompanied by personalized messages of hope written by the customers and staff of Hughes Subaru. This incredible act of generosity was warmly received by the University Cancer & Blood Center staff who were thrilled to be able to distribute these comforting gifts to their patients. LLS is proud to partner with Subaru to spread hope, love, and warmth to those fighting cancer, across the country and right here in the Athens, Georgia community. Many thanks to everyone at Hughes Subaru and the University Cancer & Blood Center, not only for a memorable day but for supporting LLS’s mission to cure blood cancers and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
Leslie T.
Hughes Subaru loves to help! In November, Hughes made a significant contribution to Athens Community Council on Aging and Campus Kitchen at UGA’s annual Turkeypalooza campaign. The Turkeypalooza event provides local senior adult households with a traditional Thanksgiving meal, either through a bag containing all the ingredients needed to cook a tasty holiday meal- including a turkey- or, for those who cannot or prefer not to cook for themselves, a plated meal lovingly prepared Campus Kitchen volunteers. Additionally, Turkeypalooza raises funds to help ACCA and Campus Kitchen combat senior hunger all year long. Hughes Subaru appreciates the opportunity to help make sure that everyone in our town has enough to eat, at Thanksgiving and year-round.
Hughes S.
Each year, Athens Community Council on Aging and Home Instead senior care partner with local organizations and businesses, including Hughes Subaru, for the Be A Santa to A Senior initiative. This program strives to ensure that the holidays are merry and bright for senior adults in Athens. Hughes Subaru was home to one of the community Christmas trees that display ornaments indicating specific seniors’ holiday wish lists. Customers and staff selected ornaments, purchased gifts, and turned them over to ACCA and Home Instead for distribution. In total, more than 860 seniors received holiday gifts this year thanks to the generosity and kindness of local citizens and businesses like Hughes Subaru. Hughes Subaru’s support certainly brought joy to some of our neighbors in need this holiday season!
Jed K.
We want to thank Hughes Subaru for their commitment to the pets in our community going on 5 years strong! This year we celebrated with Hughes Subaru to commemorate this partnership and in that time, they have helped Athens Area Humane Society raise over $133,000 for homeless pets in our care! These donations have helped to find homes for over 7,000 dogs and cats in our community, assisted hundreds of pet owners with pet food that might have otherwise gone hungry, paid for medical care for pets that needed emergency services, provided humane education opportunities for 200 kids and beyond! We couldn’t work towards a better community for pets without their assistance, AAHS loves our Hughes Subaru family!
Marah B.
We wanted to thank Hughes Subaru for your sponsorship of the Lydia’s Place “Coming Home” Gala. Your support helped us to raise over $43,000 at this year’s event! Lydia’s Place serves young adults who have experienced foster care or homelessness by providing basic needs including housing, clothing, transportation and more. The money that was raised at this event will go directly to helping continue the mission of Lydia’s Place. It was a great event and we sincerely thank you for being a part of it. You are a blessing to our students and to our community. Lydia’s Place began in 2016 with a group of women who gathered for eight months to pray about how to best serve older kids in foster care. To date, Lydia’s Place has served over 800 young adults on 25 college campuses around the state of Georgia. We currently have 20 local bedrooms, right here in Athens, to provide housing for our students on four college campuses. Lydia’s Place also has a boutique with clothing and a warehouse with furniture and household items to meet the needs of young adults who didn’t have a family to set them up for independence. Each week the students that we serve gather to participate in our Cycle of Hope Program where they learn life skills such as goal setting, communication, problem solving, punctuality, money management and community service. These students have beaten the odds by simply being a college student. Lydia’s Place comes along beside them and helps by providing basic living needs while promoting their growth and independence. The “Coming Home” Gala is a major fundraiser for Lydia’s Place. The Hughes Subaru sponsorship of the event is a part of what made this such a great success. You truly lived up to the Subaru Love Promise of being more than a car company. You showed love and respect to these students who have one thing in common; a challenging childhood and a dream for a better tomorrow. You truly are making the world a better place starting right here in Athens, Georgia. And we thank you
Marah B.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Sandy Creek Nature Center, Inc., I want to thank you for Hughes Subaru’s $2,500 sponsorship of the Jack-O-’Lantern Jog held October 17. Both volunteers and participants enjoyed the spectacular fall day. But, most importantly, we were able, with your help, to raise funds vital to supporting the Nature Center. As you may know, SCNC has been a leading center for environmental and natural science education in the Athens area for nearly 50 years! It was founded by a small group of dedicated citizens in 1973 when the 225-acres of forest and wetlands were zoned for commercial development. Since that time, the Nature Center has continued to expand and improve both the facility and the programs we provide. Despite the recent uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been a very busy year here at the Nature Center. We have completed the Nature Playscape, an outdoor exploration zone for children located in the former garden area behind the Education & Visitor Center. Now, we look forward to a project that will install interpretive exhibits at the 1800s brick factory located on the site. Simply stated, your generous contribution has greatly enhanced our ability to provide unique outdoor-themed recreation and education programs to the over 50,000 visitors who utilize the Nature Center each year. We are extremely grateful to Hughes Subaru!
Marah B.
Dear Hughes Subaru, Thank you. With another spring of school precautions and uncertainty, we were once again wondering how we would make our 2021 distributions a success. But thanks to you, your gifts, and your support, we were able to distribute 108,000 books to 9,437 students in FIVE Georgia counties. You are the key to the continued success of our program. This letter serves as your tax receipt for your donation of $1,000.00 which we received on 8/9/2021. We simply cannot overstate how grateful we are to you. Thanks to your gift, we gave continued to operate at full steam these past 15 months. From continuing to improve the usability of our custom e-Commerce website for students to pick their books to continue to grow and change our warehouse space to meet the needs of not only distributions but also a space for the community to come and “shop” for free books, your support allows us to adapt to the needs of our students and their families. This year, we were able to also improve the efficiency of our distributions, from 2.5 months last year for fulfillment down to just one month! We are also able to knock our small Refill the Shelves fundraising goal of raising $9,4237- one dollar for each student served this spring-out of the water! We have also just had another dream come true- we just officially purchased what will become our community bookmobile! We are preparing for a fall season full of community engagement, family literacy outreach, and the school collaborations we have so missed this past 17 months. It sends a powerful message to the students we serve that we not only have been able to survive, we have also been able to thrive and meet students where they are- wherever they may be. As is always the case, this work of literacy and educational success is community work. Thank you for being that community. Sincerely, Justin Bray Executive Director
Bipul S.
On behalf of everyone at AdoptAClassroom.org and Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School, we want to extend our gratitude to you and the entire team at Hughes Subaru. Your generous donation will make a meaningful difference in the lives of so many students in your community. In addition, Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School has asked us to pass along their gratitude for the impact your donation will make. This school year, more than ever before, our educators and students need support. This year alone, Subaru and its retailers will benefit more than 114,00 students and teachers with the tools they need for a successful school year.
Jed K.
The Athens Area Humane Society, the largest affordable spay/neuter clinic and adoption center in the Athens, GA area is celebrating five years of partnership with Hughes Subaru. Since 2015, AAHS and Hughes Subaru have partnered to help homeless pets in the Athens, GA community. Donating a total of $126,959.00 to AAHS during the partnership. Donations have allowed AAHS to house, feed, care, and change the lives of roughly 2,000 pets during this time. Hughes Subaru does not just donate--hosting food drives, adoption events, and other community programs to bring people and pets together are a few ways Subaru extends a helping hand. Together, AAHS and Hughes Subaru have united over 60 pets with forever homes by hosting adoption events at the retailer alone. “Without the support of our local community, especially partners like Hughes Subaru, AAHS couldn’t do the lifesaving work we do. Working with the Hughes Subaru team is always a wonderful and uplifting experience, their commitment to support their community and its pets is genuine, and I can’t say thank you enough,” says Jed Kaylor, Program Director for AAHS. This extraordinary commitment to the community is perfectly expressed by Hughes Subaru receiving the 2021 Subaru Love Promise Customer and Community Commitment Award. This award nationally recognizes elite Subaru retailers who provide an exceptional customer experience at every interaction with Subaru. These retailers have also demonstrated an outstanding commitment to supporting passions and causes in their local communities in important areas such as the environment, community, health, education, and pets. AAHS and the pets they help couldn’t agree more. “I am passionate about animals, all kinds, but especially dogs. What a privilege as a business owner to make a tangible difference in my community through the Subaru Love Promise program. I consider this partnership to be one of my most fulfilling accomplishments.” says Apryl Hughes President for Phil Hughes Automotive Group.
Marah B.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the past year has been the most challenging time for nurses in many generations. The support of people and businesses in our community has been – and continues to be – a ray of sunshine that helps our front-line caregivers face the tremendous emotional and physical challenges of the pandemic. We are so appreciative of Hughes Subaru for providing 250 delicious Chick-fil-A lunches with bottled water from Sam’s Club for the entire weekday nursing staff of our Athens hospital on May 6, National Nurses Day. Their generosity lifted a lot of spirits that day, and let our nurses know how much they are loved and appreciated by the community.
Jed K.
Each year Hughes Subaru and AAHS have partnered to find loving, permanent homes for homeless pets in our community. Our 2020 Subaru Loves Pets Event was a huge success finding homes for 10 pets in just the first hour! On top of this success, Subaru showed even more love by donating an additional $100 per pet adopted during the entire month of October, helping to raise over $3,000 for the animals! Due to the pandemic, many shelters have had to quickly adjust their operations to continue to fund life-saving efforts, the support of our local Hughes Subaru cannot be understated. We cannot say thank you enough, but most importantly, our pets thank you.
Cronweld L.
Hughes Subaru hosted a pet adoption event for the Athens Area Humane Society. AAHS brought puppies to our store and the turnout was great. Every single puppy was adopted and given a loving forever home. "As an AAHS employee, it is so encouraging to my philanthropic spirit to see Hughes Subaru lend a helping hand to a cause that means so much to the Athens community. What's more, those genuine moments when a person falls in love with a pet and that pet goes home in the arms of a new family member... those moments in time were made possible with Hughes Subaru and you can't put a dollar amount on that. Not to mention the staff--from the marketing department to the floor staff helping us the day of the event. They were all so accommodating and happy to see us! Having that kind of work culture made it so easy to collaborate." - Cronweld Leon Marketing & Communications Director Athens Area Humane Society
Cronweld L.
Athens Area Humane Society hosted a chickenQ event, selling tickets for a meal. The money made from the tickets sold was put directly back into the animal shelter, to provide the animals with an even more comforting stay while they wait to find their forever home. Hughes Subaru was honored to sponsor this event, buying the food provided for the event. People were able to drive through and pick up their meal, all while donating to a great cause.
Cory S.
"All our families will be warm and cozy in these high-quality blankets donated by community partners at Athens Subaru! Thank you for thinking of your neighbors experiencing homelessness as the colder months roll in. We are grateful!" - Athens Area Homeless Shelter
Leigh D.
This sponsorship by Hughes Subaru directly sponsors families' opportunities to shop the first-ever Books for Keeps Community Book Fair, filling up their home bookshelves for free, and allowing Books for Keeps to provide service to families that need it. And there are a lot of families that need it right now! This event takes the place of the annual BFK Book Sale, taking the roughly 40,000 donated used books that would have been sold in a normal year, and making these books available on a free or pay-what-you-can basis. The event is open to individuals looking for books for personal reading, to support their children's at-home learning, to fill a Little Free Library, and more. This sponsorship also supports BFK's main program, Stop Summer Slide, a school-based book give-away that provides students with 12 books each, giving away more than 100,000 books annually to support summer reading opportunities.
Jessica C.
Since March 16th, things have been very different for the Athens Community Council on Aging. The Meals on Wheels program has taken on clients from other programs in addition to community members in need. The agency as a whole has served 100,000 seniors over 1,900 meals. The entire Hughes Automotive Group, including Hughes Subaru has assisted ACCA with a generous financial donation which provided meals to 400 older adults for one week. In addition, they also donated several personal care items which were highly requested. ACCA is honored to have community partners such as Hughes Subaru.
Jed K.
In our 4year partnership, Hughes Subaru has donated over $67,000 to the Athens Area Humane Society through the Share the Love Campaign. These funds helped to feed, house, spay/neuter, and find homes for over 4,000 cats and dogs in our community. With adoption events each year, support for our kids camp, among many other things, Hughes Subaru has shown that they stand with their community, and we are so proud to be a part of that mission. As we look forward to the future, these funds will directly aid us in our mission to expand our reach. With a new building under construction and expansion of our services coming soon, we will be able to serve our community pets even more. Donations like these from Hughes Subaru will ensure the pets of the Athens, GA area get the best care possible when they need us the most. THANK YOU HUGHES SUBARU!
Amy L.
Hughes Subaru continues to Share the Love for the Athens Community Council on Aging’s (ACCA) Meals on Wheels program. ACCA’s March for Meals 5K run, the annual Meals on Wheels fundraiser, was shifted to a virtual run due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a critical time for the program as the ACCA Meals on Wheels program had expanded its reach to include emergency food relief efforts for over 1,300 local seniors in need. Hughes Subaru, and more than 90 runners, honored their philanthropic commitment to the event. With their help, over 29,000 meals have been served to local seniors in need so far. ACCA and Meals on Wheels is so appreciative of Hughes Subaru. Their unwavering support helped expand our reach at the time we needed it most. They have exemplified what it means to be a supportive community partner and share the love.
Miranda J.
We are so grateful for the support of Hughes Subaru for our Paws & Purrs Winter Gala on January 25, 2020. Their sponsorship goes towards helping us save animals lives here at Humane Society of Morgan County. We were able to raise over $16,000.00 for our First Annual Gala! Our mission is to save more animals' lives by promoting adoptions of healthy, friendly companion animals obtained from overcrowded animal control facilities and owner surrenders. Our goal is to provide the highest quality care and compassion to the animals entrusted into our care until such time as they are adopted. It is also our mission to measurably reduce the pet overpopulation numbers through the promotion of spay/neuter programs and community education. With wonderful sponsors like Hughes Subaru participating in our events annually, we can continue our mission with ease.
Gabby D.
The Cancer Foundation has benefited from Hughes Subaru in many ways over the years! Most recently, Hughes Subaru sponsored The Cancer Foundation of Northeast Georgia’s “Cocktails” Fundraiser on February 22, 2020. The event yielded over $225,000 to support families in northeast Georgia in financial distress due to high cancer bills. The Cancer Foundation's Financial Assistance Program will aid low income cancer patients with housing, utilities, transportation, medications and other critical needs while in treatment. Hughes Subaru provided sponsor dollars, event attendees, and even allowed guests to view a new 2020 Ascent as they arrived at the event. Thank you Hughes Subaru for showing our patients your love and support!
Tom G.
Each year, as part of our fundraising efforts, we have parents/players go out and get sponsorship from local/community organizations. The money raised from our sponsorships serve two purposes. First, it helps with the everyday expenses of running a top tier baseball program such as pre-game meals, baseballs, uniforms, jackets, field equipment/maintenance. Second, our sponsorships also help pay for facilities improvements and special "big ticket" purchases. For example, this year we went out and bought our own reel mower to cut our field with--which was badly needed--and it cost $6000. So businesses like Hughes Subaru are very important to our program and we greatly appreciate your patronage.
Maggie W.
This fall, Hughes Subaru participated in the eighth annual Turkeypalooza can drive – a collaborative initiative between the Athens Community Council on Aging and the University of Georgia’s Campus Kitchen Project. The cans collected are redistributed as Thanksgiving groceries and meals throughout Northeast Georgia. This year’s collection achieved a record impact with 1,300 individuals across 300 families and 13 counties.This year, Hughes Subaru set a goal of 200 cans of cranberry sauce and greatly surpassed expectations with a grand total of 520 cans of cranberry sauce, green beans, and various other Thanksgiving favorites. The donation weighed just over 450 pounds and was distributed to food-insecure families and individuals. Neither Turkeypalooza or Thanksgiving would be nearly the same without the incredible efforts of our participating organizations like Hughes Subaru.
Lisa M.
One of the most important things that Athenspets does is make sure the animals at Athens-Clarke County Animal Services know they're loved so they can flourish. Hughes Subaru is a partner in this. In October, Subaru collected food, toys, and bedding for the shelter animals to make their stay just a little nicer, as well as sponsoring the Boo-le-Bark on the Boulevard Costume Dog Parade, which raised funds to provide for the medical care of the shelter animals and to prevent future pet overpopulation in the Athens area. We're so happy to have Subaru as an Athenspets partner!
Jessica C.
We take advantage of our Meals on Wheels Subaru Outback donated to Athens Community Council on Aging through Meals on Wheels America and Subaru of America's 50 Cars for 50 Years to make pick-ups and deliveries for our many special initiatives. Take Out Tuesday is a monthly food program in partnership with The Campus Kitchen at UGA and The Food Bank of Northeast Georgia that distributes and delivers bags of canned goods, produce, breads, frozen meals, and other food items to individuals around the Athens Area. Each month, we load up the Subaru to get the food from the Food Bank of NE Georgia to our building, assemble grocery bags filled to the brim with good food, and then head back out to the community to the clients who rely on this program to help keep their kitchens stocked and their nutrition needs met.
Hallie W.
Thank you so much for the book donation to Howard B. Stroud Elementary School. The selection of STEM books are varied and amazing! We are able to use the books for several different purposes that meet the needs of our students. Our Kindergarten and First grade teachers love the book Living Things and Nonliving Things: A Compare and Contrast Book by Kevin Kurtz. The book is perfect to include as a read aloud to students in their science unit on living and nonliving things. First grade teachers also appreciate the book, Light Waves, by David Adler, as it complements their science unit on light. As a green school, we are always looking for ways to teach our students about conservation and recycling. The addition of the Trash Revolution: Breaking the Waste Cycle by Erica Fyvie enhances our green lessons. We also teach a STEM class to all K-5 students and participate in the science fair each year. Our STEM teacher was thrilled to receive a class set of the books donated to use throughout the school year. Bug Lab for Kids by John W. Guyton and Iqbal and His Ingenious Idea by Suneby & Green are perfect for students working on science fair projects to spark their curiosity and give them ideas for their own projects. The quality of the books is quite high. Our media specialist wants the books to be available to all students so we are putting one copy of each title in the media center collection for general check out. These are just a few of the ways we plan to use the books donated by Hughes Subaru! We love the titles, the quality, and the quantity of books we received. We still have books available to give to individual students as rewards for literacy and science achievement. Again, thank you so much for donating this excellent STEM collection of books to us at Howard B. Stroud Elementary school.
Andy A.
Subaru is proud to establish the first-ever National Make A Dog’s Day October 22nd. As part of Subaru Loves Pets month, we’re inviting all dog lovers to do something extra special for their furry best friends. Plus, Subaru will be focusing our efforts on helping the hardest-to-adopt shelter Dogs –those with special needs-find homes. Get ready to fall in love withThe Underdogs. #MakeADogsDay Meet Gabi! Gabi has been at the Humane Society of NWGA (Northwest Georgia) for seven years. If you asked the volunteers to pick their favorite animal at the shelter, Gabi would win hands down. She does not do well with dogs or cats so must be the only animal in an adult only family. She loves people and will bond very quickly to you. Gabi would make someone a great companion. She is waiting patiently for her forever home. If you have room in your heart and your home for this sweet girl then please fill out an adoption application, highlight and right click this link: https://hsnwga.org/adoption/application-for-adoption/?fbclid=IwAR2Ie18p6U3ryKi-niIuIZFTd-waD98xrySl7IJmiRBXE239WP7dpODubiU #MakeADogsDay #SubaruLovesPets #TheUnderdogs
Cindy M.
“You got this!” “You’re stronger than you know!” “Keep it up!” Those are just a few of the motivational messages that accompanied the dozens of blankets recently donated by Hughes Subaru in Athens to University Cancer & Blood Center’s chemo patients. It was a kindness greatly appreciated by Althea Fleming, a UCBC patient since 2006. “With chemo, I stay cold all the time, and that makes a blanket so important to me,” says Althea, an Athens resident. “UCBC has rescued me so many times, and this is just one more way they show they care for me, they respect me." With two Athens locations and six others in northeast Georgia, UCBC patients have access to the best therapies medical science can provide, and a clinical research program that is the second largest in Georgia. Community connection is important to the entire UCBC team, says Loretta Goodson, UCBC’s CEO. “Like our patients, we love Northeast Georgia and its people,” says Ms. Goodson. “It’s our home, too. We’re proud to offer patients hope, healing and compassion — close to home.” Providing the Subaru blankets for its chemo patients is just one of many ways UCBC goes above and beyond to connect with patients and the community. “What a great gift from Subaru,” Althea says. “You just don’t find that many businesses willing to give back in this way. Each time I use this blanket, I think about where it came from.”
Tiffany S.
Outdoors Without Limits is more than a chance for someone to be outside in the wilderness – it’s a chance for them to be “normal,” to enjoy an activity that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to accomplish given their disability. Those involved in severe accidents, born with disabilities and even soldiers with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – Outdoors Without Limits welcomes all who want to participate. Every donation contributes to the national mission and throughout our community-based chapters across North America. Outdoors Without Limits has the voice to speak on behalf of all disabled Outdoorsmen and Women. Specifically, the support of Hughes Subaru has allowed us to continue our mission to promote awareness and teamwork between disabled and non-disabled individuals through education and outdoor recreational activities. The donation provides funds directly associated with event and transportation costs for annual outdoors events.
Jennifer S.
Hughes Subaru continues to Share the Love by providing ongoing support for the Athens Community Council on Aging’s Meals on Wheels program. Thanks to a generous monthly donation from Hughes Subaru, Athens Meals on Wheels provides daily meals to an additional seven people. What does this mean to those individuals? It means they receive a healthy meal delivered to their door daily, helping them stretch their grocery dollars and enjoy a nutritious meal without the need to work in the kitchen. It means they get a daily knock on their door met with a friendly face to say “Hello” and “How are you today?” It means seven extra people know their community cares. The ACCA and Meals on Wheels is happy to partner with Hughes Subaru so we can share the love with those who need it most.
Sydney T.
On July 11th, 2019, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – Georgia Chapter and Hughes Subaru of Athens were able to deliver blankets and letters to patients at the University Cancer & Blood Center in Athens, GA as part of the Subaru Loves to Care Program. Tiffany Staples, Marketing Director for the Phil Hughes Automotive Group, and other members of her team made the delivery and were able to spend some time meeting with the patients they were supporting. A definite favorite was the Subaru vehicle that was brought out to the delight of not just the patients, but also Blaine Bostlemon, COO at University Cancer & Blood Center. Blaine and the patients expressed their gratitude for these wonderful messages and extremely warm blankets. It was wonderful to see twoentities of this tight knit community coming together in support of their local patients. Continued thanks go out to everyone at Hughes Subaru of Athens and University Cancer & Blood Center for the most memorable day. Their support of and dedication to the mission of LLS is inspiring.
Jed K.
Hughes Subaru generously donated “Ambassador Kits” in the form of Subaru-branded lunchboxes, stuffed with goodies, for the Athens Area Humane Society Junior Veterinarian kids camp this year. The kids loved the lunchboxes, but more importantly, they get to see how Hughes Subaru supports local community efforts and members (even furry!) of the community. This opportunity allowed Athens Area Humane Society a chance to educate the children about our partnership with Hughes Subaru and how local support is crucial to the organization's success. The children are now armed with the power to go and be “ambassadors” for the cause of the Athens Area Humane Society, with a better understanding of how the community around us aids in the mission of our organization.
Jed K.
Hughes Subaru continued their support of the Athens Area Humane Society at it's annual fundraiser for the local animal shelter and rescue. Held in May 2019, the Athens Area Humane Society Mardi Paws Gala raised funds to support the campaign for a new shelter space. The involvement of the Hughes Subaru team also assists with sponsoring surgeries for public pets, and offset the cost of supplies for current furry residents. Hughes Subaru has been an avid supporter of AAHS, and with their support, the Athens Area Humane Society is able to “share the love” with our community and their pets!
Jeff D.
Hughes Subaru showed us some love by contributing to our team as a top-level, “Full Suspension” sponsor! The Oconee County Mountain Bike Team (OCMBT), a mountain bike team for middle and high school students is part of the Georgia Interscholastic Cycling League. This group is comprised of student athletes from both the Oconee and North Oconee School Districts as well as a few other surrounding schools. The mission of the League is “to enable every 6th-12th grade student in the State of Georgia to strengthen body, mind and character through the lifelong sport of cycling, in an equal and inclusive environment.” The Hughes Subaru contribution helped to defer the cost of new team tents which are vital to help keep our kids cool during race days.
Seth Y.
April was Subaru Loves the Earth month and Hughes Subaru gave back by volunteering their team with SORBA-Athens at Trail Creek Park. The team helped with trail cleanup and other maintenance work. One trail-goer claimed that the trail looked amazing after Hughes Subaru had finished working on it.
Kimberly L.
Though financial toxicity, or problems related to the cost of medical care, is not unique to cancer, cancer patients are among the most likely to experience it. Not only is cancer treatment expensive, but cancer is also a disease that can affect your ability to work, which further debilitates patients financially. This added financial strain to individuals and families living in our community, dealing with intense medical and emotional trauma, is heartbreaking. The Cancer Foundation is incredibly grateful for Hughes Subaru's support of our mission to help alleviate this financial burden of cancer. Because of the generous donation received from Hughes Subaru, patients will not have to choose between lifesaving treatment and keeping a roof over their head, or being able to afford gas to travel to treatment appointments. Hughes Subaru is making a huge and direct difference in the lives of cancer patients in our community.
Victoria C.
In March 2019, ACCA, along with Meals on Wheels America, held its annual March for Meals campaign. This campaign gives businesses, organizations, governments, and volunteers who contribute so generously in their communities an opportunity to join the fight again senior hunger by participating in a variety of events held over the course of the month. For the 9th consecutive year, ACCA held the March for Meals 5K benefiting our local Meals on Wheels program. Through this year’s 5K, our generous sponsors and 166 runners were able to raise over $17,000, allowing us to not only feed seniors in need but also provide safety checks, home repairs and holistic care to the clients we serve. Our local Subaru dealership, Hughes Subaru generously donated $5,000 as a sponsor of the 5K to ensure a successful race. Along with their incredible sponsorship, Hughes Subaru staff members joined us for Champions Week. During Champions Week, ACCA invites local, state and federal officials, local celebrities and other prominent community figures to deliver meals, speak out for seniors and raise awareness for the power of Meals on Wheels. We are so thankful to Lindsay Lucas and Chuck Hodges for joining us! Unfortunately, our Meals on Wheels Subaru was involved in an accident during the month of March. With the help of our local Hughes Subaru dealership, we were able to borrow a car to not only help transport items for the 5K to Creature Comforts Brewery but also use it to successfully deliver meals during our Champions Week.
Jane S.
Earlier this April, Hughes Subaru had the opportunity to present Athens Humane Society with a check of $11,592 as a result of our Share the Love campaign. This year’s contribution tops $50,000 from the last three years since our partnership began! “It is hard to put into words what the Subaru donation means to us. As the Executive Director of AAHS, I just sat down to pay our bills, and it is unbelievable how fast they add up. We are in the middle of kitten and puppy season, and with that always comes unexpected medical bills, but with your help, we are able to save more of these sweet lives. We work hard to help as many animals in this area as we can, but without the wonderful people at Hughes Subaru, we would not be able to reach near as many animals. We have also outgrown our present facility, and your donation gets us that much closer to moving into a larger place! You all are the best and we could never thank you enough!” - Jane Stewart (Executive Director of Athens Humane Society)
Jessica C.
This December, Hughes Subaru participated in Athens Community Council on Aging’s annual Be a Santa To a Senior campaign, which local citizens provide holiday gifts to all ACCA clients. In 2018, this campaign allowed our community to deliver gifts to over 160 Meals on Wheels clients. Staff members from our local Subaru dealership, Hughes Subaru, participated by collecting gifts for 25 of our agency clients and rode along on a meal route to help deliver the packages!
Jessica C.
We started this year's holiday season with Turkeypalooza, which is run by the Athens Community Council on Aging. Hughes Subaru was given the task to collect 66 cans of cream of mushroom soup and with the help of our customers we were able to exceed that goal by collecting 88 cans. ACCA collected a total of 2760 items from organizations around Athens and distributed them to seniors in Athens that might not have received a Thanksgiving meal otherwise. We were so excited to be part of this event again and we thank our customers for their donations. Impacting the community is important for us so we are glad that “ACCA is able to use the Subaru Outback to get this food to 34 appreciative households” (Jessica Craft, Meals on Wheels Program Manager).
Kacey D.
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is one of the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. In serval different city around the country, LLS hosts an annual Light the Night walk to shine the light on the darkness of cancer. The LLS mission is to raise money to research a cure for blood cancer, celebrate survivors, and remember those who lost their battle. Hughes Subaru was a sponsor for the walk hosted here in Athens, Georgia. This year, about one million people joined the walk for Light the Night across one hundred and fifty locations. Participants are encouraged to fundraise for the cause before the walk begins. During the walk, survivors carry white lanterns to illuminate the darkness and show hope for current cancer patients. Participants also have the opportunity to honor those they have lost at the Remembrance Pavilion. Hughes Subaru was grateful to partner with LLS in another successful event that shines a light on leukemia and lymphoma. Thank you so much to everyone who participated in Athens Light The Night, and for bringing light to the darkness of cancer with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Georgia Chapter. Our gratitude goes out to the 500 participants and especially this year’s Corporate Walk Chair, Alison McCullick. Alison is the Director of Community Relations at the University of Georgia, and alongside the Executive Committee, Light the Night in Athens raised over $100,000 to date and continues to raise critical funds in the fight against cancer!
Jed K.
"Hughes Subaru partnered with Athens Area Humane Society for another successful adoption event at the store. During the week leading up to the adoption event, the humane society had five Lil Subaru kitten toys hidden in local Athens businesses. With every found kitten, Hughes Subaru donated $50 to the humane society. At the adoption event where three adorable puppies found a new home. All adoption fees were covered and each new owner was given a new parent kit. The event was such a success thanks to the help of the UGA ROTC volunteers that helped us set up for the event and assisted throughout the event. Subaru Loves Pets month focuses on finding homes for homeless pets in the local community and the Athens Area Humane Society’s partnership made that possible. Hughes Subaru again definitely showed their commitment to "loving pets" and helped AAHS adopt pups, engage the community with on-site volunteers and also helped us to raise much-needed funds and awareness for our adoptable pets among other programs. As always it was a great community event and we felt the love! Can't wait til next year!"
Lisa M.
To start off Subaru Loves Pets month, Hughes Subaru participated and sponsored the Boo-Le-Bark on the Boulevard Costume Dog Parade. This event raised $7500 for Athenspets, an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) organization that helps shelter pets find permanent homes and rescue replacements and works to prevent future pet overpopulation in the Athens area. Pets and their handlers showed off their costumes as they walked through the Boulevard neighborhood and provided an opportunity for the Athens community to come together over a shared love of dogs in costumes. Hughes Subaru had a tent full of free giveaways including a dog tag machine and helped judge the Costume Contest, as well as being a Howl at the Moon sponsor of the parade. This annual event allows for 150 participants to dress in their best Halloween costume and raise money for a great cause!
Cindy T.
Subaru of America's book donation provided our students with books to reinforce what they are learning in science class. This year, Hughes Subaru donated 150 award-winning science books to us at Alps Road Elementary. All donated books have been awarded the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books and will be available in our school’s library for student check-out. The books are filled with pictures and diagrams that help foster students' comprehension, and also provide the opportunity for exposure to grade-level science concepts. You are doing a great service for our community. Thanks again Subaru Loves Learning!!!
Audrey S.
Hughes Subaru in Athens, Georgia was incredibly grateful to team up for the first time with Subaru of America and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) to help bring hope and warmth to cancer patients. This was a very heartwarming experience for Hughes Subaru. Michael Evans, their General Manager, shared a few words about how important working in the community is to their company, he also shared that many of their team members have been affected by cancer in some way making this personally meaningful to them as well.Representatives from Hughes Subaru had the wonderful opportunity to meet two patients currently undergoing treatment, as well as three amazing cancer survivors. • Philip- who was diagnosed with Myeloma in 2011, connected with Tricia Hernandez, Patient Access Manager for LLS and told her during the delivery that he believes the support he received from LLS is one of the reasons he is alive today. • Althea- a Myeloma patient; Thomas- a blood cancer patient; and George- a CLL survivor were all thrilled to attend the delivery. • Hollis- shared that he recently learned he no longer had B cell lymphoma after completing a year of treatment. The University Cancer & Blood Center in Athens, Georgia enjoyed having the opportunity to participate in the Subaru Loves to Care program and spread joy to blood cancer patients and looks forward to participating again next year.
Jessica C.
In May 2018, Athens Community Council on Aging's Meals on Wheels began receiving a monthly $1,000.00 donation from Hughes Subaru in Athens, GA. This donation allows ACCA's MOW program to serve 6 people who are currently on the waiting list to receive services and who would otherwise be unable to receive the support that ACCA's MOW can provide.
Kelli M.
The Athens Community Council on Aging is proud to announce that our friends at Hughes Subaru have committed to a $12,000 donation to our Meals on Wheels program. This investment allows ACCA to serve six additional individuals daily who were currently among a list of 65 older adults waiting to receive meals. This donation is Hughes Subaru’s most recent addition to a long history of support of ACCA’s Meals on Wheels program and older adults in our local community. Hughes Subaru has also supported ACCA through our annual March for Meals 5K, TurkeyPalooza, and Be a Santa to a Senior program. Subaru of America has been a longtime supporter of Meals on Wheels programs across the nation. Last year, ACCA received a limited edition 2018 Subaru Outback as part of Subaru of America’s 50-year anniversary celebration. “We are so incredibly grateful for the support of our friends at Hughes Subaru. This gift represents their true commitment and care of our Athens community. Our Meals on Wheels program is stronger because of their partnership with us in our fight to end senior hunger. Six vulnerable, older adults who would otherwise go without will now receive a daily meal, companionship and wellness check because of their support!”, Eve Anthony, President/CEO ACCA. Because of funding, our local community continues to have a waiting list of older adults in need of Meals on Wheels services. Investments from partners like Hughes Subaru are vital in ACCA’s effort to keep up with the rapidly increasing needs of older adults in our community. Currently, ACCA’s program serves an average of 1250 meals to 180 individuals in Clarke and Barrow counties each week. “We’re proud to partner with ACCA, as a small local business, it’s essential for us to partner with organizations that are making a significant impact in our local community. We’ve witnessed the impact, but also the extreme need for funding at our Meals on Wheels chapter, and wanted to make a difference.”, Mike Evans, General Manager of Hughes Subaru.
Jed K.
Hughes Subaru presented another sizeable donation of $13,443 to the Athens Area Humane Society! Hughes Subaru continued their hometown partnership with AAHS for the 2017 Subaru Share the Love program. AAHS has big plans for this year’s donation. They have recently started an animal transport service to no-kill shelter groups in Northeastern states who have a shortage of animals available for adoption. This has been a great success already for shelter groups all over Georgia to have some relief from the constant influx of kittens and puppies that Spring always brings. This has also revealed a need for a new transport van, also on the list of items to purchase. Last year’s donation enabled the Humane Society to perform over 1000 spay and neuter surgeries on unaltered animals, as well as provided 3 new indoor kennels, toys, food and supplies for shelter and foster animals. This year, the funds will continue to help fund the shelter’s Food Bowl Program, which offers free pet food for owners who may not otherwise be able to afford it. The donation will also help run the humane society’s Spay It Forward program, which provides free spay and neuter surgeries for pet owners who cannot afford the procedure. with a special focus on TNR (trap, neuter, release) of community cats. In 2017, the Athens Area Humane Society helped 1,500 animals get adopted with the funds, said Jed Kaylor, the shelter director.
Seth Y.
SORBA-Athens is an Athens, GA based non-profit organization working to increase access to sustainable multiuse trails for all members of the local community. Trail Creek Park features the only purpose-built mountain biking trails in Athens-Clarke County and is maintained entirely by volunteer efforts. In April staff from Hughes Subaru worked with SORBA-Athens crew leaders to perform trail maintenance at Trail Creek Park. Volunteers cleared vegetation from the trail corridor, cleaned up trash, and improved drainage on the trails. These volunteer contributions are integral to the mission of SORBA-Athens and are recognized by the ACC Leisure Services Department as in kind contributions to our park amenities.
Morgan O.
Our 2018 Subaru Outback donation is the gift that keeps on giving! The University of Georgia’s Campus Kitchen borrows this vehicle each weekend to recover food from the community that is then distributed within the greater Athens area to seniors and families in need. The extended trunk space of the 2018 Subaru Outback allows student volunteers to collect more than 100 extra pounds of food each week! This food is then distributed to clients of the Athens Community Council on Aging's Meals on Wheels and Center for Active Living programs. In addition to the individual daily MOW deliveries this food supplements clients that face food insecurity. Thanks Subaru and Campus Kitchen for helping us help our community!
Kelli M.
In December 2017, the Athens Community Council on Aging held our 13th annual Be A Santa To A Senior fundraiser. This program allows community members to adopt older adults in need by selecting paper ornaments with wish lists from trees and wreaths located in partnering businesses throughout the community. Hughes Subaru participated again this year and not only helped us fulfil the wishes of the individuals on the wreath at their location – they also called to request additional ornaments that hadn’t been fulfilled to help us guarantee all of the wishes on our list were met.Thanks to their efforts and the efforts of our supportive community, over 900 older adults received Christmas presents! The presents were all wrapped at an event in which over 100 community members gathered to wrap and enjoy the holiday spirit.These volunteers also had the opportunity to hear about Subaru’s annual Share the Love campaign and how it benefits our Meals on Wheels program. Many of these presents were delivered in ACCA’s 2018 Subaru Outback which was received through Subaru’s 50 Cars for 50 Years initiative.The impact of this event is indescribable. The majority of older adults on this list live alone and for many, the only visitors they have are the volunteers who deliver their daily Meals on Wheels meal. To be able to help these individuals feel cared for by gifting Christmas presents promotes the mission of providing “more than just a meal”.
Morgan O.
During November 2017, Athens Community Council on Aging partnered with the University of Georgia's Campus Kitchen for the 6th annual Turkeypalooza, a food drive that collects holiday groceries for adult families in the Athens, GA area. Campus Kitchen volunteers were able to use the Subaru to collect donated food items and help ACCA staff and volunteers bag and distribute to clients in the community. The food drive collected over 1800 canned foods. This was enough to proved 935 Thanksgiving meals to seniors and their families in the Athens-Clarke county area, serving 20 more families than last year. To kickoff Turkeypalooza, Athens Community Council on Aging invited staff from our local Hughes Subaru to announce to ou rcommunity the donated 2018 Subaru Outback and the beginning of the food drive.Hughes Subaru hosted one of the donation sites for Turkeypalooza which took place November 1-16, 2017. The event was a success and Subaru staff were able to experience a Meals on Wheels route in the "50 Cars" wrapped vehicle.
Kelli M.
TurkeyPalooza was a huge success for the Athens Community Council on Aging again this year. The agency was fortunate to partner with UGA’s Campus Kitchen organization to provide almost 1,400 meals to seniors and their families in the area. This year, ACCA partnered with Hughes Subaru to incorporate a canned food drive to support the efforts to raise money and food items to achieve the goal of serving as many older adults in need as possible. “Stuff The Subaru” was a great way for our local Subaru retailer to help spread awareness and support the cause by collecting additional food. It was also wonderful to have our new Subaru onsite for the community to see and learn about our Subaru partnership. These types of partnerships make a massive impact on the Athens, GA community where one in five seniors faces food insecurity. ACCA is already looking forward to next year!
Charlotte A.
With the help of Hughes Subaru customers during the #SubarulovestoCare campaign, the Palliative Care and Oncology departments at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center were the recipients of two new "Comfort Carts" for use by patients and their families during their hospitalization. The Palliative Care cart is stocked with items to help make the final moments of a life more peaceful and loving. Some of the items included are handmade blankets, soft tissues, electric candles, lotions, clay for hand molds, music, and information on grief. The oncology cart will help to entertain patients who are hospitalized for long stays and includes items like paint-by-numbers, an iPad with a Netflix subscription, notebooks, Sudoku, word finds, and additional resources available to them. Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center thanks each of you who purchased your vehicle through Hughes Subaru of Athens and in turn gave back to our patients in such a meaningful way!
Lisa M.
Wow--we never expected this many donations! Athenspets is the volunteer group for Athens-Clarke County Animal Control so the food, treats, toys, blankets, and other supplies Subaru and its employees and customers donated will all be enjoyed by our community's neediest cats and dogs. Honor (pictured) is one of the lucky pups who will be receiving extra love this holiday thanks to Subaru's generosity and support. So many thanks!
Cappy W.
In August, Hughes Subaru worked with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) to support the Subaru Loves Learning program in providing local students with award-winning science books. As a result, Lindsay Lucas, Joey Floyd and General Manager, D Wilcher, presented 120 outstanding science books to second and third graders at Cleveland Road Elementary School. The donated books are designed to support K-5 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, while also helping to build reading and literacy skills. All donated books have been awarded the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books and will be available in the school’s library for student check-out. During the ceremony, Ms. Lucas’ presentation informed students of careers in the Subaru corporation and focused on the commitment to give back to the community. Students enjoyed viewing the Subaru commercials featuring the Barkley Family and asking questions about how Subaru cars are assembled, transported and sold at the Athens area dealership. The goal of the the Subaru Loves Learning Project is to give back to the community by engaging young learners in the world of science and inspire them to want to learn more. With over 120 new science books in their school library, students at Cleveland Road Elementary School were excited to have the opportunity to read new books, and teachers were very appreciative to benefit from this community partnership program.
Bexx M.
At Coile Middle School, Family and Consumer Science (FCS) teacher Gini Allen and the FoodCorps Service Member from the Athens Land Trust are facilitating the design and build of a dynamic outdoor classroom space with an edible landscape and perennial gardens. Formerly an underused courtyard area, we are on our way (thanks to partnerships like this one with Hughes Subaru!) to transform the space to a vibrant and experimental, multipurpose learning and healing space. Created by students, faculty, and staff, the outdoor classroom will host students for hands-on FCS learning activities focused on developing skills including growing vegetables and herbs, cooking/grilling, garden planning, and understanding food justice concepts. Hughes Subaru helped expand our mission to include a beautiful pollinator garden, which is hardly just a small addition to the space, but actually a very crucial part! Their generous contribution of bird habitats, seeds, butterfly bushes and other pollinator attracting plants, and signage will allow us to demonstrate the importance of healthy, supported ecosystems and systems thinking. The outdoor classroom space is more than a typical classroom- where we learn how to Love the Earth (and care and provide for ourselves and each other). Thank you Hughes Subaru for investing in our efforts of loving our environment and our young people!
Jed K.
Hughes Subaru continues to support and surprise the Athens Area Humane Society. With the recent "Share the Love" campaign event’s generous donation, AAHS can continue on its mission to save and support the animals in our local community! Almost $24,000 was donated and will go a long way to help the animals in the Athens and surrounding counties. The generous donation has already been put to great use and has helped AAHS to purchase multiple new traps to aid with spay and neuter of feral cats, food for our “Puppy Bowl” program which feeds pets in low income homes, materials and supplies to continue humane education programs that service the community and it's pets. This donation still continues to amaze our staff and we cannot be thankful enough, and we know the furry friends in our community thank them also!
Krisztian V.
Athens Land Trust (ALT) is a non-profit organization committed to neighborhood revitalization by developing a sustainable local food system in some of Athens’ most food insecure communities and building unity and wellness at the community level. ALT’s Williams Farm is an urban oasis where we work with community members and volunteers to grow produce, flowers, and herbs for our weekly markets and donations to local food banks and soup kitchens. Hughes Subaru in Athens, GA showed their Love for the Earth by digging in and helping expand the farm this April. The Subaru team enriched the soil with organic compost, built raised beds to maximize plant health, and prepared drip irrigation systems for water in summer’s heat. As a result of Hughes Subaru’s local leadership in sustainability, everyone in our community will have access to safe, nutritious, and local food options. Together, Subaru and Athens Land Trust are getting our hands dirty for healthy soil, healthy plants, and healthy communities.
Kelli M.
Working with Hughes Subaru for the Athens Community Council on Aging’s March for Meals campaign throughout March was a huge asset to our agency! Thanks to the engaged and compassionate staff, we were able to promote and raise funds for our vital Meals on Wheels program which serves 2,275 meals weekly to older adults in the Athens area. Hughes Subaru found many creative opportunities to support us during our campaign. A local brewery supported us by donating 100% of their sales each Wednesday throughout the month of March to our cause. Hughes Subaru staff showed up in full force to show their support! Their staff also volunteered to assist with meal deliveries which was a great help as all of our daily meal routes rely heavily on volunteers to maintain the level of assistance we offer. ACCA wrapped up the month with a March for Meals 5K with a Subaru bringing up the back of the race! Last but certainly not least, Hughes Subaru coordinated a test drive event in which they donated $25 to ACCA for every test drive that was performed! There were 19 test drives which equated to $475 raised to go towards Meals on Wheels. That is enough money to provide roughly 70 meals for older adults in our program! We are so thankful for our ongoing partnership with Hughes Subaru and their staff! In a county where 1 in 5 seniors face food insecurity, partnerships like this truly make a difference in the day-to-day lives of so many!
Kelly M.
The Athens Community Council on Aging, a non-profit organization, aims to maintain and enrich the lives of older persons in 12 counties of Northeast Georgia. ACCA’s programs enable older persons to live independently and provide services related to health and wellness, meals and caregiver support as well as opportunities for employment and volunteerism. This past holiday season, Hughes Subaru joined others in the community to participate in ACCA’s Be A Santa To A Senior. Santa to a Senior identifies seniors in our community who may not receive gifts during the holiday season. Local businesses and retailers display trees and wreaths with “wish list” ornaments from these seniors. Community members and other groups purchase presents from the senior’s wish lists. Hughes Subaru provided a Merry Christmas for over 25 seniors in need and helped wrap the gifts as part of the annual Holiday Wrapping Party! ACCA is grateful for our ongoing partnership! Together, we are improving the lives of seniors! Thanks to Hughes Subaru for supporting those in need!
Jed K.
The Athens Area Humane Society is a donor supported no-kill 501(c)3 organization dedicated to lowering area euthanasia rates through rescue, spay/neuter, adoption, humane education and pet retention programs. Hughes Subaru and AAHS have joined forces in this belief and the belief that every homeless pet deserves a loving home. Together, Hughes Subaru and AAHS promote adoption, Spay & Neuter and Humane Education in our community through funds raised during the Share the Love event. During the Subaru loves Pets event, the dealership donated food, toys, bedding and cleaning supplies for our shelter. As a result of our adoption events in 2016 alone, 25 homeless pets have found their 'furever' homes! While supporting their local humane society, Hughes Subaru goes above and beyond for pets in the Athens GA community, and this partnership has only begun. We at AAHS love the Hughes Subaru family for all they have done for us and the animals, we can only imagine the possibilities and adoptions to come!
Did Hughes Subaru go above and beyond, provide exceptional service, or support causes that are important to you? We'd love to hear about it.
SUBMIT A STORY