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Dodge offers up charity Care-A-Van

Brand new van can be used by non-profits in need of a set of a wheels
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Steve Mercandelli

On Friday, Aug. 9, Cranbrook Dodge is inviting the public and non-profit organizations for an event from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. for the official launch of the community Care-A-Van.

The Care-A-Van is actually a 2013 Dodge Caravan that the dealership is putting up for use by non-profits and groups in the community with a lack of reliable transport and a genuine need for a set of wheels.

Steve Mercandelli, general sales manager at Cranbrook Dodge said the idea came about from the owner's hope to help the community in a meaningful way.

"Dave Girling's always looking for ways to give back to the community," Mercandelli said. "We've done a number of events in the past and we've noticed there is sometimes a lack of transportation, like for schools and sports events and things like that."

Mercandelli said his son is on a hockey team and found that the team was always looking for donations to help get them somewhere. A van like the Care-A-Van is something that could help.

"If we can give a van for the community to use, that might help offset some of the costs of the event and such," he said, adding that it's not just about the sports side of things, but also could help a sick child.

"Let's say someone has an illness that they have to travel to Calgary or whereever and they don't have reliable transportation – this could be used in that respect as well."

Those groups or people who wish to use the van will fill out an application, the dealership will gauge if it's a legitimate need before giving out the keys, as well as if the van is available at the requested time. The van is first come, first serve.

This is the first year that the dealership has ventured into this kind of deal.

"It's brand new," he said.

The launch is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday at Cranbrook Dodge located at 1725 Cranbrook Street North. Call the dealership at 250-426-6614 for more details.