Community

Performance Lexus Presents Lexus 50 Bicycle Ride, Raises Funds for Wheels of Hope

Performance Lexus has proudly presented its all-new cycling event named Performance Lexus 50, and has helped raise much-needed funds for Niagara's Wheels of Hope program.

The ride was held on October 15, 2017 at the Balls Falls Conservation Centre, and saw participation from cyclists of all ages and skill levels. People could choose between a 5, 25, or 50-kilometre long scenic route, and enjoyed a fun day of family cycling while raising funds for Wheels of Hope.

Participants were treated to a meet-and-greet with Ryan Roth, Canadian road bicycle racer riding for Silber Pro Cycling Team, and Leah Kirchmann, Canadian racing cyclist and Olympic athlete. Both Ryan and Leah shared their experiences and provided professional cycling tips with everyone.

All riders enjoyed a complimentary breakfast and lunch, and took home free t-shirts. A participant also won a brand new Argon 18 Nitrogen Bicycle with Ultegra Groupset Team 30 wheels worth $4,600.

Performance Lexus Sales Manager Dave White said the team was very proud to host the ride in support of Wheels of Hope. "Canadian Cancer Society's Wheels of Hope program provides transportation to cancer patients, as many of them are not able to drive a vehicle on their own. This is a critical service that must be supported, and we're very proud to have raised funds for it through our Performance Lexus 50 event," he said.

Performance Lexus's organization of the Performance Lexus 50 event is a part of Performance Auto Group's Drive Change initiative, which ensures that our organization gives back visibly to the communities which we serve.

Performance Auto Group Presents 24th Annual United Way Golf Tournament, Raises Over $55,000

Performance Auto Group has presented its 24th Annual United Way of St. Catharines and District Golf Tournament in support of United Way of Niagara, and has helped raise over $55,000 for the charity's support programs.

The event was held on August 14, 2017 at the prestigious Peninsula Lakes Golf Club in Fenwick, Ontario. Over 180 golfers attended the tournament and played on the 27-hole course, and over 220 people enjoyed a first-class dinner hosted at the club by Performance Auto Group CEO Steve Alizadeh.

The popular event was organised and managed in its entirety by Performance Auto Group as presenting sponsor.

Bill Anderson, Performance Auto Group Community Ambassador and Chairperson of the event, said the tournament is one of the biggest fundraising events in the Niagara region and helps generate much-needed finances for one of the region's top charities. "The United Way Golf Tournament is considered one of the top fundraising events in the entire region. It raises funds for over 74 essential United Way of St. Catharines and District programs, and helps the organization run critical projects for communities-in-need. The event also helps finance nearly every medical research organization in Niagara, including those for cancer and heart disease," he said.

Bill said the tournament has been managed and presented by Performance Auto Group for the last 24 years, and is a vital part of the group's Drive Change initiative. "This event exemplifies our company's long-standing commitment to support community initiatives. For over three decades, we have single-handedly managed, organized and promoted The United Way of St. Catharines and District Golf Tournament, and have helped raised around $865,000 to-date from this one event. We are all very proud of this, and hope to continue organizing this event in future," he said.

Vehicles on display included top-of-the-line luxury models from Performance Lexus. The dealership showcased an RC 350 Coupe, an IS 350 F Sport Sedan and an RX 350 F Sport SUV. All three vehicles were very well received by everyone in attendance.

Performance Auto Group's organization of the United Way Golf Tournament is a part of the group's Drive Change initiative, which ensures that our organization gives back visibly to the communities which we serve.

Performance Lexus Sponsors Ride Don't Hide, Helps Raise Over $35,400 for Mental Health

Performance Lexus has participated in the 2017 Ride Don't Hide as an Advocate Level Sponsor, and has helped raise over $35,400 for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).

The event was held at the Brock University campus in St. Catharines, and saw over 175 people attend and ride bicycles to help raise funds for CMHA Niagara. Performance Lexus made a direct donation in support of the event, and also set up highly-visible vehicle displays near the registration tent to engage participants.

A total of three brand new, top-of-the-line SUVs were on display, including an RX 350 F SPORT Series 3, an NX 200t F SPORT Series 3, and an NX 200t Executive. All vehicles had prominent Performance Auto Group and Performance Lexus graphics on them, and effectively showcased the group's commitment to the community.

Performance Lexus General Manager Niels Pedersen said he was very proud to have sponsored an important event like Ride Don't Hide. "Performance Lexus has participated in Ride Don't Hide alongside 31 communities in six different provinces, and has helped raise over $1.5 million for mental health programs nationwide. The amount raised in Niagara this year has broken all previous records, and will help ensure the availability of counselling programs in every local community. Therefore, we are very proud to have sponsored this significant event, and hope to continue doing so in future," said Niels.

Ride Don't Hide is an annual fundraiser hosted by the CMHA in support of mental health for all, with the goal of ending the stigma around mental illness. First launched with Michael Schratter's 40,000 km ride around the globe in 2010, Ride Don't Hide is a growing national movement with bike rides in communities across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Performance Lexus's sponsorship of Niagara's third annual Ride Don't Hide event is a part of Performance Auto Group's Drive Change initiative, which ensures that our organization gives back visibly to the communities which we serve.

Performance Lexus Sponsors Women and Wellness event, Helps Raise over $54,500

Performance Lexus has participated in the 2017 Women and Wellness Educational Fundraiser as a Community Advocate Sponsor, and has helped raise over $54,500 for Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Niagara's Walk-In Counselling Program.

The event, titled Building a Mental Wellness Community, was held on February 16, 2017 at Club Roma in St. Catharines, and was attended by over 700 people. Performance Lexus helped encourage on-site donations through a Drive Your Dreams Weekend giveaway, which saw people bidding to win a dream Niagara getaway package in a top-of-the-line luxury performance car.

The vehicle was a 2017 Lexus NX 200t F SPORT in stunning Solar Flare, and was given away for a full weekend along with an overnight stay in an upscale hotel, dinner at fancy restaurants, and tickets to popular attractions. The event raised much-needed funds to support community-level mental health programs, and educated guests on common mental health conditions and the treatments and support available for each of them.

Performance Lexus General Manager Niels Pedersen said he was very proud to have sponsored an important event like Women and Wellness. "It is imperative to fund and support initiatives around mental health to ensure the availability of counselling programs in every community. Organizations like the CMHA are working towards exactly this goal, and provide much-needed support to people living with mental health conditions. Therefore, we are very proud to have sponsored the 7th Annual Women and Wellness event," said Niels.

The fundraiser saw numerous speakers discuss their experiences with mental health, and was headlined by well-known comedian, author and public speaker Susan Stewart.

Performance Lexus's sponsorship of the 7th Annual Women and Wellness event is a part of Performance Auto Group's Drive Change initiative, which ensures that our organization gives back visibly to the communities which we serve.

Performance Lexus sponsors Niagara Jazz Festival, Attracts Hundreds at SUV displays

Performance Lexus has sponsored the 2016 Niagara Jazz Festival, and has attracted hundreds of people at its SUV displays at the event.

The festival was held from July 29 to 31, 2016, and saw Performance Lexus showcase the brand new RX 350 and the NX 200t. The vehicle displays garnered lots of public attention, with people visiting them throughout the three-day event and taking pictures of the striking new SUVs.

This is the third time that Performance Lexus has sponsored the Niagara Jazz Festival, making the dealership's participation an annual occurrence since the festival's inception. Niels Pedersen, General Manager of Performance Lexus, said the dealership has always been committed to serving the community, and its participation in the jazz festival is part of that commitment.

"We are dedicated to supporting our local community, and are proud to have always sponsored a significant cultural event like the Niagara Jazz Festival. Our support not only assists the artists and the event, but also contributes significantly to supporting the arts in our community," said Niels.

The Niagara Jazz Festival is a cutting edge celebration of all types of jazz music, and presents the finest Canadian and internationally-acclaimed jazz musicians. Performance Lexus's sponsorship of the festival is a part of Performance Auto Group's Drive Change initiative, which ensures that our organization gives back visibly to the communities which we serve.

Performance Auto Group's Drive Your Dreams giveaway raises $6,600 for Pathstone Mental Health

Performance Auto Group has raised $6,600 for Pathstone Mental Health through its Drive Your Dreams weekend giveaway, providing much-needed funds to develop and support mental health services for children and youth in Niagara.

The funds were raised during Pathstone's Hope Award presentation ceremony at the Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls on Friday, June 10, 2016, and saw people bidding to win a dream Niagara getaway package in a top-of-the-line luxury performance car.

One of the cars up for grabs for a full weekend was a Lexus RX 350 F Sport SUV provided by Performance Lexus. The package also included an overnight stay in an upscale hotel, dinner at fancy restaurants, and tickets to popular activities such as the Shaw Festival.

Performance Auto Group Community Ambassador Bill Anderson said the group has always been committed to serving the community, and its participation in the Hope Award ceremony is part of that commitment. "It is imperative to purge all stigmas associated with mental health, so that people can talk about mental disorders as comfortably as their physical health. Organizations like Pathstone are working towards erasing negativity around mental health and are making it easy for people to seek help, which is why we are proud to support their fundraising initiatives," said Bill.

The Hope Award ceremony is held every year to honour and recognize exceptional contributions made by individuals to improve the lives of children and families living with mental health challenges. This year, the award was presented to Dr. Hilda Makken, a pediatrician from Fort Erie, for demonstrating outstanding commitment to helping youth overcome mental challenges.

The ceremony was headlined by keynote speaker Margaret Trudeau, mother of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Ms. Trudeau shared her story of living with Bipolar Disorder, and stressed the need for everyone living with mental challenges to seek help without fear.

Performance Auto Group's fundraising initiative for Pathstone Mental Health is a part of the group's Drive Change initiative, which ensures that our organization gives back visibly to the communities which we serve.

Performance Auto Group Partners with Habitat for Humanity Niagara to Help Build House

Performance Auto Group has partnered with Habitat for Humanity Niagara and has helped construct a home for families-in-need in Port Colbourne, Ontario.

The event was held on Monday, February 8, 2015, and saw employees from Performance Lexus put on construction boots and work alongside volunteers to help build the home. The team helped lay down the subfloor and the laminated wood flooring, and also sanded the wood trim and painted the floor. They also donated $565 raised through a special employee barbecue held a few weeks prior to the event.

Bill Anderson, Community Ambassador for Performance Auto Group, said that Habitat for Humanity gives true meaning to giving and caring. "No matter who you are or where you are from, everyone can contribute," said Bill, adding, "Performance Auto Group and its employees are extremely proud to have partnered with Habitat for Humanity, and very happy to have contributed to such an important cause."

Performance Auto Group's collaboration with Habitat for Humanity Niagara and its donation to the charity is a part of the group's Drive Change initiative, which ensures that the organization gives back visibly to the communities which it serves.

Learn more about Performance Auto Group's Drive Change initiative