The 14th annual Subaru Share the Love campaign resulted in Subaru of Jacksonville’s largest donation yet, $157,889, to Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
The contribution also is the largest charitable gift of all Subaru dealerships this year nationwide, according to an April 14 news release from the hospital.
“With every passing year of this partnership, we feel more and more fortunate to be in a position to make these donations,” said Phil Porter, owner of Subaru of Jacksonville, in the release.
“We haven’t always been able to make a donation like this, but the growth and success of the Subaru brand has truly helped us make a huge impact in and around our community. We consider it an honor to be able to support the hospital and all of the families that are helped each and every day.”
The donation will help fund care and advanced technology to treat critically ill and injured children at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, along with child passenger safety education through The Players Center for Child Health at the hospital.
“We are constantly amazed by the generosity of the Porters, Subaru of Jacksonville, and the Northeast Florida community,” said Michael Aubin, president of Wolfson Children’s Hospital and chief philanthropy officer of the Baptist Health Foundation, in the release.
“This donation will help ensure we are able to serve the most critically ill and injured babies and children, while also promoting education and awareness to keep kids safe and out of the hospital to begin with.”
During the campaign, Subaru donated $250 for every new vehicle purchased or leased from Subaru of Jacksonville between Nov.18, 2021, and Jan. 3, 2022.
Customers could choose from four national charities for the $250 donation including ASPCA, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Meals on Wheels and the National Park Foundation – or Subaru of Jacksonville’s hometown charity, Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
The dealership matched each $250 donation regardless of the charity chosen by the customer, with all matching funds benefiting Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
Subaru of America and Subaru of Jacksonville also donated $2 and $3, respectively, to Wolfson Children’s for every Subaru oil change at the dealership during the campaign.
Subaru of Jacksonville was the first corporate partner to support trauma services at Wolfson Children’s and established the Subaru of Jacksonville Porter Family Trauma Services Endowment, creating a legacy of support.
To date, Subaru of Jacksonville has donated $1.3 million to Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
In recognition of their contributions, Wolfson Children’s announced last year the region’s only state-designated Pediatric Trauma Center would be named the Porter Family Children’s Trauma Center.
Subaru of Jacksonville also is the presenting sponsor of Wolfson Children’s annual summer toy drive, Christmas in July, and supports two of Wolfson Children’s signature fundraisers, the Wolfson Children’s Challenge and Smoking Clays for Kids, which raise money for life-saving equipment and technology.