ADESA Auction Raises $26,000 for Canine Companions Wounded Veterans Initiative

The NADA Foundation's Frank E. McCarthy Memorial Fund contributes a $10,000 grant

ORLANDO, FL--Feb. 11, 2013: Auto industry consultant Joe Verde was the top bidder on a 2011 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy--auctioned at the NADA Convention and Expo on Feb. 10. The motorcycle was donated by ADESA, which runs vehicle auctions throughout North America.

Verde's winning bid of $26,000 will benefit the Wounded Veterans Initiative of Canine Companions for Independence, a cause long supported by the nation's new-car and -truck dealers.

"I'm a veteran. My dad was a veteran, and my son and grandkids are all veterans," said Verde, president of Joe Verde Sales and Management Training in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. "I appreciate everything all the men and women in the armed forces do for all of us. We thank NADA for making the grant possible."

This is second consecutive year ADESA has held a live auction at the NADA convention.

"Last year, we were excited by the opportunity to try something new and host a charity motorcycle auction in our booth at NADA," said Tom Caruso, president and CEO of ADESA. "It was so much fun and so successful that we couldn't pass up the opportunity to do it again this year. Thanks to the generosity and support of NADA attendees, ADESA has been able to raise more than $44,000 for the NADA Foundation and Canine Companies for Independence."

Since 2002, the Frank E. McCarthy Memorial Fund of the National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation has contributed $190,000 to Canine Companions, placing 19 companion dogs with physically disabled children and military veterans. The NADA Foundation established the fund to honor McCarthy after his death in 2001.

"I know Frank would be thrilled with this," said Pat McCarthy, referring to her late husband, who served as NADA president for more than three decades. "When you hear the children and veterans talking about how these dogs impact their lives, it makes it all worthwhile."

"We want more dealers to get involved in supporting NADA's fund for Canine Companions," McCarthy added.

In addition, the NADA Foundation's McCarthy Fund presented a $10,000 grant to the Wounded Veterans Initiative at the convention on Feb. 9.

"We're pleased to provide this grant to the Wounded Veterans Initiative of Canine Companions," said Annette Sykora, an NADA Foundation trustee. "It's a wonderful tribute to Frank's memory to give back to those who have served our country."