President’s Message
Terry Kiwala
 
A Community Helping Others
 
As the sky turned an ominous shade of gray over Oklahoma City May 16, I kept checking the weather radar on my phone. While preparing to head to the airport, Masood Khan expressed dismay that I could not be in attendance at the evening’s banquet, capping Central Oklahoma Section’s annual Spring Car Show, as the event’s earnings would be awarded to the Central and Western Oklahoma American Red Cross. “We raised over $10,000 last year,” Masood told me. “All proceeds from this event are donated to charity.” I was so pleased to read in the Section’s recent newsletter, Sooner Star News, that $12,200 was raised and proceeds donated to help people in need.

I had a similar experience with StarTech 2015 in June. Pam Zelman, Peter Emslander and the entire Cincinnati Section put on a fabulous tech weekend. As if a fun weekend weren’t good enough to experience in and of itself, Peter later sent me a final accounting of the event: To my surprise and delight, this included substantial donations to seven local Cincinnati charities.

Charitable giving is happening constantly within MBCA’s sections and I witness the generosity of our members and sponsors consistently as I travel the country. As you would probably agree, MBCA members are a fortunate bunch. We are fortunate to drive and gather together, celebrating the cars we love. We are even more fortunate to enjoy numerous opportunities to gather with good friends with whom we celebrate good times over and over again. As President of this organization, nothing makes me happier than to see the true spirit of Mercedes-Benz Club of America, as evidenced by a commitment to charitable acts of kindness and generosity.

Charitable acts are comprised of both activity and giving. Many section members donate their time, even after writing a check to a deserving cause. For years, MBCA members in Kansas City have volunteered for Uplift, an organization that serves local homeless people. In Southwest Florida, members volunteered countless hours to support and raise funds for Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology, a vocational high school in Naples. In North Carolina, the Tarheel Section recently raised a substantial sum for Alzheimer’s research as part of its Rock Barn Euro Classic Car Show. Up in Western Canada, the British Columbia Section donates to the Vancouver Harvest Project, a Vancouver area charity that helps feed the homeless and families in need. This is a fine example of what can be found everyday in each section as members quietly work hard behind the scenes to support and improve their communities and help those who are less fortunate.

As I see MBCA members sharing their good fortune with others, I’m consistently inspired by their wonderful nature, generosity and benevolent character. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – MBCA members are one of a kind.

As you read this column, summer is sadly coming to a quick close (at least, that’s what always happens in Chicago). The holidays will be here before you know it and there will be festive gatherings of MBCA members around the country. In that holiday spirit, sections will naturally remember the less fortunate and make meaningful contributions to meet the needs within communities.

I applaud these efforts and challenge each and every section member to take this one step further in the coming year: Please make a renewed focus to constantly support a worthwhile charity in your community. Make contributions that are both financial and temporal that serve the less fortunate. And collectively, share our good fortune to consistently improve the lives of those around us: I want to hear about your efforts so I may join you and enjoy the true spirit of what it means to be an MBCA member.