Haddad Subaru presents the Berkshire Humane Society on Friday with an $8,000 donation raised during last year's Share the Love event.

Haddad's 'charity mobile' is decked out with logos of organizations the dealership has supported. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — An $8,000 boost from Haddad Subaru sparked canine and human smiles at the Berkshire Humane Society on Friday.

The sizable donation is a result of the dealership's 2023 Share the Love event, which has raised more than $130,000 for the shelter in eight years of being a beneficiary. In partnership with Subaru of America, the dealership donates a fraction of service tickets and car sales during November and December.

"The consumer that actually is purchasing the vehicle gets to choose where they want this donation to go and overwhelming support has been for the Humane Society," said Chris Kramek, general manager of Haddad Subaru.

Adoptable dogs Riddick, Rosie, and Teddy joined the check presentation. BHS Executive Director John Perreault said he knows that the Haddad team would certainly like these dogs in a home by the end of the day.

For each new Subaru sold or leased between Nov. 16, 2023,  and Jan. 2, 2024, the purchaser could chose one of two local charities to receive $300. Strong Little Souls of Pittsfield is another beneficiary of the 2023 Share the Love drive, also receiving a large check for pediatric cancer awareness.

"This is the eighth year for the Share the Love campaign and to date, we've raised over $131,000. Now what does that mean? It means a lot," Perrault said.

"It's not just the animals finding homes, it's us being able to provide food for our pet food pantry, some discounts at our wellness clinic, taking in pets of people in crisis for our Safe Pet Program. This goes a long way."

The shelter houses more than 1,500 animals a month and Perreault said the partnership with Haddad's makes a "major impact."  

"I also want to thank them for everything that they do in our community," he added. "We are just one of the many organizations that helped throughout the year."

Parked behind the BHS and Haddad's representatives were vehicles purchased from and maintained by the dealership. Perreault explained that when the shelter is looking for a vehicle, they look to Haddad's because of their philanthropic practices, as "nonprofits wouldn't really benefit or be here if it wasn't for our local businesses and Haddad's is certainly at the top of that list."

"They're a great community partner," he said.

Kramek highlighted the "charity mobile," a Subaru Forester adorned with logos from organizations the dealership has supported.

"These are all of the philanthropic efforts that we participate in throughout the year. None of them are one-and-done so we continue to work with them. I probably have another six or seven stickers I need to put on there," he said.

"So it just kind of gives the public a little bit of an idea of what Haddad Helps means. This isn't just the Subaru store, this is also our Toyota store, our Hyundai store participates in a lot of these programs as well."

This allows customers to see that the sale doesn't just result in a commission, he added, as monies are going into the community.

Tickets are now on sale for the 12th annual Choose Your Subaru raffle where the winner can choose from a brand new Subaru from the dealership. One can be purchased for $40 or three for $100 with the drawing this fall.

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