The 2023 Subaru Love Promise Community Commitment Award
We've been nationally recognized for our dedication to our community and the Subaru Love Promise.
We're honored to receive the 2023 Subaru Love Promise Community Commitment Award. This award nationally recognizes Subaru retailers who are making the world a better place while demonstrating an outstanding commitment to supporting passions and causes in local communities. These efforts are focused in important areas such as the environment, community, health, education, and pets.
What is the Subaru Love Promise?
Subaru and our retailers believe in making the world a better place and the Subaru Love Promise is our vision of respecting all people. This is our commitment to show love and respect to our customers and to work to make a positive impact in the world.
How is Victory Subaru dedicated locally to the Love Promise?
Our Love Promise can be seen in various partnerships with local charities and non-profits. We're grateful for the opportunity, not only to be a part of our community, but to serve it as well.
Love Promise Stories from Victory Subaru
Subaru and Victory Subaru believe in making a positive impact on the communities in which we live and work. We uphold that belief through our Love Promise Community Commitment. Every month, we select inspiring stories from customers and partners from around our area who strive to support our collective commitment and feature them here
Give A Dog A Chance! Adopt Don't Shop - Jenni Dawn S
SOMERSET — Advocates for animal well-being united at Victory Subaru for a special Give A Dog A Chance event featuring New Jersey State Senator Raymond J. Lesniak and Somerset Regional Animal Shelter. Senator Lesniak served as a state lawmaker for four decades where he championed historic animal well-being legislation that is now law. Since retiring from the state house in 2018, the Elizabeth native has continued to advocate for social justice causes. While delivering a keynote address on the power to make a difference for shelter pups, Senator Lesniak encouraged everyone to “adopt, don’t shop” when seeking to bring a dog into one’s home as a new family member. He also addressed the importance of advocacy, noting that everyone can make a difference. This year Victory Subaru again partnered with Somerset Regional Animal Shelter for Subaru Loves Pets. The shelter brought a “homeless” puppy, Savannah, who was up for adoption to meet with the senator and fellow friends at the dealership. She met and greeted sales associates, service team members and customers during her special visit. For every dog and cat adopted at the shelter this past October, the dealership, in conjunction with Subaru of America, donated $100 per pet to Somerset Regional Animal Shelter to help ensure more shelter animals can find their fur-ever homes. The event on October 31 took place on the very last day of this campaign in celebration of all the good achieved thanks to our loyal customers, dedicated staff and all the wonderful advocates at Somerset Regional Animal Shelter. The opportunity to come together with a celebratory moment was an important way to close the dealership's annual, month-long campaign to #GiveADogAChance. All Subaru Loves Pets proceeds from the campaign raised this past October are directly benefiting the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter. Heartfelt thanks to all who support shelter animals during their quests to find fur-ever homes. Back in 2017, Senator Lesniak made a surprise visit in support of the pups and New Jersey volunteers at Victory Subaru during the dealership’s fifth annual springtime adoption event for rescue dogs. Nonprofits in attendance included North Brunswick Humane Association, German Shepherd Rescue of New Jersey, JerseyGirls AnimalRescue and North Jersey Humane Society Rescue Center and Second Chance For Animals. “Thank you to Subaru,” Senator Lesniak said during his keynote address to animal advocates at Victory Subaru on October 31. “I have adopted dogs myself.” Lesniak said he continues to work in Trenton for the state to ban the sale of dogs in shops, as New York has done. “These animals are our friends,” he said.
A Cycle of Service - Tim C
A while back, Lavette, Residential Associate, Team Lead in our Adolescent Residential program had to take her daughter to the emergency room. What came next was a pretty amazing story. “While we were in the emergency room, my daughter was being attended to by this wonderful young nurse. As we waited for the doctor to come in, I told the nurse that I had to check in at work to let them know I would be late. She asked, ‘Where do you work?’ I replied, ‘The Center for Great Expectations.’ She looked at me with this huge smile on her face and said, ‘I was there.’ Curious, I asked her what she did when she was there. Her reply? ‘I had my baby there. I was a client.’ Not expecting that response left me speechless for a moment. Here I was face-to-face with one of our Adolescent program success stories. Someone who came to us as a pregnant teenager struggling with trauma, abuse or mental health issue, is now leading this wonderful, productive, full life as both a mother and a nurse. After I overcame my initial shock, we began chatting about her time at CGE. She told me how nurturing and compassionate our staff was as they worked with her to help her. They taught her how to be a good mother and helped put her on the path towards her nursing career. We shared a lot of stories about CGE that day — as well as some tears, hugs and even a few laughs. I couldn’t wait to get back to CGE to tell everyone this story. And as soon as I brought my daughter back home, that’s exactly what I did. I could see a great sense of pride and quite a few teary eyes as I retold my story again and again. To this day, I never get tired of telling it. It’s a testament to the work we do here every day. It’s not easy. And we may never see the end results. But when we do, it’s magical.” “Of course, we couldn’t embark on this life-changing work were it not for our incredible partners, like the team at Victory Subaru. Thanks to their ongoing and incredible support, we at The Center for Great Expectations are able to provide a safe presence and path for individuals such as this resilient young woman to launch forward,” states COO, Tim Cummings.
4th annual multiple sclerosis fundraiser! - Traci C
My name is Traci and I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when I was 21. Living with this disability was an unexpected and unpredictable Journey. A few years back when I was sick I was in need of help and the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation helped me in many ways to repay them I started to fundraise in hopes to help them out the way they helped me. I decided to organize a Tricky Tray fundraiser to help raise money to give right back of what they helped me with Subaru has been gracious enough to donate to this event every year with the support of gift cards to be donated to the event to be raffled off! Every year they have gifted me with donations and I am truly grateful for their support as it helps millions of people Nationwide and happy to say in the four years I was able to raise almost $80,000 with the help and support of Subaru. Thank you so much from your company to my fundraiser as I can't do this without you Victory Subaru is an amazing company and I'm glad to call them part of my family.
Victory Subaru donates $31,500 to support domestic violence victims in recovery - Jenni Dawn S
Victory Subaru presented a charitable donation of $31,500 to The Center for Great Expectations to support people in recovery from trauma. Funds were raised during the 14th annual SHARE THE LOVE event to support the nonprofit’s charitable mission facilitating the healing and recovery of domestic abuse victims and their families in New Jersey. “Victory Subaru is proud to support our community and the incredible work achieved by The Center for Great Expectations,” said Brandon Baker, owner of Victory Subaru. "Victims of domestic abuse are not alone thanks to the good work of this incredible local charity, which helps women and children in need to uplift families in Somerset and across New Jersey.” The Center for Great Expectations, founded in 1998, provides expecting mothers, facing homelessness in order to flee domestic violence, with a safe place to live so that they may complete a healthy pregnancy. The center offers adolescent and adult services including outpatient treatment and permanent supportive housing. Victory Subaru presented the check for $31,500 to The Center for Great Expectations this past spring on April 22. "Community is everything! Victory Subaru is a stellar example of what happens when people come together and commit making a direct impact on the lives of women, children, and families,” said Peg Wright, president and CEO of The Center for Great Expectations. “We couldn’t do this without you," she said. "Thank you!" The annual SHARE THE LOVE event, which runs during the holiday season from November through the New Year, is part of the Love Promise at Victory Subaru. Earlier this year, Victory Subaru was awarded the 2022 Love Promise Community Commitment Award for its ongoing charitable endeavors. “Victory Subaru understands that being a good neighbor calls on us to champion the good work of local advocates in our community helping families in need,” said Anthony Napoleon, Victory Subaru general manager. “We were honored to support the mission and advocacy achieved by The Center for Great Expectations as our Hometown Charity for the 14th annual Subaru Share the Love event. The Love Promise commitment is an opportunity for us to unite with hometown heroes to create a better world through acts of compassion, charity and love.” “Victory Subaru continues to reaffirm our commitment to this community by supporting our neighbors and friends at The Center for Great Expectations whose mission is to help victims in recovery heal from the trauma of domestic violence,” Mr. Baker said. “Together we can make a difference — always.”
Adoption of Senior Dog Oscar - Brian B
He’s been with the shelter since 2014. Over the last year, we’ve adopted-out 8,000 dogs and cats to loving homes in New Jersey and elsewhere in the Tri-State region. Heartwarmingly, senior dog Oscar, 10, found his fur-ever home during Subaru Loves Pets charitable event in October. “After living 10 years with one owner, who recently passed away, Oscar was brought to our shelter very sad and even defensive. His world had just been turned upside down,” Bradshaw said. “Oscar spent some time here in the shelter decompressing and then the search began with our team to find him the right home. After just over a month, on October 8, he found his fur-ever home with two friends living in Somerset County,” Bradshaw said. “During his month-long-stay at Somerset Regional Animal Shelter, Oscar learned to trust again and also learned that people are here to help him. Oscar’s adoption renewed his faith in humanity,” Bradshaw reflected. “He is not alone.” “We are continuing to work with Victory Subaru to #MakeADogsDay in our mission to find homeless pets their fur-ever homes so their dreams of happiness come true.” Thanks to the community’s support, the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter found fur-ever homes for 53 dogs and 48 cats in October. In addition to Oscar, these adoptions included fur-ever homes for long-term rescues Patty, a cat; Suzie, a dog; and Oliver, a cat, among 98 other lucky pups and kitties. Michele Chevalier of Victory Subaru is presenting donated supplies including food, treats and toys for dogs and cats to Somerset Regional Animal Shelter in December. Together we can make a difference!
Victory Subaru hosts child safety seat checks - Jen S
SOMERSET, N.J. — In honor of service to our community and protecting the most innocent among us, children, Victory Subaru united with the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office Child Safety Seat Installation Unit to conduct child safety seat checks of vehicles. Car seats and boosters provide protection for infants and children in a crash, yet car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The first-ever event of its kind at the dealership took place on October 30. Grandparents and parents were invited to stop by Victory Subaru for this special service event open to all and free of charge. Certified technicians inspected child car seats to see if they were properly installed, demonstrated correct procedures before parents and guardians and taught them proper installation steps concurrently. Members of Somerset Sheriff’s Office Child Safety Seat Installation Unit were also available for five hours on October 30 to answer any questions from the public while conducting the child car seat safety checks. The Service Center at Victory Subaru let customers know throughout the day that the Somerset Sheriff’s Office Child Safety Seat Installation Unit was on-site conducting the complimentary safety checks. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 325 children under the age of five were protected from suffering fatal injuries in 2017 thanks to being properly restrained in either child safety or booster seats. However, across America, nearly 100 children die each year in car crashes because they are not properly restrained. Due to the importance of providing this free service to the community, Victory Subaru shall hold this event again with the members of Somerset Sheriff’s Office Child Safety Seat Installation Unit in August ahead of the 2022-23 academic school year. Victory Subaru extends specials thanks to Sales Consultant Maria Mandas for connecting the dealership with the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office to launch this important new endeavor in service to our community. Our sales team truly cares about the families driving little ones on the roadways and their safety means everything to us. As part of our Love Promise commitment, we truly love to care. We are excited to continue growing this new partnership with the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office now and in the near future. Together we can make a difference! #LovePromise #SubaruLovesToCare #SomersetCommunity
Subaru Loves Learning supports soldiers’ children - Jen S
SOMERSET, N.J. — For the past several years, Victory Subaru has supported the education of children who are members of military families through Operation Homefront. In September, Victory Subaru traveled to Veterans of Foreign Wars Clark-Moetz Post No. 2319 in Milltown to present all-new school supplies and made a $500 monetary charitable donation. Celebrating the moment was Michele Chevalier on behalf of Victory Subaru and VFW Commander Bob Kolesar Jr. Each August during a month-long Subaru Loves Learning charitable event at the dealership, Victory Subaru collects school supplies from the community in support of the VFW’s backpack annual drive. The supplies are used to fill bookbags for the youth of military families ahead of the new school year. Victory Subaru thanks everyone in the community who kindly donated all-new essential school supplies for this charitable effort. Employees of the dealership also contributed donations. Like the Subaru Loves Learning campaign this past August, in 2020 as well as in previous past years, the Victory Subaru team was able to donate several boxes full of all-new educational supplies — including 25 bookbags — to Milltown-North Brunswick VFW Clark-Moetz Post 2319 plus presented the organization with a cash donation of $500. Victory Subaru is proud to support New Jersey's military children, veterans and their families. Education is key for all children and we are dedicated to continue supporting the families supported by the VFW Post #2319 in Milltown to further this effort now and in the future. "Thank you very much,” said Bob Kolesar Jr., commander of Post No. 2319 Clark-Moetz. “This is going to do a lot to assist our Brigadier Backpack program,” the commander continued, “and help our soldiers’ children go back to school properly.” Learn more: www.VictorySubaru.com. #SubaruLovesToCare #SubaruLovesLearning #SubaruLovePromise
GREAT EXPECTATIONS FOR HEALTH, WELL-BEING - Jen S
SOMERSET, N.J. — Every person deserves love. Love brings safety, hope, strength and bravery — well-being, peace, security and health. Yet in America, more than 12 million people suffer domestic violence from an intimate partner each year. And during the pandemic shutdown of 2020 with the majority of states across the nation enacting stay-at-home orders, many people were trapped at home with intimate partners who inflicted violence on them. In 2020, the Center for Great Expectations (CGE) served over 1,000 individuals across seven different counties in New Jersey. The nonprofit, based in Somerset, operates six unique programs — its continuum of care — that are in place to support clients at various stages of their lives. During the statewide pandemic shutdown last spring, Victory Subaru drove a fully loaded Outback, filled with all-new essential supplies, plus arts and crafts for families and toys for children, to The Center for Great Expectations in Somerset, New Jersey. Items included brand-new packages of baby wipes and diapers, cases of distilled water, dish soap, laundry detergent and containers of hair conditioner and body wash. The donation also included coloring books, markers, colored pencils and an assortment of games, among other goodies for youngsters to enjoy. “You all helped, and continue to help, shape me into a better person, a better mother, a better human being. I couldn’t have done any of it without CGE,” said a New Jerseyan in a testimonial earlier this year. “Hands down I owe my life to CGE and the wonderful people there. They helped me do a complete 180 turn in a direction where living is actually possible.” For the second consecutive year, Victory Subaru named The Center for Great Expectations as the dealership’s Hometown Charity for the annual SUBARU SHARE THE LOVE EVENT — underway now through January 3, 2022. “Victory Subaru is reaffirming our commitment to this community by pledging continual charitable support to help our neighbors and friends at The Center for Great Expectations where victims in recovery can heal from the trauma of domestic violence in New Jersey,” said Brandon Baker, owner of Victory Subaru in Somerset, New Jersey. Dedicated to helping our community thrive, especially by supporting the health and well-being of society’s most vulnerable individuals and families, Victory Subaru is grateful for the opportunity to continue partnership with a local nonprofit dedicated to the recovery of domestic abuse victims. "Victims of domestic abuse are not alone thanks to the good work of this incredible local charity, which helps women and children across the entire state," Mr. Baker said. The Center for Great Expectations, founded in 1998, provides expecting mothers, facing homelessness in order to flee domestic violence, with a safe place to live so that they may complete a healthy pregnancy. The center offers adolescent and adult services including outpatient treatment and permanent supportive housing. “Being a good neighbor tasks us all with the opportunity to support one another while championing the work of local advocates helping families in need," Mr. Baker said. "The Love Promise is our commitment to always support our community by supporting the people around us working to create a better world through acts of compassion.“It’s amazing to work with such a fantastic organization as Victory Subaru,” said Tim Cummings, chief operations officer at The Center for Great Expectations. “Having a close relationship with such a dynamic partner is incredibly significant to our work and mission. It really does take a village and this partnership highlights the importance and significance of robust community relationships," he said. “Subaru’s generosity has helped us create a safe space and path for clients, equipping them with the tools and resources required to lead healthy and productive lives free of the generational cycle of abuse and neglect,” Mr. Cummings stated. “Individuals that come to the center seeking support bring with them extensive trauma histories and are often in their early stages of recovery,” Mr. Cummings said. “It is amazing to witness the transformation and growth that can occur when engaged in a supportive and therapeutic setting." Victory Subaru has supported The Center for Great Expectations steadily during the last seven years. The nonprofit was selected as the dealership’s Hometown Charity in 2014 and 2020. On May 17, Victory Subaru presented charitable donations to two hometown nonprofits including $13,538 to the Center for Great Expectations.This autumn, Victory Subaru donated all-new Halloween customs to the children who are supported by The Center of Great Expectations as their parents recover from trauma. “Doing the most good possible in the local community wouldn't be possible,” Mr. Baker noted, “without the support of Victory Subaru’s wonderful community-conscientious customers."
MAKE A DOG’S DAY: SARGE FINDS HIS FUR-EVER HOME - Jen S
SOMERSET, N.J. — This October, Victory Subaru partnered with Somerset Regional Animal Shelter for Subaru Loves Pet, a month-long charitable event. As a result, 102 shelter animals were adopted within 31 days, breaking the shelter’s previous adoption monthly record for 2021. For every dog and cat adopted at the shelter in October, the dealership, in conjunction with Subaru of America, donated $100 per pet to Somerset Regional Animal Shelter to help ensure more shelter animals were adopted this holiday season. “By partnering with Subaru the increased promotion and social media presence not only brought in much needed funds, but resulted in a whopping 102 adoptions,” said Rose Tropeano of Somerset Regional Animal Shelter in Bridgewater, New Jersey. This marked one of the biggest adoption months on record in 2021 for the shelter, she said. Heartwarmingly, long-time shelter dog Sarge found his fur-ever home during Subaru Loves Pets charitable event in October. “Sarge came to our shelter from an overcrowded shelter in South Carolina where he didn't have much hope of finding a forever home. He was brought to New Jersey to increase his chances of finding a new best friend,” Ms. Tropeano said. “Subaru took Sarge's story to heart and wholeheartedly promoted him during the event through their Facebook and Instagram pages. Then the day came and his forever family found him and brought him home,” Ms. Tropeano said. “Victory Subaru did #MakeADogsDay.” She added, “We are ever grateful for their generosity in partnering with us.” Thanks to the community’s support, the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter found fur-ever homes for 102 animals in October. In addition to Sarge, these adoptions included fur-ever homes for Tasha, Ace and Benji among 98 other lucky pups and kitties. At the end of the month-long Subaru Loves Pets charitable campaign, Victory Subaru presented a supply donation to Somerset Regional Animal Shelter. Michele Chevaliere of Victory Subaru presented the donated supplies, including food, treats and toys for dogs and cats, to Brian Bradshaw, the shelter’s manager. Animals in shelters are just as loving, snuggly, and devoted as other animals — all they need is a chance to prove they belong with a fur-ever family of their own. Victory Subaru extends heartfelt thanks to everyone in our community who participated in the Subaru Loves Pets month-long initiative to help 102 last-to-be-adopted pets — like Sarge — finally find loving homes. Together we can make a difference! www.victorysubaru.com #LovePromise #MakeADogsDay #SubaruLovesPets
Victory Subaru Supports Bridgewater Shelter - Rose T
During the month of October, Somerset Regional Animal Shelter was lucky enough to be chosen as the animal shelter to participate in the Subaru Loves Pets month long promotion. By partnering with Subaru the increased promotion and social media presence not only brought in much needed funds, but resulted in a whopping 102 adoptions! One of the biggest adoption months on record this year. We also saw long time shelter dog Sarge find his forever home. Sarge came to our shelter from an over crowded facility in South Carolina where he didn't have much hope of finding a forever home. He was brought to NJ to increase his chances of finding a new best friend. Subaru took Sarge's story to heart and wholeheartedly promoted him during the event through their Facebook and Instagram pages. Then the day came and his forever family found him and brought him home... Victory Subaru did #makeadogsday. We are ever grateful for their generosity in partnering with us on this promotion. Rose T Somerset Regional Animal Shelter Bridgewater, NJ.
