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Whether it’s a story on our involvement with the community, a bulletin concerning service and repairs or a scoop about an award that has come our way, In the Press keeps you abreast of the latest news at American Pride Automotive.
Mar 9, 2011
Free oil changes a way to give back
By Steve Vaughan
YORK — Charlie Marcotte regards Family Service Day, which his American Pride Automotive rolls out every six weeks, as more than just a nice thing for single parents.
“It’s not so much about the free service,” he said. “It’s our witness to other small businesses that you can do something for the community without costing yourself too much money.”
Employees come in on Saturday, normally their day off, to donate their time to single parents. Routine maintenance ranges from oil changes to brake jobs to state inspections.
He said of his staff, “Probably 95 percent are from single-parent families, and they see this as something they can do to help change things.”
Typically more than 35 vehicles run through Family Service Day. The program extends to military spouses whose service members are deployed overseas.
American Pride has been offering the big day for 18 months, alternating between the Yorktown and upper-York garages.
This Saturday a couple of celebrity grease monkeys will pitch in. Rep. Rob Wittman (R-1st) and State Sen. Tommy Norment (R-3rd) have committed to work.
“A single parent can come in and have his or her car serviced by a senator or a congressman,” Marcotte marveled.
The benefit depends on whether the legislators know what they’re doing under the hood. “Oh, we’re going to give them some back-up to make sure it gets done right,” Marcotte said.
He joked that the experience might help them. “You aren’t supposed to be a politician forever. It will be good for them to have a trade to fall back on.”
Why Saturdays?
“Sometimes it’s not about the money,” Marcotte said. “Single parents are so busy. It’s good for them to come somewhere where they can get away from the chaos for a while.”
Response has been good.
“We don’t want it to get so busy that we don’t have time to talk to folks,” he said. “We don’t want to be like McDonald’s, where we move as many people through as fast as we can.”
Want to go? Family Service Day will be held this Saturday, March 12, at American Pride Automotive on Airport Road. Call 595-2755 to schedule an appointment.
Oct 9, 2010
Good to Know: Car Maintenance Help for Single Parents in Need
WYDaily
This feature article on American Pride’s Family Service Day is a great testament of our commitment to our community and how this program benefits those in need.
Apr 18, 2010
Carfax and Other Used Car Buying Tips
Insider’s Passport
http://insiderspassport.com/View-by-tag/Auto+Tips/
This Insider’s Passport article highlights the benefits of conducting business with high quality, reputable dealers when you’re in the used car market. This article is brought to readers by American Pride Automotive.
Mar 12, 2010
“What You’ll Do” – Yorktown Family Service Day
WYDaily
“What You’ll Do” – WYDaily’s weekly column on happenings around the Greater Williamsburg/Yorktown area. In this article, American Pride’s Family Service Day is featured as one of the top things to be aware of!
Jan 27, 2010
Tunnel Vision: Could Technology Save Commuters?
WYDaily
Travel writer, Brendan O’Hallarn follows up here in his weekly column, to a previous article featuring Charlie Marcotte giving advice on “drafting” to better gas mileage. Lesson learned, don’t take everything literallly. Charlie, we love your sense of humor!
Jan 20, 2010
Tunnel Vision: Even a Cheap Guy Can Afford to Take Care of His Car
WYDaily
Reporter Brendan O’Hallarn drives from Southside’s, Norfolk, VA to the Peninsula in Williamsburg Monday through Thursday every week. American Pride’s own Charlie Marcotte discusses in this article how to make sure O’Hallarn’s older vehicle has been through the proper maintenance to keep it making those long drives safely. Charlie even reveals the secret, top tip, for keeping a high mileage car in the road.
