It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

It's officially October! The leaves are changing, the weather is getting cooler and there is a whole lot more pink floating around because it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Kia is super excited to be supporting this cause. For every car sold this month, Kia will be donating $50! There are so many other things that we are doing for everyone to get involved in. On Saturday, October 12th, from 12-3 p.m. we will be hosting a cookout at the dealership! Lots of local radio stations will be coming out as well to play music and host contests with great prizes that you can win! Lastly, the Making Strides team from the American Cancer Society will be joining us on Saturday! We can't wait for this event and hope to see you all out there!

One week later, on October 20th, the Kia team will be participating in a Breast Cancer Walk! We would love to see some of our Kia family out there walking with us. Here is the link to the page to join our team and donate to the cause!

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/MakingStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCCY13FL?pg=entry&fr_id=55716
We hope you all are as excited for this coming month as we are! The American Cancer Society is an amazing cause and we can't wait to spend the next few weeks spreading awareness and raising money for it!

Back to School Tips

Summer has flown by, and the school year is sneaking up on all of us. Don't be caught off guard on the first day of school, instead, ensure that both you and your children will be prepared for the start of another hectic year by following these simple tips.

School year schedule

Summer nights are for staying up till midnight and waking up at lunch, but the summer has come to an end and the school bell will soon be ringing at 7:30 sharp! So instead of giving your children a rude awakening on August 19th, ease them gradually back into a school year routine. During the last two weeks of summer, re-introduce a school year bedtime. Begin waking late sleepers earlier and earlier, closer to the hour they'll need to rise when school begins.

Create calendar central

The school year has it's own way of drowning you in activities before you know what's happening. School functions. Scout meetings. Ballet lessons. Nothing calms the chaos like Calendar Central: a centralized site for all family calendars and schedules. Color code everyone's activities and don't forget to keep track! Post the calender in a place where everyone will see it (on the fridge, near the phone, etc.) When your hair stylist calls to schedule an appointment or Susie's mom wants to arrange a play date, you'll know at a glance whether you're free that day.

Plan before you shop

August is the second-biggest sales month for clothing retailers. Back to school clothing sales begin as early as July! Don't wait till the week before school to do your shopping or you may find yourself fighting another mom for the last pencil pouch. An informed shopper is a savvy shopper, so prepare before you shop. Take an afternoon and assess each child's clothing and school supply needs so you don't get caught buying unnecessary items.

Also, remember, Florida's tax free weekend is August 2nd-4th!

Gather your papers

School entry may require documentation from immunization records to report cards from the previous school year. Athletes need proof of medical examination. A little preparation can prevent frantic last-minute searches for a birth certificate or registration confirmation.

Call your child's school or check the school district Web site beforehand to find out what paperwork will be required--then find it! You won't be sorry come registration day..

Make a practice run

How will children get to school? The first day of school is no time to find out it takes twice as long as you thought to walk to the nearest bus stop! Before school begins, make a practice run to get children to the school on time (and don't forget to account for early morning traffic)! If they're walking to a bus stop, help them learn the route and note the needed time. Also post your children's bus schedule on your bulletin board or refrigerator to prevent the chaos of a missed bus. 

Improve the daily routine

The school year will have your head spinning before you know it, so don't be caught off guard! Sports practice, music lessons, youth group, doctors appointments, and other various commitments may leave you spending less time in your house than you thought. Get organized and don't get left behind in the school year shuffle!

Cut time in the kitchen: create a menu plan and never again wonder "What's for dinner?"
Streamline dinner preparations. Try a session of freezer cooking to stock the freezer with prepared entrees for stress-free dinner on sports night.
Conquer the paper pile-up. Set up a basic home filing system to track school paperwork, volunteer activities and household planning

Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend Region

Kia Autosport of Tallahassee's Charity of the Month this July is the Early Learning Coalition, and we couldn't be more excited. We believe that every student deserves the opportunity to be successful. We are cramming the van (a brand new Kia Sedona!) with school supplies. Their wishlist includes (but is not limited to!) hand sanitizer, Clorox wipes, crayons, nap mats, tissues, markers, construction paper, scissors, backpacks, and lunch boxes. You don't have to spend a lot of money to change a child's school year (and life!) On August 3rd we will be filling the van with school supplies all day. Don't miss out on this great chance to donate, we will even have free food and raffles going on. 

What is the Early Learning Coalition?

Headquartered in Tallahassee, Florida, the ELC proudly serves Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, and Wakulla Counties. A contracted partner with the State of Florida's Office of Early Learning, the ELC is responsible for the administration of the School Readiness and Voluntary PreKindergarten programs.

Throughout this ELC’s history, the Board and staff have strived to provide a holistic service delivery system that is responsive to needs of families and communities while maintaining effective and efficient business practices supporting the following primary goals:

1. Children are ready for success when they enter school; and

2. Families have access to the quality child care services and assistance they need.

The ELC staff work everyday at effectively connecting approximately 7,000 children and their families to the early learning program that best meets the needs of the child and family. 

What does the Early Learning Coalition Do? 

Family Services:

• Child care information and resources
• Customized child care referrals
• School Readiness tuition assistance
• Voluntary PreKindergarten programs for 4 year olds
• Referrals and assistance in accessing additional community resources

Child Services:

• Hearing, vision and developmental screening
• Early literacy programs such as the My First Books "giving library"
• Early intervention services for children with identified areas of concern

Teacher Services:

• Professional development through on-line and classroom training
• On-site coaching and technical assistance
• Resource development
• Linkages to community resources and volunteers

Don't miss out on the opportunity to donate to this wonderful charity that's doing great things for the students and families in our community. Will we see you on August 3rd? 

25 Fun Things to do for FREE

The long days of summer may have you bored but there are many fun things to do without your friends, significant other, and family around town for little or not cost! Fun doesn't have to be expensive, gather your loved ones this weekend and make some memories together. 

1. Go to the Park
You can take your family or go with a friend. Swing on the swings like when you were a kid.

2. Pack a Picnic Lunch
Throw a picnic lunch together and find a shady spot to enjoy the day with your loved ones.

3. Play Board Games
Bring out the old favorites like Monopoly or Scrabble!

4. Do a Road Rally With Friends

Get some friends together and go on a mobile scavenger hunt. The first one back with all things on the list wins! Losers have to buy dessert.

5. Have a Bonfire or Campfire in Your Backyard

Make s'mores and play campfire games.

6. Scan Your Old Photographs

Take the weekend to go through your old photos and scan them into a digital file. You can even create digital scrapbooks!

7. Pretend You're a Tourist in Your Community

Most folks rarely visit their own city's tourist attractions. Take a weekend be a tourist in your own town.

8. Organize a Neighborhood Cleanup

Get friends and neighbors together to go and clean up a city block. 

9. Pick Strawberries or Other Fruit

Find a "U-Pick" spot to gather some fresh strawberries, blueberries, or other fruit. 

10. Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen or Homeless Shelter

Organizations like these are always looking for volunteers. This will be one of the most rewarding things you could do this weekend!

11. Invite Your Neighbors Over

With today's busy pace, it seems harder to get to know our neighbors. Invite them over for dinner or dessert and make an effort to know more about them.

12. Go Fishing

Grab the poles, find a pond, and cast those lines!

13. Go to the Beach

Hit the sandy shores for a little rest and relaxation. Just don't forget to protect your skin!

14. Go to the Library

There are many benefits your local library has to offer besides just books. You can rent movies, page through magazines, or surf the net.

15. Host a Classic Movie Marathon

Invite friends over for a movie marathon featuring all the classics you remember from when you were growing up. 

16. Rearrange the Furniture in Your House

Rearranging furniture doesn't cost anything and adds a new flair to your place.

17. Write Out Your Bucket List and Pick One to Do

Brainstorm ideas for all the things you want to do in life, and pick one to do this weekend.

18. Clean Out Your Closet and Donate to a Thrift Store

Go through your closets and declutter. Find items you can donate to your local Goodwill or another thrift shop.

19. Go on a Bike Ride

Bike to a location you've never been to before. Or, bring your bike to a town or city you're unfamiliar with and create your own bike tour. Just be safe!

20. Go Bowling

Get some friends together and have a blast at the lanes!

21. Visit Garage Sales and Look for Deals

Take a friend or two, grab breakfast, and then hit the local garage sales to scan for deals.

22. Tour the Local Fire or Police Station and Thank Them for Their Service

A simple gesture can really mean a lot to the men and women who serve us on a daily basis!

23. Visit a Local Nursing Home and Engage With the Residents

Many elderly folks have great tales to tell. Listen to their stories and see what you can learn from them.

24. Walk Through the Craft Store and Start an Art Project

Take your spouse or loved one to a craft store and each purchase a few crafts for a creative project. 

25. Host a "Minute to Win It" Party

Invite a few friends over and challenge each other with some creative games based on the hit TV show.

Summer Storms and Staying Safe

The rain doesn't ever seem to go away during the summer and although it's usually only a light drizzle, big summer storms can cause floods, damage, power outages, and more. You can't avoid the rain, but you can take the necessary precautions to make sure you and your family stay safe! Don't let the storms ruin your summer.

Hazards present during and after a summer storm:

• Lightning associated with thunderstorms generates a variety of fire hazards. The power of lightning's electrical charge and intense heat can electrocute on contact, splitting trees and causing fires.
• Pools of water and even appliances can be electrically charged so never swim during a storm, and use all household appliances with caution. 
• Appliances that have been exposed to water can short and become a fire hazard.
• Assume all wires on the ground are electrically charged. This includes cable TV feeds.
• Be aware of and avoid downed utility lines. Report downed or damaged power lines to the utility company or emergency services.
• Have a licensed electrician check your home for damage.
• Before storms hit, unplug electrical appliances such as TVs, VCRs, microwave ovens, stereos and computers. Disconnect cables to your TV antenna, satellite dish or cable service. 
• If anyone in your household suffers an electric shock, call 911 or your local emergency medical service immediately. Even minor shocks can cause life-threatening conditions hours later, so it is important to seek medical attention. 
• If someone in your home depends on life-support equipment, move the individual to a safe facility to avoid the risk of an extended power outage. You also should have a back-up plan, such as a portable oxygen supply. Health care equipment suppliers can suggest preparations for such emergencies. 
• During the storm, stay away from windows, where flying debris can cause injury. Do not use the phone or run water during lightning storms. Do not stand in water. 
• Always use a flashlight - not a candle - for emergency lighting.

If a power outage is likely to last longer than a few hours, then those customers affected by the outage should follow these additional tips:

• Turn off your range, toaster oven, iron or other item that could cause a fire if you aren't home when the power comes back on. 
• Turn off your air conditioner and water heater to prevent system overloads when power is restored. These two appliances are big users of electricity, especially after they have been off for a while. Turn them on about 30 minutes after power has been restored.

Driving in the rain:

• Slow down! It takes longer to stop or adjust in wet weather.
• Stay toward the middle lanes - water tends to pool in the outside lanes.
• Maintain proper following distance.
• Drive in the tracks of a car ahead of you.
• Don't follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. 
• Be more alert when driving in wet or slippery conditions. Watch out for brake lights in front of you.
• Avoid using your brakes; if possible, take your foot off the accelerator to slow down.
• Turn your headlights on even in a light rain, or in gloomy, foggy or overcast conditions. Not only do they help you see the road, but they'll help other drivers see you. 
• Avoid off-road driving: it's hard to judge the actual depth of puddles and you can easily become stuck, even in an SUV.
• Never drive beyond the limits of visibility. At night rainy roads become especially treacherous. In rainy conditions pedestrians, livestock, and wildlife are extremely hard to spot and even harder to avoid.
• Never drive through moving water if you can't see the ground through it; your car could be swept off the road.
• When driving through a puddle of uncertain depth, go slow. If it's deeper than the bottom of your doors, turn around and find another route. Deep water can cause serious damage to a modern car's electrical system.
• If possible, stay off the road during heavy thunderstorms. Large flashes of lightning can temporarily blind and disorient drivers, and the accompanying high winds and heavy rain can create deadly driving conditions.

Fun things to do during a storm:

•  Learn to crochet or knit or cross-stitch.
• Paint something.
• Draw something.
•  Sculpt something.
•  Build a model ship, airplane, or rocket.
• Create and organize new photo albums.
• Create a scrapbook.
•  Hang some photographs on your walls.
• Take up sewing or craft a new sewing project.
•  Find some old white clothes and give them a tie-dye face lift.
• Write a song.
• Play an instrument
• Begin writing a novel
• Play a board game
• Read a book or magazine
• Put together a jigsaw puzzle
•  Play cards
• Do a crossword puzzle
• Play 20 Questions
• Play I Spy

Kia Cadenza: The New Face of Luxury

Our new model, the Kia Cadenza, has been a long time coming, and we couldn't be more excited. As Kia's first luxury vehicle, it hit the market with a bang. It's affordable prices, beautiful interior and exterior, and competitiveness within the luxury car market have all caught the eye of buyers and critics alike.

The 2014 Cadenza includes: 

• 3.3L Vx6 engine 
• Automatic transmission 
• Up to 19 cty/28 hwy mpg 
• Navigation System 
• Bluetooth 
• iPod input 
• Satellite radio 
• Side/Curtain Airbags 
• Stability Control 
• Traction Control 

Edmunds.com raves about the Cadenza saying, "The front-wheel-drive Cadenza is longer and wider than the Optima and essentially shares its platform with cousin Hyundai's Azera. As such, it packs a 3.3-liter V6 with 293 horsepower along with a six-speed automatic. Kia tweaked the steering and suspension to give it a more sporting personality than its relative. But this is still more a luxury cruiser than a sport sedan. And as we'd now expect from Kia, the Cadenza offers a wealth of standard and optional high-end features along with sharp styling that manages to make it stand apart from the crowd without looking strange."

If you want more features, Kia offers Premium and Technology packages:

• The Premium Package adds a panoramic sunroof, adaptive high-intensity-discharge headlights, a 7-inch screen in the instrument cluster, premium leather upholstery, heated front and rear outboard seats, a ventilated driver's seat with an extendable cushion and memory feature, a power-adjustable heated steering wheel, and a power rear sunshade. 

• With the Technology Package, the Cadenza comes with 19-inch wheels instead of 18-inch rims, an electric parking brake, adaptive cruise control with full-stop capability, a "water-repellant" windshield, a blind spot warning system, and a lane departure warning system.

We're very impressed with the Kia Cadenza, and so many others are too! It is quickly bringing a competitive, more affordable edge to the luxury car market. Are you impressed? Come in to test drive one TODAY (you will even automatically be entered to win a 2013 Kia Soul). And remember, next week for the 4th of July, all invoices are in the window! No haggle, no hassle, just rock bottom prices on Optimas, Rios, Souls, Sorentos, Sportages, and even Cadenzas!

Arrive Alive

I bet you never would have guessed that...

• One in three people will be involved in an alcohol-related crash in their lifetime
• Almost every 90 seconds, a person is injured in a drunk driving crash
• In 2011, 9,878 people died in drunk driving crashes - one every 53 minutes
• An average drunk driver has driven drunk 80 times before first arrest
• Drunk driving costs each adult in this country almost $500 per year
• Drunk driving costs the United States $132 billion a year
• 50 to 75 percent of convicted drunk drivers continue to drive on a suspended license
• In 2010, 211 children were killed in drunk driving crashes. Out of those 211 deaths, 131 (62 percent) were riding with the drunk driver
• In fatal crashes in 2010, the highest percentage of drunk drivers was for drivers ages 21 to 24 (34 percent), followed by ages 25 to 34 (30 percent) and 35 to 44 (25 percent)
• About one-third of all drivers arrested or convicted of driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence of alcohol are repeat offenders
• The average person metabolizes alcohol at the rate of about one drink per hour. Only time will sober a person up. Drinking strong coffee, exercising or taking a cold shower will not help
• Buzzed driving IS drunk driving
• 90% of all drunk driving happens after drinking with family, friends, and coworkers. There is almost always somebody around who could be part of the solution. Don't let drunk driving happen right in front of you
• Drunk driving is responsible for approximately 27 deaths in the United States every day. That's 9855 preventable deaths every year

Prevent it...

• Take the SoberDriver's Pledge. Make a personal commitment to avoid driving drunk as well as to prevent drunk driving by helping others
• Call a cab
• Designate a driver
• Ask someone else to take you home
• Hide keys. Don't be afraid to take someone's car keys. If the person gets angry, it's probably proof you're doing the right thing

Keep Yourself (and Others!) Safe...

Law enforcement officials say there are several signs associated with drunk driving:

• Making wide turns
• Weaving, swerving, drifting, or straddling the center line
• Almost striking an object or vehicle
• Driving on the wrong side of the road
• Driving at a very slow speed
• Stopping without cause
• Braking erratically
• Responding slowly to traffic signals
• Turning abruptly or illegally
• Driving after dark with headlights off

Keeping these things in mind can help you avoid a dangerous situation. If you spot what you think is an impaired driver, keep a safe distance and call 9-1-1. Do not attempt to stop the vehicle yourself.

We love our Kia family and we want you to arrive alive every time! 

Texting and Driving: LOL to TTYL

Did You Know? 

• In 2011, over 23% of auto collisions involved cell phones? That's over 1.3 million crashes.
• Text messaging makes a crash up to 23x more likely.
• 13% of drivers 18-20 involved in car wrecks admitted to talking or texting on their mobile device at the time of the crash.
• Teens who text while driving spend approximately 10% of their driving time outside the lane.
• Forty percent of all American teens say they have been in a car when the driver used a cell phone in a way that put people in danger.
• Sending or receiving a text takes a driver's eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent-at 55 mph-of driving the length of an entire football field, blind.

What Can You Do? 

• Give Clear Instructions - Give teen drivers simple, clear instructions not to use their wireless devices while driving. 
• Lead by Example - Children learn from their parent’s behavior. Be an example for your children and if you need to text or talk on the phone, pull over to a safe place.
• Become Informed and Be Active - Set rules for yourself and your household regarding distracted driving. Tell family, friends and organizations to which you belong about the importance of driving without distractions.
• Take the Pledge - Encourage your family, friends, co-workers, and community to take the pledge against texting and driving. 

5 Tips to Keep Your Car Driving Smoothly This Summer

1. Check Your Tires
Before hitting the road this summer, you can take several simple precautions to keep your family safe and save money at the pump. Did you know that under-inflated, over-inflated, worn down or misaligned tire can be extremely dangerous, particularly in hot summer weather? Use the penny trick to see if you still have enough tread on your tires. Stick a penny in the tread, and if Lincoln's head disappears, you're good. If your tires are not up to par, come in to see us and we will get you rolling in a new, SAFE set of tires.

2. Change Oil and Oil Filter
Is the summer heat making you thirsty? Your car could use a drink, too. Oil keeps hardworking engine parts running clean, smooth and cool. Most owners’ manuals suggest that you change your oil and oil filter every 7,500 miles (12,070 kilometers). Most of us do a lot of heavy driving during the summer when an engine is more likely to overheat so check your oil before you head out on that road trip with the family. To check your oil, let your car run for a few minutes, then park it on a level surface and shut off the engine. Open the hood and locate the oil dipstick. You're looking for two things: the level of oil and how the oil looks. If you're low on oil, you can either add another quart or change the oil completely. The oil should look brownish yellow and clean on the stick. If the oil is a dark color or there's a lot of dirt and grime in it, then you definitely need an oil change and oil filter replacement.

3. Check Hoses and Belts
The hoses connected to the radiator help pump coolant to and from the engine block, and the belts run the fan that helps cool the system further. If the hoses crack or the belts snap, the radiator will quickly overheat, leaving you stranded. Check hoses for cracks, leaks and loose connections. Hoses should be firm, never soft and malleable. The most vulnerable parts of the hose are those nearest to clamps where the hose connects to the radiator or the engine. Belts can also be visually checked for cracks and damage. Take note if the belt looks excessively slick or smooth. Remove the belt to make sure that the material hasn't started separating into different layers.

4. Check Your Brakes
Your brakes are the single most important safety feature on your car. Don't put yourself or your family at risk this summer by riding around on worn down or faulty brakes.Brakes need to be replaced when the lining on your brake pad or brake shoe is worn down. You can have your brake linings checked at any normal service shop or at a brake specialist.

 

Here are some signs that your brakes need to be checked:

• Your brake pedal becomes very soft and mushy
• Your brake pedal is very hard and resistant
• Your brake pedal rests too low or too high
• Indication or warning lights on the dashboard
• Loud and constant scraping and grinding sounds coming from the brakes

5. Check The Cooler and Radiator
The summertime is tough on cooling systems. Sitting in traffic on a hot day is one of the quickest ways to overheat your car. This is because there's no air flowing across the engine to help keep it cool. Check under the hood and make sure that your coolant levels are fine. The general rule is to flush your radiator and add new coolant at least every two years. Flushing the radiator is done with a special chemical that cleans debris and build-up on the inside of the radiator. For summer driving, coolant should be added as a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water. You can even buy premixed coolant so you don't have to bother with the measurements. If you see a small puddle of coolant under your car when it's been parked for a while, then you have a coolant leak. Take it to the service station as soon as you can to get your system checked out.

Oasis Center for Girls's Car Wash

We here at Kia Autosport could not be more excited to host Oasis Center for Girls's car wash on June 21st from 11am-1pm. The car wash is part of Oasis's "Girls Can Do Anything" camp .The suggested donation is $5 per car, but any amount is welcome! All proceeds will go to charity.

 The Oasis Center for Girls is a nonprofit organization in Tallahassee whose mission is to "improve the lives of women and girls through celebration and support". They focus on personal, professional, and economic concerns facing women, girls and their families. In 2007 Oasis was created by women who believed in the vision of a general resource center for women and girls.

Their Girls Can Do Anything Summer Camp is designed to enhance leadership development, decision-making skills, self-esteem, and embrace how fun it is to be a girl! Come out on Friday, June 21st to support the amazing impact that Oasis is having on young girls' lives in our community.

The car wash is a great chance to not only come away with a squeaky clean car but also a full belly! June 21st is also Kia's monthly Employee Appreciation day, and we will be having a summer cookout with free food for everyone! You don't want to miss this fun day so come out and see us for free food, a car wash for charity, and a look at our brand new Kia Cadenza!

Wounded Warrior Project

Throughout May, we are honoring our past and current military personnel by donating a portion of all our sales this month to the Wounded Warrior Project. We have partnered with WWP to raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members and to help injured service members aid and assist each other.

The Wounded Warrior Project aims to "To foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation's history" by providing emotional and physical recovery, economic relief, and engagement with other wounded warriors. WWP serves veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound, co-incident to their military service on or after September 11, 2001 and their families.

"I always enjoy meeting other warriors – the connection to my brothers and sisters is like no other - it’s therapeutic and continuously helps me to adapt to civilian life and everyday struggles."
 -WWP event participant

 

The Wounded Warrior Project offers many programs to injured veterans including a Combat Stress Recovery Program, WWP Packs, Project Oddysey, Solider Rides, and a Warriors to Work program, to name a few. WWP invites you to honor and empower Wounded Warriors by becoming a proud supporter.

 

Other oppurtunities to get involved with WWP include:

Learn More About Tough Mudder: Tough Mudder, a 10- to 12-mile obstacle course challenge, proudly supports WWP. To date, Tough Mudder participants have raised more than $5 million in support of the warriors we serve. A team of Wounded Warriors carrying the WWP flag is hosted at each event, so look out for them while climbing the Berlin Walls or running the Mud Mile!

Become A WWP 8K Run Sponsor: You can join us in our efforts to honor and empower Wounded Warriors by taking advantage of sponsorship opportunities for the Wounded Warrior Project 8K Run. There are three runs coming up this fall in Jacksonville, Florida, San Antonio, Texas, and Franklin, Tennessee. Your support as a sponsor of the 2013 Wounded Warrior Project 8K Run will go a long way in helping warriors successfully transition to civilian life.

Share The Mission Online: Become an online advocate for Wounded Warriors by sharing a Facebook post, tweeting a message, or adding an image to your blog or website to show your support.

Thank A Wounded Warrior: Have you ever wanted to send a note to a Wounded Warrior to thank them for their service and sacrifice? You can now send warriors thank you cards through Facebook. Visit our Facebook page, select the card you would like to send and type your message - it’s as easy as that! The WWP Communications team will print the cards and provide them to program staff for distribution at hospitals and during WWP events.

Companies Looking To Give Back: If you’re representing a company looking to give back to WWP, we have a number of opportunities available for you. From payroll deduction to attending one of our annual gala events, we invite you to explore all your options.

Stay Up To Date: Connect with WWP on social media through Facebook and Twitter.

Kia Autosport is so greatful to all of our veterans for serving our country, and the Wounded Warrior Project for supporting their recovery. During the month of May, we are making a donation to the WWP for every car sold. Stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter, we will be presenting donations and notes to the WWP in Tallahassee later this week.




Last Hope Rescue Dog Wash

Through the month of April we will be celebrating our furry friends! We have partnered with Last Hope Rescue and other local animal rescues to spread the word about the abundance of animals that need loving homes. April 20^th, we will be having a Dog Wash at Kia Autosport. We invite everyone to bring their friendly dogs here for a day of celebrating man’s best friend!

Last Hope Rescue is a non-profit organization determined to place abused and abandoned pets into loving homes.  Areas surrounding Tallahassee are high-kill counties; this means that once the animal shelter hits their maximum they are forced to start euthanizing animals. Last Hope seeks to save these precious, innocent animals.

Last Hope Rescue  is near and dear to Melanie’s heart because she adopted her dog Conner from them! Conner often comes to the office and is loved by everyone who works here.

Ways to get involved:

1.       Donate: old towels and sheets, old dog bowls, your old leashes, collars, and used crates.

 

2.       Monetary donations towards vet bills. http://www.lasthoperescue.org/donate/

 

        3.       Volunteer- http://www.lasthoperescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/LHR-Volunteer- Form.pdf

4.       Foster-  https://www.facebook.com/?sk=h_chr#!/LastHopeRescueFL?fref=ts

5.       Adopt

6.        100 more ways to help- http://www.lasthoperescue.org/volunteer/100-ways-to-help/

Benefits of owning a dog:

1.       Lessen the chance of your kid getting the common cold.

2.       Research shows that dog owners have lower blood pressure and a deduced risk for cardiovascular problems.

3.       Medical college of Virginia found that owning a dog significantly reduces anxiety  

4.       Dogs help with loneliness, particularly with the elderly.

5.       Adults with dogs walk almost twice as much than adults without dogs. Children in homes with dogs are more likely to exercise as well/

-According to ABC News

Fostering a Dog:

Why are Foster Homes Needed?

·         To prevent the shelter from becoming full

·         An animal is recovering from surgery and needs a loving home to look after them.

·         The animal is showing signs of shelter stress.

Last Hope Rescue will provide the foster family with food, toys, a crate, help with transportation, and all the support they could ever need. For more information fill out the volunteer form and send an email to LastHopeRescueFL@gmail.com.

Volunteer form: http://www.lasthoperescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/LHR-Volunteer-Form.pdf

The Pyramid Mission

Pyramids Mission
We exist to meet the needs of people
who are developmentally disabled.
We care about the people we serve, our employees, and each other.
We provide uncompromised service.
We believe in what we do.
We make a difference.

Pyramid is an organization located in Tallahassee that is dedicated to enriching the lives of those with severe disabilities. They use art to build excitement and meaning into their disabled student's lives. According to the International Art Therapy Organization, “art therapy encourages self-expression, self-discovery and emotional growth.”  That is exactly what Pyramid is doing; their program fosters an opportunity for students to feel a part of the Tallahassee community.

The  activities in the art program range depending on the students ability and preference. The program offers a variety of involvement from painting to the performing arts. Pyramids' musical group The Pyramid Players perform in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. The beautiful artwork created by the students can be seen across the state of Florida and even across state lines.  One is able to purchase paintings, jewelry, and pottery on their website: http://www.pyramidinc.org/gallery.htm. At Kia Autosport we have more than five beautiful paintings displayed in our office and waiting room.

Beyond the arts program Pyramid provides therapeutic repositioning, physical/nutritional and behavioral assistance, peer counseling, sensory integration, social and life-management skills training and a variety of educational classes designed to increase their independence.

Pyramid supplies an abundance of programs to improve the lives of severely disabled community members. Pyramid in a non-profit and has been supported by Medicaid before but it’s not always enough. A primary source of their support is through fundraising, partnerships with the university, and private businesses. Cue Kia Autosport and the Tallahassee community.

Together we can support a group that supports our community.

Throughout the month of March we will donate $50 for every car sold and we will be collecting donations at the dealership. As well March 30^th we will have a Pyramid Party with the students. It will be an eye opening- and awe inspiring experience that we invite you to join. 

“Pyramid’s programs are shaped by an innate belief in the abilities of the people we serve, by a commitment to individualized curricula and a holistic view of our students’ lives.”

Second Harvest of the Big Bend

Most everyone has probably heard of Second Harvest at some point or another. How could you not? They have their giving hands in almost every project relating to food around the country. Just in the Big Bend alone 44,000 people a month are fed because of the efforts of Second Harvest.  Most residents are aware that Second Harvest is a food bank and helps feed the community. However, many do not know the efforts behind the scene and all of the side programs Second Harvest of the Big Bend offers.

In this blog I am going to take go straight to the point with facts and figures of Second Harvest of the Big Bend. If you would like to read more about the nitty and gritty please continue to their website. http://www.fightinghunger.org/

Food Bank Operations-

The food bank operation is the heart and soul of Second Harvest.  They collect, store, and distribute 5.5 million pounds of food annually! First, the food is donated or acquired by Second Harvest. Then the food is distributed to more than 135 partner agencies; these agencies give the food to those directly in need of it.

Brown Bags for Seniors-

This generous program provides grocery items for more than 430 elderly in our community!  The seniors that receive this service are either on a fixed-income or impoverished.

Child Nutrition Program-

1 in 4 children in the Big Bend struggle with hunger daily.  Second Harvest strives to keep working as hard as they can until the day that no child in the Big Bend goes a day without food hungry.  

Backpack Program-

This service provides 350 bags of food weekly to children in school so they will have food for the weekend. This allows the children to worry less about where their next meal will come from and more about staying in school and doing their homework.

 Summer Food Program-

The summer can be a hard time for a child if you don’t know where your next meal is coming from. That is why Second Harvest of the Big Bend supplies 6,216 meals and snack to children in the summer months.

Second Harvest of the Big Bend supplies incredible amounts of food to the counties it services. However, they can’t do it alone! As of right now only 7% of the food comes from food drives. Kia Autosport is determined to drive that number up! This is our community and it’s our turn to give back too.  

 

Throughout the month of February we will be collecting food and monetary donations to be gifted to Second Harvest of the Big Bend! Look out for our Facebook page because we will have weekly specials and promotions benefiting Second Harvest and you! On February 23^rd we will have a BBQ here as one last push to collect the most food possible. At the BBQ we will have contests, prizes, and a big give away!

We can’t do it alone though! Clean out your cabinets and if it’s been there for over a year and you still haven’t eaten it, you probably won’t eat it.  So give it to those in need!  But check the expiration date first J