Hats Off to Automakers Making a Difference in The Community
Companies big and small all over Canada are doing many great things to help their communities. Sadly, their efforts often fly under the radar as the media prefer to focus on other stories and issues.
Automakers and their dealers are no exception, and we thought we’d give some of them the proper shout-out they deserve.
Hyundai
Earlier this year, Hyundai Canada and its 226 dealers nationwide announced the creation of Hyundai Hope On Wheels in Canada, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting paediatric cancer patients and survivors through research funding and raising awareness to help end childhood cancer.
In March, they donated $1 million to the CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation in Montreal, supporting a leader in paediatric oncology in North America. Children and families affected by cancer—along with donors, researchers and supporters—were invited to leave their painted handprints on a Hyundai vehicle, creating a symbol of hope in the shared fight against childhood cancer and search for a cure.
A similar donation was made to SickKids Foundation in Toronto, which was recognized as one of the world’s top children’s hospitals in a Newsweek study. The goal for 2025 is to donate more than $4 million.
Mazda
Mazda Canada is dedicated to celebrating community members who choose to be legendary. So far, the automaker and its dealers have collectively distributed over $3 million in donations since the launch of the Mazda Legends Campaign in 2021.
What began as a post-pandemic program to support and reopen small businesses across the country has grown into a dynamic, ongoing movement dedicated to giving back to causes that strengthen resilience within communities and recognizing everyday heroes. Mazda has selected Legends that contribute to a wide range of causes including youth wellbeing and development, food insecurity, and supporting vulnerable populations.
Chevrolet
The Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup is challenging Canadian minor hockey teams to make a difference in their communities through acts of kindness. For 2025, Chevrolet raised the bar with expanded rewards: instead of one winner, three top prizes are awarded. The grand prize remains $100,000, which will be donated to a registered charity of the winning team’s choice. The second- and third-place teams are awarded donations of $20,000 and $10,000, respectively.
Last year’s champions, the Huntsville Sting U13-Black team in Ontario, completed an impressive 1,358 Good Deeds and donated their $100,000 grand prize to Food4Kids Muskoka. Including this year’s donations, the Good Deeds Cup will have contributed over $1 million to charities across Canada.
Mitsubishi
Last fall, Mitsubishi and its dealers across the country responded in a big way to the need to help those experiencing food insecurity through the End Hunger campaign. We’re talking about a donation of $300,000 and more than 8,700 kg (19,000 lbs) of food to Food Banks Canada and local food banks from coast to coast. That’s the equivalent of more than 600,000 meals donated by the Japanese automaker, its staff, dealer network and customers.
Over the past four years combined, Mitsubishi has donated more than $800,000 to Food Banks Canada and local food banks.
Toyota
Following $100,000 donations to Breakfast Club of Canada and StopGap Foundation, Toyota Canada in January announced a $300,000 donation to Food Banks Canada, kickstarting the company’s quest to provide a million meals to Canadians living with food insecurity. This is achieved through corporate donations, employee efforts and dealer network programs like Toyota Cars For Good.
In early 2020, Toyota Canada and its dealers contributed over $1 million to local food banks nationwide. They’ve continued to provide support since that time.
To all these people and others, we say ‘bravo!’
