Community Partnership

For many years, Jerry and Greg Spady, along with their families and their employees have proudly embraced a passion for giving back to the community of Hastings, Adams County and folks in South Central Nebraska.

They realize the importance of enriching and improving the lives of their neighbors; men, women and children. They have accomplished this through philanthropy and active, personal involvement in the community.

In 2019, when Nebraska was hit with catastrophic flooding, the Spady’s jumped in to help those displaced families by holding Flood Aid ‘20. The event brought in an abundance of donations of much-needed household supplies which were, in turn sent to several flood-ravaged areas. This is what they do...this is What It’s About.

Spady’s efforts are as diverse as the charities they serve and they provide financial and volunteer support for healthcare, medical and human services, homeless animals, and the elderly. They also have invited the community out to the dealership for a number of free, family oriented holiday events. In all, thousands of dollars of cash and in-kind donations have been raised for local charities and they look towards making an impactful difference for many years to come.

PEOPLE HELPING COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING HOPE & COMPASSION (PHC2)

In 2004, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom created the first Project Homeless Connect to engage and welcome homeless people back into the community. In 2006, The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness launches the National Project Homeless Connect Partner-ship. Today, a total of more than 300 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia have adopted the innovation.

PHC2, Formerly Project Homeless Connect, is a local non-profit that hosts an annual one-day event in Hastings to benefit those individuals and families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or just struggling. Over 50 agencies from Hastings and Adams County get involved in helping fami-lies connect with services vital to creating a stable life style. Upon completing rounds to the various organiza-tions, they are provided with an opportunity for free hair cuts, clothing, hot meal and care packages filled with personal care items.

PHC2 relies on private dona-tions and collection drives to make this event possible. In 2020, Jerry Spady came on board as a sponsor, donating $25 for every vehicle sold during two weeks in May plus $10 worth of personal hygeniene for every test drive. Although the pandemic made it impossible to host the event, the shelves are stocked to hand out to those in need throughout the upcoming year. It is our way of giving back to the community while giving those in need a helping hand.

MARY LANNING FOUNDATION CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT

Mary Lanning Healthcare Foundation hosts an annual charity golf tournament in early June of each year with 40+ sponsors, 144+ players and some great food and prizes. Players of all skill levels are invited to participate in this four-person scramble at Lochland Golf Course with proceeds from the event going towards the purchase of equipment and support of programs at Mary Lanning Healthcare.

Spady’s sponsors a hole on the course with a prize of a one year lease on a new vehicle for one lucky person who may just sink a hole-in-one.

Several employees also take part in the tournament enjoying a day on the course while making a contribution towards the cause.

OREGON TRAIL PRCA RODEO

Now entering it’s 30th year, The annual Oregon Trail PRCA Rodeo brings a taste of the wild west to Hastings, Nebraska. It is held during the month of March at the Adams County Fairgrounds.

In 2020, over 300 contestants competed for $50,000 in prize money. The cowboys and cowgirls, some with national titles, come from far and wide for their chance to get bucked off, beat run times and provide inexpensive entertainment for our community.

There is also Mutton Busting - that is sheep riding for kids 60 pounds or less, rodeo clowns, Rodeo Queen pagent and thrills beyond thrills.

Jerry Spady, along with other area businesses, contributes sponsorship funds to help offset the cost of holding the rodeo. Without these contributions, the Oregon Trail PRCA Rodeo would not be able to continue bringing their exciting show to Adams County.

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), also referred to in America as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM), is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer.

Breast cancer awareness month is a yearly campaign that intend educate people about the importance of early screening, test and more. This campaign starts on October 1 and ends on October 31 every year.

For the past decade, Chevrolet has partnered with the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer helping those women and men battling breast cancer while raising both awareness and funds.

Chevrolet pledges to donate up to $400,000 to the American Cancer Society for every social media post using the #IDriveFor hashtag, Chevy will donate $5 to show support for those who have survived or are currently battling breast cancer. All proceeds from the social media campaign and other doings in the month of October will go directly to the American Cancer Society for research, education for healthcare professionals, screening guidelines and promotion for early detection.

Jerry Spady urges the community every year to come out and take a test drive; have their photo taken and submit that photo for the Chevy donation. Also, for everyone who purchases a vehicle during the month of October, the dealership donates $20 to Mary Lanning Hospital’s Home Away From Home; a Hastings non-profit charitable foundation that comfortably houses out-of-town patients and their families while they undergo treatment.

NATIONAL ANIMAL SHELTER APPRECIATION WEEK

National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week recognizes the shelters providing care that bridges the gap to adoption for millions of abandoned and stray animals. The event takes place each year during the first full week in November. The observance also acknowledges the hard-working people who support the efforts of the shelters and keep pets healthy.

Even though dogs and cats are some of the most beloved pets in the United States, pet homelessness is a huge problem in the country. There are about 70 million stray animals in the United States. Up to 8 million of these animals end up in shelters. There are 3,500 animal shelters in the country. It’s at these animal shelters that pets receive a second chance. According to the ASPCA, over 3 million shelter animals are adopted each year.

Many animal shelters are non-profit. This means they depend on donations and grants to stay open. The primary function of an animal shelter is to find a home for stray animals. They also help to reunite lost pets with their owners. Other services some animal shelters provide include animal health services, behavioral evaluations, training, pet-sitting, grooming, and humane education.

Jerry Spady recognizes the need to help our local animal shelters stay afloat. During National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, the dealership solicits donations of pet food and supplies from the community which is in turn donated to Start Over Rover and the Heartland Pet Connection - both in Hastings, Nebraska.