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Going the extra mile: Penticton car dealership to give away vehicle this Christmas

Huber Bannister Chevrolet is committed to helping a family in need this holiday season
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Huber Bannister Chevrolet general manager Julian Smallbone, left, and sales manager Will Seguin are committed to helping a family in need this holiday season. (Logan Lockhart, Western News)

Choosing between buying gifts or having a nice dinner is a reality for many each holiday season.

But according to Julian Smallbone, no family should have to make that choice.

Smallbone, the general manager at Huber Bannister Chevrolet in Penticton, and the rest of his dealership is committed to giving away a 2013 Dodge Caravan and a whole Christmas dinner to a family in need this holiday season.

“If we can help one family, that would make a big difference,” Smallbone stated.

Along with gifting the vehicle, the dealership is giving away six months of insurance and gas cards to the selected family.

“What we try to do is make sure that when someone’s got the vehicle, the first six months of everything is looked after,” he said. “So this vehicle, the Grand Caravan, it’s been fully inspected at the shop so they know that they’re not getting a vehicle that’s going to cause problems for them. Along with the insurance and gas, they get the first oil change as well.”

The dealership is accepting family nominations until Dec. 21, with the announcement of the winner to happen on Christmas Eve at the dealership as a surprise reveal.

“The people that nominate the family (that are selected) will talk to them and say they have a surprise for them,” Smallbone said. “Then, they’ll bring them down to the dealership and we will present the car to the family.”

In Smallbone’s opinion, not having a car in Penticton when trying to support a family is a difficult task. That’s why he believes transportation should be a priority when giving this holiday season.

“A lot of the time, people don’t have a vehicle, so they can’t get around or they can’t afford a new one because it’s breaking down,” he explained. “If you have a family and have kids, I find that Penticton is a tough place to get around.

“You have to work and drop kids off, you have to have a car.”

Huber Bannister Chevrolet is hoping that other businesses in Penticton will join in on the giving so that the holiday-themed giveaway will only get bigger and bigger as the years go on.

“If we can get other companies involved with wanting to sponsor and stuff, then I’m hoping we can give away two cars next year and make it a big thing over time when we can help multiple families.”

As of Dec. 14, the dealership had already received 20 nominations. And as the days go on and Christmas inches closer, Smallbone is anticipating over 50 nominations will be sent in.

People interested in nominating families in need are asked to email reachus@huberbannister.com.

“Send over the family that you are recommending and at the same time, explain why you feel this family would benefit from getting the vehicle and Christmas dinner,” Smallbone concluded.

READ MORE: Game Cave in Penticton continues its holiday give back in 2021


target="_blank>@lgllockha"rt
logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com

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