Mercedes Benz Newmarket, along with brand ambassador and Toronto Maple Leafs star Morgan Rielly, has donated $50,000 to Southlake's Stronach Regional Cancer Centre.
The money was raised through two fundraising events in July. All month $200 from the sale of every vehicle at the dealership went toward the cause and at the end of the month it held the annual Mercedes Trophy golf tournament with a silent auction in support of Southlake.
As part of the auction, Morgan Rielly offered his tickets to the Leafs game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Nov. 11. After the game the people who won the tickets will get the opportunity to meet with Rielly in the dressing room in what Mercedes Benz Newmarket's managing partner Brian Fulton said is a "once in a lifetime experience."
He said the partnership with Rielly was “a big part of the success that we had in raising $50,000 at our annual Mercedes Trophy event.”
Rielly said he "knew pretty quickly” after meeting Fulton and his team that the dealship is dedicated to supporting the community and giving back, which is why they became friends and partners.
After speaking with folks from Southlake at the golf tournament, he said he really understood how important it was to support Southlake's cancer centre.
“It’s clear as day why it's important and the impact it can have,” Rielly said. “It’s been a lot of fun and I look forward to doing it again.”
The $50,000 raised will go toward Southlake's Here Is Where Cancer Meets Its Match campaign. It aims to improve and expand services and technology to ensure the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre, which was built in 2010, can remain state of the art.
One in two Canadians will receive a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, said Lesley Ring, vice-president or major gifts and campaigns.
"Sadly, the residents of York Region and South Simcoe, they’re not immune. So with the support of Mercedes Benz, Morgan and the generous customers, this ensures that we’re going to be able to provide leading-edge cancer care close to home, which is a real game changer for our community,” she said.
Jennifer Ritter, president and CEO of Southlake Foundation, said this kind of partnership is vital.
"This is quintessential to Southlake being able to do what we do. Health care is a partnership - hospital, government and community- and Mercedes Benz Newmarket is a great partner," she said.
