For the past seven years Blevins Bros. have sponsored monthlong Drive Out Cancer events to raise money for the local fight against cancer.
Drive Out Cancer is an event that results in a $10 donation to the Jules of Life Foundation for every vehicle taken for a test drive during the month of January.
Marc Blevins
Since Blevins partnered with Jules of Life six years ago, more than $1,500 has been donated to the organization.
“Unfortunately, almost everybody knows or is related to somebody that currently has or has had cancer," said Marc Blevins, the sales manager at Blevins Bros. "Our employees and customers can relate to this, and that’s why this is a really good event."
Marc came up with the idea for the Drive Out Cancer fundraiser almost a decade ago.
“Just as much as cancer may have a negative impact on so many lives, donating money to help fight cancer and help the families that are going through this can have that much of a positive impact," Marc added.
The proceeds from the first year of the fundraiser were donated to Coaches vs. Cancer, and then Blevins partnered with Jules of Life the year after. The business has donated proceeds from the annual event to Jules of Life ever since.
"I think that having local faces helps. You are doing all these test drives and working hard to get donations, but the question becomes where is the money going and who is it helping," Marc said. "You know where the money is going and as a business we are helping people in the community we operate in, so it’s a really good partnership for us.”
There is no commitment to purchase a vehicle for those who go on a test drive during the month-long event, but Marc believes the experience positively impacts customers.
Marc Blevins (right) with Jules of Life Patient Advocate Mary Lou Robinson
“We really try to focus on getting as many people to test drive vehicles as possible because it’s the right thing to do for our Drive Out Cancer events,” Marc said. “It’s exciting to buy a new car and that can be impactful for our customers. Hopefully they will remember the time they test drove a car at Blevins.”
All the local Blevins dealerships have participated in the event, including Blevins Bros. in Ogdensburg, Team Blevins in Gouverneur, Blevins Ford in Gouverneur, Blevins Motors in Potsdam, and Blevins Seaway in Massena.
“It’s nice to have all the dealerships involved, and it makes the event much more powerful,” Marc said. “Overall it’s a good program for us because it benefits the dealership and the community.”
For more information about Blevins car dealerships and Drive Out Cancer, contact Marc at marc.blevins@teamblevins.com or visit the company's website.
