The CarMax Foundation Provides Grants to Nonprofits on Behalf of Associate Award Winners

RICHMOND, VA--Dec 3 2013: CarMax, Inc. , the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, announced today the 10 winners of the The CarMax Foundation's fourth annual CarMax Cares Community Service Award.

Associates across the country were nominated for the CarMax Cares Community Service Award for their personal volunteer efforts and leadership in community giving. Winners of the award were honored at the company’s largest associate recognition event of the year. Each winner selected a nonprofit organization to receive a $5,000 grant on their behalf from The CarMax Foundation.

The CarMax Cares Community Service Award winners and the nonprofits selected are as follows:

Mark Boswer, sales manager-in-training, Laurel, Md. – Mark has been a vital part of more than 10 volunteer events in the last year benefiting organizations like the YMCA, Wounded Warrior Project and Camp Farthest Out. He also was a team leader for a playground build at KIPP Baltimore, which is part of The CarMax Foundation’s partnership with KaBOOM!. Mark chose Capital Partners for Education, which works with low-income youth in the Washington, DC area to get to and through college, to receive the $5,000 grant. Sarah Brown, buyer, Cincinnati, Ohio – Sarah led her store team in numerous community activities and donation drives over the past year working with charities like Ronald McDonald House, Susan G. Komen, People Working Cooperatively and Shared Harvest Foodbank. Sarah is a passionate supporter of The Dragonfly Foundation, an organization that brings comfort and joy to kids and young adults with cancer and blood diseases, and has selected this charity to receive the $5,000 grant. Richard Caudell, systems technology programmer/analyst, Richmond, Va. – Richard has served as a volunteer emergency medical technician with the Ashland Volunteer Rescue Squad since 2011 and has selected this organization to receive a $5,000 grant. He has logged more than 1,000 hours each year in volunteer service to the County and was named Hanover County’s EMT of the Year in 2012. Nancy Eckert, management assistant, Baton Rouge, La. – Nancy has been the driving force behind efforts to give back to the Baton Rouge community even before the CarMax store was officially open. She has organized volunteer activities with a diverse group of organizations like the YWCA, Special Olympics and the American Heart Association. Nancy also has organized a number of events benefiting St. Vincent de Paul Society, which strives to understand and fulfill the needs of the poor in Baton Rouge and will receive a grant of $5,000. Eileen Ingle, management assistant, Tucson, Ariz. – Eileen has not only played a leadership role in more than 20 volunteer events with organizations like Susan G. Komen and the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, but she also takes great pride in supporting co-workers who want to give back through volunteerism and donations. She has selected Our Family Services, which provides shelter and support to homeless children and families, to receive the $5,000 grant. Jen Lignelli, management assistant, Sanford, Fla. – Jen has been a driving force behind the Sanford team’s community involvement by organizing a variety of volunteer projects. Through Jen’s leadership, charities like Give Kids the World, Second Harvest Food Bank, and American Cancer Society have received volunteer and financial support. She also has dedicated her time to programs hosted by Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida, which she chose to receive the $5,000 grant. Travis Lipsman, senior buyer, Des Moines, Iowa – Travis has taken a leading role in his store’s community giving efforts by coordinating more than a dozen activities in the past year benefiting organizations like American Lung Association, the YMCA and March of Dimes. Through his leadership, CarMax has also made a significant impact at local food pantries. Travis is passionate about animal welfare and has selected AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport to receive the grant of $5,000. Nestor Lopez, senior buyer, Ontario, Calif. – Nestor heads up the Ontario store’s charitable efforts and inspired his team to participate in events this year with organizations like the American Lung Association and Make-A-Wish Foundation. He also served as a playground build captain in The CarMax Foundation’s partnership with KaBOOM! at the Environmental Charter Middle School. Club 21 Learning and Resource Center will receive the $5,000 grant to support individuals with Down syndrome in reaching their true potential. Kim Ridings, management assistant, Fredericksburg, Va. – Kim has organized more than 20 volunteer events this year, benefiting organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters, the YMCA, Camp Sunshine, and the American Cancer Society. She inspires her team members through her personal dedication to the community and exemplifies a selfless leader. Kim is a passionate supporter of the Greater Fredericksburg Habitat for Humanity, which she selected to receive the grant of $5,000. Kristin Roberts, buyer’s assistant, Stockbridge, Ga. – Kristin has dedicated her time to organizations like Susan G. Komen, Goodwill and Autism Speaks, as well as participating in donation drives serving those less fortunate locally and around the world. She organized a team for a charity run benefiting the Atlanta Children’s Shelter and has helped renovate a home for a deserving family through Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity, which she chose to receive the $5,000 grant.