With community service acting as a guiding principle for how it operates its businesses, Cox Automotive joined the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA) to present the sixth annual NIADA and Cox Automotive Community Service Award to Fairly Reliable Bob’s, Inc. (Boise, Idaho) during the 70th NIADA Convention & Expo in Las Vegas this week. Presented by Barry Roop, regional vice president of local auctions – West region for Manheim, this award recognizes an independent dealership for their outstanding contributions to their community and the innovative ways they collaborate with community partners to help further their missions and shape better communities.

“We are honored to receive this award and to be recognized by NIADA and Cox Automotive for creating positive change in our community,” said Bobby Petersen, owner of Fairly Reliable Bob’s. “The real reward, however, comes from our many achievements and the impact we’ve made while serving the Boise community for more than 40 years.”

Family-owned and operated since 1975, the dealership distinguished itself by embracing charitable giving and volunteerism through its support of more than 30 local charities and youth programs last year alone. One of their many accomplishments includes partnering with a local Corvette enthusiast club to raise money for children’s charities throughout Idaho, including nearly $500,000 for cystic fibrosis research. In addition to their fundraising efforts, the team at Fairly Reliable Bob’s has selflessly dedicated their time to activities supporting numerous civic organizations over the years, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Boy Scouts of America, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Idaho Food Bank and Toys for Tots.

“Community service and inspiring others to shape a better world has long been a part of our culture,” said Roop. “I’d like to congratulate the team at Fairly Reliable Bob’s for embodying these principles and for demonstrating how every person, every organization, every day can make a difference when it comes to serving their community.”

For its leadership and commitment to making a difference through community service, Fairly Reliable Bob’s received a check for $10,000 to be donated to the Utah/Idaho chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), the dealership’s charity of choice. JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research whose mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications.

“We are pleased to once again partner with Cox Automotive to recognize worthy independent dealers for their outstanding community service,” said Steve Jordan, chief executive officer of NIADA. “We commend the entire team at Fairly Reliable Bob’s for personifying the spirit of community service and for sharing their time, talent and resources to improve the lives of others.”

Two other dealerships were honored at the NIADA National Leadership Awards Banquet as finalists for their charitable efforts – A&D Motors (Arab, Ala.) and Matthews Motors (Clayton, N.C.).