Manheim Nashville Raises $1.1 Million for Charity

Over the past 10 years, Manheim Nashville, its employees and customers have raised more than $1.1 million for Mary Jo’s Cure 4 Kids, a charity established in 2004 to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

by Staff

November 12, 2013

Manheim Nashville Raises $1.1 Million for Charity — Manheim General Manager Sam Chaple, right, poses with Dan Dietsch, Mary Jo’s father, and Dan’s son at The 10^th annual Mary Jo’s Cure 4 Kids Golf Classic 2013 held in September at Gaylord Springs Golf Club in Nashville, Tenn.

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More than $200,000 has been raised in 2013, helping Manheim Nashville reach its 10-year fundraising goal. The charity was named after the daughter of former Manheim Nashville employee Dan Dietsch, who passed away in 2010 following a long childhood battle with a rare form of brain cancer. The charity’s goal was to raise $1 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital over a 10-year period, beginning in 2004. Mary Jo, who was treated at St. Jude, suggested the $1 million amount, and the team quickly embraced the target that became known by everyone as “Mary Jo’s Million.”

“The Manheim Nashville team has embraced the chance to make a difference by sacrificing not just their time, but also many of their own dollars to help St. Jude,” said Sam Chaple, general manager of Manheim Nashville. “It’s been a thrill to see how an annual golf outing has expanded into such a successful fundraiser.”

“Because the majority of St. Jude funding comes from individual contributors, St. Jude has the freedom to focus on what matters most – saving kids regardless of their financial situation,” said Allison Buchignani of ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “Thanks to supportive organizations like Manheim Nashville, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing and food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.”

The fundraising efforts, which started with a golf tournament, have expanded into multiple events and have stretched to Manheim customers from several states.

Manheim General Manager Sam Chaple, right, poses with Dan Dietsch, Mary Jo’s father, and Dan’s son at The 10^th annual Mary Jo’s Cure 4 Kids Golf Classic 2013 held in September at Gaylord Springs Golf Club in Nashville, Tenn.

St. Jude is leading the way to help the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other deadly diseases.

The Manheim Nashville fundraising efforts in 2013 included the following events:

The 10^th annual Mary Jo’s Cure 4 Kids Golf Classic 2013 was held in September. The money raised at the event pushed the fundraising efforts over $1 million.
Earlier this year, Essen Motor Company of Knoxville, Tenn., auctioned off a few select units at Manheim Nashville with 25% of the proceeds going towards Mary Jo’s Cure 4 Kids. Over a few weeks, 14 units sold to raise more than $28,000.
On April 10, auction staff wore special pink shirts in honor of Dan Dietsch’s visit to Manheim Nashville. The last shirt was auctioned off and it sold 13 times to raise $11,800.
Throughout the year, Manheim Nashville held three raffles, sold Mary Jo’s Million t-shirts, the auction’s antique gas pump and surplus equipment, and collected more than $1,300 in coins during a “Piggy Bank” competition.

“It’s hard to believe that one day of golf back in 2004 has turned into more than $1.1 million,” said Kevin Cook, Manheim Nashville assistant general manager. “Sam and I can’t say enough about the sacrifice of so many employees, customers and vendors. They have jumped in from day one and have helped drive this fundraiser to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.”