To continue its support of veterans around the United States, the Manheim Pennsylvania wholesale vehicle auction hosted a gala and charity auction to benefit Save A Warrior March 19 to help the auction raise more than $137,000 for the Malibu, Calif., based organization that helps veterans “detox” from combat experiences. 

“Our organization is grateful for this support from Manheim Pennsylvania, its leaders, staff and customers,” said Ronald “Jake” Clark, founder & executive director of Save A Warrior. “We know their history for supporting veterans, so we are extremely honored to receive this support. This donation will truly help us provide the support and services our veterans need.”   

In support of Save A Warrior and its programs, Manheim Pennsylvania employees and customers raised this donation as part of the wholesale vehicle auction’s fourth-annual, two-day Xtreme Spring Event held March 19-20, and a separate fundraiser on March 7. Manheim Pennsylvania, located at the 1190 Lancaster Road, hosted the world’s largest highline vehicle auction – a “100 Grander”  sale – featuring many Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini models and other high-dollar vehicles earlier in the day on March 19.  Later in the day, the auction hosted a gala and charity auction, featuring the sale of a fully-loaded 2012 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck that was bought for $47,500. The purchaser then donated the truck to Save A Warrior as well.

“I am humbled when I look back at Manheim Pennsylvania’s support of our veterans over the last few years,” said Julie Picard, vice president and general manager of Manheim Pennsylvania. “The work that Save A Warrior does to support the young men and women returning home from combat is very impressive. We really feel fortunate to be able to support this organization and the soldiers who have fought for our country.”

Prior to the start of the charity auction, Picard presented Save A Warrior with a $5,000 donation from Cox Automotive, Kelley Blue Book and NextGear Capital, Inc.

On March 7, the auction raised more than $6,000 for Save A Warrior at a screening of the documentary “War Comes Home” held at The Barn at Overlook Park in Manheim Township.

Save A Warrior has changed countless lives through its "war detox" program, which supports those suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS). Save A Warrior, which has helped veterans from across the nation, specializes in serving active duty military, National Guard reservists, veterans, law enforcement, and other first responders who have experienced psychological trauma.

A dog tag display featuring 2,200 acrylic dog tags was on display during both the auction/gala and Xtreme Spring Sale. Donors received an acrylic dog tag for a $10 donation. These 2,200 dog tags are to help illuminate the challenge that Save A Warrior is helping solve, as 22 Post-911 Warriors are lost each day to PTS.

While half of Save A Warrior’s participants report previous suicide attempts and about 90% report experiencing suicidal ideation prior to coming to its program,Clark reports none of the program’s participants have resorted to suicide after completing the program.

“They're all still here,” Clark said. “We are saving lives and helping veterans. To learn more about how this is possible, please keep reading on our website: http://www.saveawarrior.org/.”

Supporting groups like Save A Warrior has been a priority for the Manheim Pennsylvania auto auction for several years. Since 2012, customers and employees of Manheim Pennsylvania have raised more than $180,000 for national, state and local veterans’ organizations. These groups include Wound Warrior Project, Wreaths Across America, Keystone Wounded Warriors, and Vet21Salute, a local Lancaster-based military honor guard. In addition, the Manheim Pennsylvania auto auction sponsored the Memorial Day parade in Salunga, Pa., in 2014, and is working with the township board to plan another event in 2015.