ADAGP Charitable Foundation dba Auto Dealers CARing for Kids

The mission of the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation is to enhance and enrich the lives of children and youth in the communities where our dealer members work and live. We work to accomplish this through three signature programs: annual New Coat Program, Black Tie Tailgate and Greater Philadelphia Auto Technology Competition (Tech Comp).

Our Foundation has three signature programs: annual New Coat Program, Black Tie Tailgate and Greater Philadelphia Auto Technology Competition (Tech Comp).

Our New Coat program provides brand-new winter coats to impoverished children living in the five-county Philadelphia region. Since 2008 we have distributed 473,000 brand-new winter coats! One in six children in the five-county Philadelphia area lives in poverty, which by federal standards is defined as a family of four living on an annual income below $26,200. This staggering statistic equates to more than 175,000 children. Most, if not all, of these children live without the daily essentials, like a winter coat, that most of us take for granted. With the current pandemic putting millions of people out of work, the need for this essential item will be at an all-time high. This new coat will relieve one small stress point for the recipient and/or their guardian.

Black Tie Tailgate started as a small party of 200 people in 1986 and has grown to be the largest black-tie event in the Philadelphia region with 5,000 annual attendees. It is a fundraiser for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and takes place the Friday evening before the Philadelphia Auto Show opens to the public. Think of it as a VIP pass to the Auto Show (but remember anyone can purchase a ticket and it supports a wonderful cause!).

Tech Comp is a two-part competition that builds awareness for the important role of auto technicians in today’s workforce and spotlights their specialized skills and professionalism. Making up 37% of all employment in a dealership, the service department is vital to the organization’s profitability. With the average age of today’s technician between 55 and 58, it’s estimated that half of technicians nationwide will retire in the next decade. The need for qualified technicians has never been greater. For the 24 finalists, the experience can be life-changing as over $1 million in scholarships, tools and prizes is annually awarded through this event!

Our Driving Away the Cold program provides brand-new winter coats to impoverished children in the Philadelphia area. In the fall of 2020, we distributed 54,000 brand-new coats; bringing our 13-year total to 473,000! We need a lot of hands to distribute that many coats. We work with over 250 social service agencies, YMCAs and school districts. These partners receive our donation, identify the children who would benefit most from this gift and distribute the coats in a responsible manner. We also host several unique events where kids get to try on and pick out their new coats in person.

The Black Tie Tailgate offers an exclusive “behind the velvet ropes” preview of the Philadelphia Auto Show, which is proudly produced by our partner organization, the Auto Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia. Attendees enjoy an open bar and top-notch culinary creations while dancing among some of the world’s finest automobiles—all while supporting a great cause! Think of it as a moving cocktail party throughout the Pennsylvania Convention Center - it is THE way to see the Philadelphia Auto Show and is open to the public. A primary goal of the Black Tie Tailgate has always been to raise money for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Our relationship with Children’s Hospital began in 1986 with a party of approximately 200 people that resulted in a $50,000 donation to the Hospital. Fast forward 30+ years later and the event has grown to be the largest black-tie event in the Philadelphia region with almost 5,000 annual attendees.

Since 2008, we have given the gift a brand-NEW winter coat to 473,000 impoverished children through our New Coat Program. This gift supercharges their self-esteem and relieves a small financial burden for parents or caregivers. We traditionally conduct the New Coat Program in October before the winter weather arrives in Philadelphia. However, well into March, our phone lines are ringing off the hook with calls from additional area teachers, local churches, nearby shelters and others asking if any more coats are available. Our recipients always remind us how valued this everyday item is, but it is the sheer volume of these additional requests that keeps pushing us to find alternate ways to purchase and give more coats to meet this very present need.

Since 1986, we have supported the efforts of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia through our Black Tie Tailgate with more than $9.3 million in contributions. In years past, our donations have supported a multitude of programs, structures and more at the Hospital. In 2011, we took our relationship with the Hospital to the next level by working with different departments (one year at a time) as the specific beneficiary of the event. Past beneficiary departments include the Center for Autism Research, the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, the Division of Neonatology, Division of Neurology and most recently the Department of Nursing.

Since 1994, we have helped hundreds of high school seniors continue their automotive education at the post-secondary level with the scholarships, tools and prizes awarded at our annual Tech Comp.