Pub. 57 2016-2017 Issue 3

11 SPRING 2017 One of the signature programs established by the organization is the Steve Thompson Classic Golf Tournament now in its sixth year. While it’s not unusual for local car dealers to dig deep and support their own communities, there are few that rise to the challenge to the degree of Classic Chevrolet in Grapevine, Texas. Since 2012 Classic Chevrolet employees have put on a charity golf tournament to raise money for local charities benefitting children in need, families facing challenges, orphans, the homeless and the disabled. A special committee formed by the employees of Classic Chevrolet chooses the charities and spends the entire year raising donations and planning the annual tournament now named The Steve Thompson Classic Charity Golf Tournament in honor the late Steve Thompson of The Thompson Group at Classic . In addi- tion to obtaining sponsors and golf teams, every employee of Classic Chevrolet and TheThompsonGroup at Classic personally donatemoney through a payroll deduction program. On November 23, 2016, the annual ceremony to distribute checks to the charities was held during a holiday luncheon attended by employees, charity representatives, sponsors and invited guests. Inspired by owner Tom Durant’s challenge to “raise as much money as you can”, the 2016 Steve Thompson Classic has raised $210,000 matched dollar for dollar by  TOM AND SUSAN DURANT’S CLASSIC EMPLOYEES ARE HEROES FOR TEXAS — CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 Tom and Susan Durant for a total of $420,000, bringing the total donations raised since 2012 to a staggering $1,620,000. Ten local charities received checks for $40,000 each including 6 Stones Mission Network, Christ’s Haven, The Angel Fund of Trinity High School, RISE, GRACE, Food for the Soul, V.A.S.T., Com- munity Storehouse, Neuro Assistance and Clubhouse for Special Needs. Mike Zorn, Service Director for Classic Chev- rolet addressed the large crowd, “The reason that we do this is to not only raise much needed funds, but also to raise awareness of what these charities do. They are all an extremely impor- tant part of our local community and play an enormous role in providing assistance for those in need, working tirelessly, and oftentimes, completely under the radar. We want to do what we can to shine a light on their contribution to our community.” Another organization supported by the Steve Thompson Classic is The Miracle League of Southlake. The non-profit organizations that exist to make a significant difference in de- serving peoples’ lives always face a challenge in funding. From the day The Miracle League opened in Southlake, Classic Chevrolet has lent their support as the scoreboard sponsor, and The Thompson Group at Classic Chevrolet has also been the outfield wall sponsor. This year, due to the fundraising efforts of the Classic employ-