Richard and Sara were really proud to accept the Excellence in Community Service and Support award on behalf of the Toms Autos team at the 2024 Auto Super Shoppe Conference in Auckland. With 120 Auto Super Shoppe workshops in the group this was an awesome achievement for our team and one we are all so proud of. Our aim is to be a good business with good people who are doing good things.

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So why did we win? Times have been really tough in our Wairarapa community and as a business we feel it's important we give back and support various initiatives where we can, especially those focused on youth empowerment, community mental health and fostering positive role models.

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- In 2023 we sponsored the U13 Wairarapa representative football team (Douglas Villa Titans) as they played in the Wellington league and competed in the Christchurch International Cup. Our sponsorship enabled talented players to participate in an amazing season of experiences and adventure outside of the Wairarapa. We enjoyed watching local youth showcase exceptional skills, dedication, and sportsmanship which inspired their peers and wider community.

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- Over the 2023/2024 season we also sponsored the Wairarapa representative junior and senior tennis teams. This involved supporting approximately 40 players to represent the Wairarapa at a regional level from young juniors right up to division one players at various tournaments and fixtures against other representative teams in the lower North Island. By promoting physical activity, personal growth, and community leadership, our sponsorship aimed to foster a culture of excellence and inclusivity through a wide range of demographic.

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- We are sponsoring Netball Wairarapa. The netball facilities serve as a hub for thousands of community members, including junior through to senior players, and their families, fostering a vibrant netball community and promoting active lifestyles.

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- In 2024 we are sponsoring a local Carterton football team. This involves enabling a team of 16 men to play sport, stay fit and physically healthy plus improve mental health. With four of our own staff members in the team, our sponsorship represents our commitment to mental and physical health through sport.

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- We also sponsored the local football in schools coach with free car servicing and repair. This dedicated coach traveled around primary schools in the Wairarapa region and introduced kids to football and the health and enjoyment benefits of it. She gave up a lot of her time to give back to our community as a coach in other football teams including Women’s Wairarapa United and the 2023 U13 representative team. She is a great role model for our community.

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- In the last few months we have carried out a free WoF for a local church group who were giving a car away to someone in need. We were also approached by the Cancer Society who had someone in need and so we carried out $250 of repairs to a cancer patients’ vehicle as he couldn’t afford the repairs and he relied on his vehicle to head out of the region for treatment.

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- We have contributed to community events such as providing products for the Cancer Society and various school children raffles and donating prizes for the Castlepoint Fishing Competition and a local Dog Trail Competition. These initiatives reflect our commitment to supporting our Wairarapa community in various capacities, enriching lives and fostering a stronger, more connected region.

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- Our most recent act of giving back to our community involved giving away a service to someone deserving in our community. Our Wairarapa community has been heavily affected by the recession with people from all walks of life struggling to get by and we wanted to make a difference. We had a huge amount of nominations but we are happy this went to a very deserving recipient who owns a CX-5 that was in need of some love!