Coughlin Chillicothe is the Proud Sponsor of the Stings a youth traveling baseball team in Southern Ohio
that play all over Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia.
Coughlin Toyota and Hyundai of Heath Toy Drive!
Concert, auction funds will help 350 families
Care Train of Union County raised more than $162,000 at its annual charity auction Dec. 14, beating last year's total by $12,000.
Donations are still coming in, so the final tally will likely be even higher.
Since 1987, the nonprofit organization has conducted toy drives and auctions to give a helping hand to families in need during the holiday season.
"The majority of that will go toward food vouchers going to families, seniors and disabled adults," said Pam Sturwold, Care Train's executive assistant.
Sturwold said the funds will enable the group to help at least 350 families.
More than 150 items were donated for this year's auction, ranging from vouchers and coupons to handmade crafts, sports memorabilia and electronics.
Some of the big-ticket items included a Kohler & Campbell grand piano, a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu, a 1999 Ford Expedition, a 2003 Ford Windstar Wagon and a 2015 Honda Pioneer utility-terrain vehicle, Sturwold said.
The vehicles were donated by Coughlin Automotive, Bob Chapman Ford and John Hinderer Honda Powerstore. The piano was donated by Steve and Nancy Miller.
The winning bids are kept confidential, Sturwold said.
Other items up for bid included McDonald's coupons, quilts, Longaberger baskets, tickets to sporting events and a variety of televisions.
Some unique items were also featured. Bidders could win a day with the Union County sheriff, lead a future parade alongside the Marysville police chief, take a trip in a hot air balloon or ride in a combine.
A portion of the money raised came from the eighth annual benefit concert Dec. 13 at Marysville High School, which featured the Cardinal Health Orchestra and the Marysville High School Symphonic Choir.
Sturwold said Cardinal Health matched the concert's proceeds with $5,000.
"It was amazing, the atmosphere, and everyone was so excited for being there," Sturwold said.
This year marked an important evolution in the live charity event, she said. The auction, which was held at McAuliffe's Ace Hardware, was broadcast over the Internet on Livestream.com.
Care Train's auction was watched by more than 700 viewers, according to its Livestream page.
"We had someone from Florida who bid on an item," she said.
Sturwold said the volunteers had a great time answering phones. She said the volunteer base ranged from residents to city officials, including Marysville Mayor John Gore.
Gore said he has been involved with Care Train for a majority of its 28 years, in one capacity or another.
"It makes you feel great about the community. ... We take care of our own, and this is a great example of how Union County cares for those in need," Gore said.
He said the annual auction does a great job helping children and families in the community, and it also attracts high-quality items.
"Seems like there's something bigger and better every year," he said.
"The whole community gets involved. This isn't just a few of us volunteers getting together, it's the whole Union County community," Sturwold said.
"We thank the community for everything they did. Without the volunteers, we couldn't do this," she said.
"To help people who are in financial need this time of year, that's what Christmas is all about," Sturwold said.
Coughlin Corvette Coloring Contest - Congrats to all the Winners!
Coughlin Chillicothe Teamed up with Zoin Baptist Church
to collect toys for the Community Christmas Giveaway
Chevrolet Youth Soccer pictured with Coughlin Chillicothe's GM Dan Turner
Coughlin Marysville Employees Complete the
ALS Ice Bucket Challenge!
Coughlin Chevrolet Championship Series
If you're looking for some top notch 5k races and a day trip or two for the summer, check out the Coughlin Chevrolet Championship Series in Columbus. You may even make the drive home in a brand new Chevrolet!
Unlike last week's featured race (Grandma's Marathon), the Coughlin Series Races are relatively close. Closer than you may realize, in fact. At just over 2 hours drive from Perrysburg and with a bit later start time of 8:30 a.m, the Coughlin Races can give you an out-of-town racing experience in our fine State Capitol, without the expense of even a hotel stay.
I've been racing the Coughlin Series the past two years and have been impressed. Just this morning, I participated in the Stingray 5k at Arch Park in downtown Columbus. It was a bit of a challenging course, but nonetheless I was able to run a strong time of 14:39 and place 2nd against a tough elite field. Only Dave's Racing Team's very own Richard Kessio got away from me, taking the lead in the first 100 yards and never looking back. Did I mention he ran a 2:18:09 marathon last weekend, and recently celebrated his 40th birthday? Don't ask me how he does it; I have no idea!!
Anyhow, like Grandma's, Coughlin not only hosts a fine elite field but also a stellar event through and through. Up for a PR? I set mine at the Fast 5k in Pataskala back in May in the first race of the series. Want a bit more of a challenge? Today's Stingray 5k course actually featured a few of these things called hills... completely foreign to us Frogtowners (or is it Glasscitizens? That may sound cooler...)
When the run is over, there is often live entertainment, vendors, and even cookouts. Portions of each registration go to important Mid-Ohio charities, and you may add additional donations at registration. Plus, each race you sign up for automatically enters you into a drawing to win a brand new Chevy Spark FREE!! That's a bit more than your average door prize!
Unfortunately, only one race remains in the series for 2014, but the good news in that it looks like they've saved the best for last. The Flash 5k is Saturday, August 16th in Pataskala. If I'm not able to PR at Tigertown this year, this will be my second chance. It's on the same course that I ran my PR on back in May. It can be for you as well! Or, run the Pemberville 5 Miler Friday night on your way down and enjoy two great events in one weekend.
Evan - www.davesrunning.com
PICCA to host golf outing for Tots
CIRCLEVILLE — The first chance to participate in the annual fundraisers for Toys for Tots is on the horizon.
The golf outing, sponsored by Pickaway County Community Action (PICCA), is slated for Friday, July 18. Registration for a four-player team is $280 or $70 per person. The outing is taking place at Pickaway County Golf Course, formerly known as Pickaway County Country Club.
Tiffany Elliot, organizer for the event and Representative Payee at PICCA, said it’s a way to get the funding cycle kicked off for Toys for Tots that happens at the end of November until shortly before Christmas.
“It’s a great opportunity to enjoy a round of golf and be able to help out the kids of Pickaway County at Christmas,” she said. “We do this to raise a little extra money for the kids.”
So far, 13 teams have registered for the event and there is still space available for more teams. Registration can take place up until 8 a.m. on July 18, before the scramble starts.
Coughlin Automotive Group is co-sponsoring the event with PICCA and has provided several prizes for anyone who is able to get a hole in one on one of the par three holes. Those prizes include two four-day, three-night golf vacations and resorts, a Travis Mathew head-to-toe signature outfit and a $500 shopping spree and a 2014 Chevy Impala.
Elliot also said there would be a lunch provided to the golfers and a small auction.
Toys for Tots served nearly 1,100 children last year, according to information provided to Elliot.
Mike and Al Coughlin--Grill Masters at the first Chevrolet5K race and cruise-in of the year. Hot dogs taste better when an owner does the cooking!
Excellent Attendance Earns Student A Car
By Amanda Plotts Staff Reporter
CIRCLEVILLE -
Excellent attendance earned a Circleville High School junior a car on Friday during the ACTION assembly for the seniors' last day of school.
Massie Gillian was handed the keys to a 2001 Ford Focus out of a drawing of 235 students at the assembly.
Gillian said was excited to win the car because he currently does not have one and has to depend on his girlfriend for a ride or has to walk.
"I have been looking for a car for I can't tell you how long," he said.
The car was used as an incentive for students to achieve excellent attendance as part of the ACTION program at the school. ACTION is a school wide positive behavior support system that provides a positive focus to maximize achievement. This is the fourth year a car has been awarded to a student through the program.
Students grades nine through 12 have three opportunities throughout the year to earn tickets for the drawing of the car. If a student has excellent attendance, which is four or fewer excused absences or tardies, in the first or second semester they earn a ticket. Also, if a student has perfect attendance all year, they are eligible for a ticket.
For the first car giveaway in 2011, there were 117 students eligible for the drawing. The number of eligible students rose to 170 in 2012 and in 2013, 215 students had a chance to win the car.
Out of the 235 eligible students this year, 20 had perfect attendance for the whole school year.
Fred Styers, a teacher at CHS and adviser of the ACTION program, said in previous years the school had been struggling to meet the state's attendance goal of 93 percent. Styers said Chris Thornsley, CHS principal, was at a conference where a bigger school district had shared their car giveaway program and Thornsley brought the idea back to the school.
Styers said he reached out to Doug Winland, general manager of Coughlin Cars of Circleville, and formed a partnership with him to get this done.
Winland said he likes to be a part of the program because attendance has doubled over the years.
"It is a great program, and we are proud to be a part of it," he said.
According to Winland, the school pays a minimal cost for the tax and fees, and Coughlin donates the car.
Chosen Few Vette Club
Spring Fling Corvette Show - Sponsored by Coughlin Pataskala
May 10, 2014
Coughlin renovating 3 new-car dealerships
Coughlin Automotive is making major renovations at three of its 10 central Ohio new-car dealerships, an increasingly common practice as dealers recover from the downturn of several years ago.
The work, the cost of which was not disclosed, will take place over the next few months in the following locations:
“These renovations, while a challenge now, will be well worth it when completed,” co-owner Mike Coughlin said in a statement. “They will help us improve the customer experience and increase both our service and sales capacity.”
This is the company’s largest project since it built a new Toyota dealership in Heath, which opened in 2012, replacing an older building.
The project is part of a larger trend of dealers investing in their buildings, helped by resurgent sales and often at the urging of the automakers.
Thanks to those healthier sales, dealerships are more comfortable about moving forward with renovations than in 2010 and 2011, said auto-dealership industry consultant Glenn Mercer.
Because it is common to see renovations that cost more than $5 million, Mercer said, dealers have been wary of “an overbuilt and expensive ‘Garage Mahal.’ ”
Even so, “In most cases, those dealers are often remodeling because they are being forced to remodel by their franchise,” said Brett Stevenson, publisher of Dealer Marketing Magazine.
The reason for such tepid enthusiasm is that return on investment is rarely good, Mercer said. Usually, the best return comes after refurbishing an older dealership or expanding service areas, such as Coughlin is doing, according to a study that Mercer conducted for the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Other spending, on such things as modernizing the decor or making it look similar to other dealerships carrying the same brand, yields few discernible financial benefits.
Coughlin Automotive’s marketing director said that the renovations at the three locations, “are significant, both from a financial standpoint and an aesthetic standpoint, and would include both interior and exterior face-lifts.”
Coughlin Automotive, owned by Al and Mike Coughlin, is based in Pataskala and has a network of dealerships in the suburban and rural areas near Columbus. Its brands include all of those sold by Detroit’s Big Three — Chrysler, Ford and General Motors — plus foreign-based brands such as Hyundai, Kia, Nissan and Toyota.
Step Up for Stefanie 5K event held on The OSU Campus
To learn more about the Stefanie Spielman Fund CLICK HERE
CONGRATS Luke Roth on winning Frankie's Custom Crew Camaro!!
Hopewell Federal hosts car show for humane society
The show was sponsored by Webb Financial Group, Coughlin Automotive, Madison-Collins-Stephens Insurance, LICCO Incorporated and Newark Advocate Media/cars.com.
Proceeds from the event benefited the Licking County Humane Society, a non-profit volunteer organization devoted to the humane treatment of animals. It operates a non-profit, no-kill shelter in Heath.
Admission was free to the car show, which also included music, a 50/50 raffle and door prize drawings.
Golf outing raises $3K for Toys for Tots
PICCA’s fourth annual Toys for Tots golf outing was held June 7 at the Pickaway Golf Club. The event was sponsored again this year by Coughlin Automotive of Circleville.
A field of 32 golfers had an opportunity to win a brand new Chevrolet Malibu, golf dream vacation, golf clubs and other prizes if they were lucky enough to score a hole-in-one on one of the par 3 contests. No one won any of the big prizes, but the event raised more than $3,000 for Pickaway County Toys for Tots.
The team “Hess Legal” won the outing this year. Coming in second was the Savings Bank and third was Elsea’s team. All three winning teams donated their prize money back to Toys for Tots.
The Car Fox stopped by Coughlin Ford of Johnstown!
Chad Finley Scored Convincing Win in the CoughlinCars.com 100 Presented by JEGS.com
New Points Leader Picks Up Second Straight
Triumph At Columbus Motor Speedway
Columbus, Ohio (Saturday, May 25th, 2013): The CoughlinCars.com 100 Presented by JEGS.com, the second race of the 2013 racing season for the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance was at the tricky 1/3 (0.333) mile semi-banked circular shaped paved oval of Columbus Motor Speedway in Columbus, Ohio and for the second year in a row, Chad Finley was standing in victory lane as the DeWitt, Michigan driver, who earlier in the evening broke the Track Record in Boyne Machine Qualifying, took the lead on lap two and dominated en route to the convincing win.
“This car was just awesome tonight, but at the end of the race, the motor began laying down. I’m not sure if we blew it up or not.” The happy driver of the #42 G-Oil / Ford stated in victory lane. “I was flat footing it around the track for the most part. I just couldn’t ask for a better night though for this whole team. So happy to get another one of these trophies,” he added.
Earlier in the afternoon, Finley began his sweep of the program by breaking the Track Record in Boyne Machine Qualifying and then drew the minimum inversion of a three, which placed a pair of hometown favorites in 17-year-old Cody Coughlin from near-by Delaware, Ohio and veteran Columbus native, Robbie Pyle on the front row for the 100-lap main and it would be Pyle beating Coughlin to the first corner to take the early lead.
A quick caution one lap into the race bunched the field back up and prior to the yellow flag, Finley had also gotten by the pole-sitter Coughlin for second. On the restart, Finley used the inside lane to his advantage and would take over the lead from the former ASA National Tour star and proceed to pull away from the rest of the field. Despite nine more cautions that slowed the pace down, Finley was up to the task on each restart and would pull away time and time again.
One last restart on lap 98 set up a green-white-checkered finish, but again, Finley was able to get a good jump on the second place car of Brandon Oakley, a former winner at Columbus in Weekly Late Models competition, and pull away one more time to take the checkered flag for the second year in a row in this event, this time in convincing fashion and he also takes over the early season Points Lead in the process.
“This Port City Racecars ride is just awesome. My little team can fight that’s for sure. We’ve got almost an entirely new crew this year and I’m just so proud of everyone,” The 21-year-old continued. “We hadn’t planned on running the entire JEGS/CRA schedule, but we’re leading points now, so maybe we’ll have to go to all of them. We’ll see though. We’ve got the next two on our schedule back home at Dixie and Berlin, so we’ll see where we’re at after those races.” He ended.
A 2013 Rookie of the Year title contender in the ARCA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS, Brandon Oakley brought out a new car for this event and the 18-year-old wheeled his #51 Oakley Blacktop / Chevrolet to a career high second place showing. “The car was really good, but I was getting killed on the restarts.” The Beavercreek, Ohio driver explained. “This is a great night for us, we’ve struggled this season in ARCA/CRA and this finish really boosts the confidence of me and this entire team.” He added.
“The car was good and we were certainly moving up through there, just didn’t have nothing for the top two guys,” Stated third place finisher Josh Nelms after he climbed from his #11 Ray Szarmach Attorney-At-Law / Ford. With the podium finish, Nelms climbs to third in points and also picked up the first Hoosier Racing Tire Performance Award for his efforts.
David McManus would bring home a fourth place effort with Coughlin completing the top five. Jerrod Foley recovered from two separate caution flags he was involved in to post a sixth place effort as Landon Cling from 19th, Last Chance Race Winner Jimmy Novak, who also earned the second Hoosier Racing Tire Performance Award and the Five Star Racecar Bodies Hard-Charger Award for his 23rd to eighth place run. Dan Leeck and Colin Nickolai rounded out the top 10.
Finley’s New Track Record and first Boyne Machine Fast Qualifier Award of the season was a 13.642 which was a 13.796 set by 2011 Tour Champion, Erik Jones by 0.154 seconds with a new mark of a 13.642 that measures out to 87.876mph. Novak won the Last Chance Race over Mike Mazzagatti as both drivers transferred to the main.
The JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance will head north for the third race of the season as the 4/10s (0.400) mile progressively banked paved oval of Dixie Motor Speedway, located north of Flint and south of Saginaw in Birch Run, Michigan will host the running of the Dixie 100 Presented by JEGS.com.
For more information about all four touring series’ within Champion Racing Association Powered by JEGS, go to the website located at: www.cra-racing.com You can also follow CRA on Facebook by going to www.facebook.com and search for “Champion Racing Association” and also on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CRAracing Also for more information about Columbus Motor Speedway, the host facility for race #2 of 2013 for the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance, go to the track website at: www.dixiemotorpeedway.com
Picture from the Inskeep family showing their range of vehicle preferences. Ron Inskeep owns the mustang while his wife Dusti has the camaro but Tommy Tuttle, son in law to Ron and Dusti, has the Challenger!
2nd Annual CFVC Dream Scholarship.
These 500 dollar scholarships are given to deserving H.S. seniors to help them continue with their
post H.S. Education. The winning essays were submitted by the following deserving H.S. graduates:
Ryan Woolard – Liberty Christian Academy
Lyndsey Smith – Watkins Memorial H.S.
Coughlin Cars of Circleville Gives away New ride to one lucky student with excellent attendance at Circleville High School! 225 students qualified for the car giveaway this year compared to 177 and 144 in the second and first year, respectively.
Tim Ghiloni (of Ghiloni Dental Lab)
with his 2005 Prius
just got his oil changed at 330,000miles and going strong.
CIRCLEVILLE – The Circleville school board approved several naming rights contracts at its latest meeting, bringing the total financial commitment for the new athletic complex to $450,000.
Agreements with the Savings Bank, McDonalds, Coughlin Cars, the McGowan family and the Eric Clark Memorial Fund were all made official Wednesday.
Of those donors, the Savings Bank made the most significant contribution of $100,000 by purchasing the naming rights to the football stadium, which will be known as the Savings Bank Stadium.
McDonalds and Coughlin Cars donated to the new score boards in the high school gym and football field, respectively. In addition to having its name on the football score board, Coughlin Cars also agreed to provide a vehicle to the school’s A.C.T.I.O.N. program.
The McGowan family purchased naming rights to the track, and the Clark Memorial Fund purchased naming rights for the varsity football locker room, which will be dually named since it doubles as a wrestling room.
Superintendent Kirk McMahon said a couple deals with Berger Health System for the field house and the Sneed family for the weight room have not yet been made official, but with those considered, the district has raised $450,000 from naming rights deals.
In addition to the school board’s $1 million commitment, the district has raised nearly $2 million of its $3.3 million goal for the athletic complex.
With the $3.3 million, the district plans to renovate the football stadium and install field turf as well as build a field house, baseball complex, softball complex and tennis courts.
As we approach Vette season and it seems to be getting off much sooner than usual, you will hopefully be just like this lucky lady here – Rita from Ohio, out and about enjoying your Corvette! That is what I enjoy promoting, not only the retail side of the Corvette, but rather the lifestyle, the enjoyment, the reward and thrill of having one….regardless of the year.
Rita and her husband Chuck have been incredible supporters over the years, great customers and even now, better friends….their 9th Corvette from me a 2013 ZR1 generated more emails than I have ever gotten from them over the joy they were having in their new car –
AND THAT IS WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT! I have to say, when they picked up the ZR1 last summer…I had tears in my eyes, they were so proud and should be of their purchase and I was so excited for them…sorry Chuck , but I have to tell them you too sir, had tears in your eyes bro……
They are getting one of our first 2014 C7 Corvettes, (#10) but before that, there is a lot of Corvette-ing to do.
I’d like to share a couple of the emails they sent last year and hope you too; are doing the same….absolutely nothing but driving and enjoying YOUR Corvette!
Wait until you see the ZR1 earrings & necklace Chuck got her for Christmas
READ ON
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Rick,
What a beautiful day it turned out to be. It seemed everyone with a classic car or motorcycle was out on the roads !
We took a drive with the ZR1 to Huron using Rt 60 (State Rd) and thru some back roads The leaves were changing against the blue sky was glorious.
I wanted to get some pictures, but it seemed every road we wanted to turn into had the dreaded gravel !!!! We finally got back on Rt 113 and headed into downtown Vermillion.
Had a packed lunch next the the Vermillion River and enjoyed those people with there “toys”, cruising on the river. So peaceful and refreshing, as we know soon the snow will be flying.
Parked the ZR1 in front of an old historic building on Liberty St but unfortunately not sunny enough. Just could not find a good spot to park and get some better shots of fall. We decided to hop back on Rt 2 and head to Quaker Steak and Lube in Sheffield as today was the last scheduled outside cruise in with FLP for the season. What a great choice as around 3:30 the cars were already parking . Cars kept filing in and parking and it was a great turnout !
The ZR1 of course, was a crowd pleaser ! Lot of questions and looks and we were proud as peacocks. I had your cards on the windshield as one fellow was trying to copy the info from the license plate holder from Coughlin. I gave him your card, so hope he contacts you. He wants a ZR1 ! One of your customers was there. Had a yellow Grand Sport with the yellow stitching, not sure if 2010 or 2011. Anyway an older guy and talked with us. Some young guy with a new Cobra Shelby came over and talked with us , so comparing notes !! It was a great turnout for end of October , and we did not leave till 6 !
Wish I had better photos, but at least I got these !
Hope to hear from you soon. Enjoy ! Great idea to post my photos, and be nice if more persons would send photos to you of where they take their Corvettes !
Rita and Chuck
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rick,
We did not think the weather would be as perfect today for cruisin’. but we could not resist. We went all the way out to Beachwood, then back to North Olmsted
Before we left, Chuck stopped in gas station in Rocky River, We were the only ones at the pumps. Chuck was pumping the gas, and all of a sudden, this cop car pulls in, passes us and yells out to Chuck , with a big SMILE, “you want to trade” I had the window down and just kind of laughed too. Then he says, want to trade and Chuck said, “Sure Do !” He kept going but I thought we would get us for no plate.
Then later, a guy was next to us in stopped traffic and noticed we were looking over at a used Firebird. says what do you have to look at any other cars for ! Asked if the carbon top was after market , then said, it’s a beautiful car !!!
Then we were at the Porsche dealer in North Olmsted, and this guy on a bike was admiring it and said it was beautiful !!!
We drove out to the Porsche dealer , pricing and looking at the Cayenne’s. We’re looking for a beater, my Marquis is kind of ready to retire !! HA HA !
Hope you get a laugh out of our pics. I told Chuck, I can’t believe we have a car in this league !! It is pretty amazing, but love it.
We never forget all the sacrifice and wait we went thru during the past 35 years to get to this point and are so thankful and grateful.
Thumbs up !
Rita / Chuck the ZR1 Duo
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Local Fishing Guy Steve Smith Sponsored by Coughlin Cars of Pataskala
Coughlin gave away a new Camaro to a Lucky Columbus Crew Fan!
2012 Circleville Pumpkin Show Queens Parade Cars Sponsored by Coughlin!
Coughlin Cars of Circleville is Sponsoring the Xtreme Buckers
To learn more about Xtreme Buckers Click HERE!
View photos from Coughlin's Fun Flash 5K Dash HERE
To learn more about the Fun Flash 5K Dash as well as up coming 5k races for the 2013 season visit Chevrolet5k.com
Coughlin Toyota of Heath Grand Opening and 2012 Camry Give-Away!
Wow, what a nice visit from the Georgia Corvetters at Coughlin Cars of Pataskala!
The Coughlin Automotive Group and Couglincars.com, surrounding Columbus, Ohio, was a major presence at the 2012 Hartford Fair. Our Licking county dealerships in Newark (Nissan, Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and KIA), Heath (Toyota and Hyundai) and Johsntown (Ford) bought nearly twenty hogs at the Junior Fair Auction, and spent nearly $12,000 to support the youth's efforts. All hogs were pomptly donated back to the kids who raised them
2013 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet Drag Special. Coughlin Ford of Johnstown
Showing 2012 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet Drag Car
Cameron Dean of Coughlin Chevrolet of Pataskala (Columbus LMA) presents check to Columbus baseball league.
COUGHLIN CARS OF CIRCLEVILLE GIVES CAR AWAY TO STUDENT THROUGH ACTION PROGRAM
Student earns car through ACTION program
Posted: Tuesday, May 15, 2012
REGGIE ALLISON, STAFF REPORTER Circleville Herald
CIRCLEVILLE - A Circleville High School sophomore was awarded the keys to a pre-owned car for excellent attendance as part of the ACTION program at CHS. Shaylea Gothard's name was drawn out of more than 190 others at the second annual ACTION program car giveaway Tuesday morning."I think my parents are going to tell me I can't have it," said Gothard, all smiles despite her reservations. "I want Mr. Davis to call them and tell them I won the car."
Gothard said she was excited to win the car. She said she doesn't have her driver's license yet, and she also had no plans to get it anytime soon, although she conceded she now has a viable excuse to get one.
"There were 192 students eligible to participate in the car drawing," said Fred Styers, a teacher at CHS and adviser of the ACTION program. "We just started the program last year, and about 23 percent of the student body was eligible based on attendance. This year 32 percent of the student body was eligible. We are very proud of that increase."The ACTION program is a school-wide positive behavior support system that provides a positive focus on encouraging desirable student behaviors to maximize achievement. Each letter in the acronym "ACTION" stands for a different aspect of the program: Attendance; Completing assignments on time; Transition planning with guidance office; Involvement in extracurricular activities; Outstanding grades; No disciplinary actions.Styers said eligibility for students is based on having "excellent" attendance, meaning that each student eligible has accrued no more than four absences or tardy arrivals throughout the 2011-2012 school year. He said they also had no unexcused absences.He said he felt like following through with the car giveaway last year showed the student body that ACTION was serious, so more students tried for better attendance this year in the hopes of winning.
"The car giveaway has served its purpose and it continues to do so," said Styers. "It had the desired effect on student attendance. Hopefully that will continue to increase. Half the battle is getting the students here; once we have them here, we have no doubt in our abilities to educate them successfully."As part of the drawing this year, ACTION awarded all 192 eligible students with a buffet-style breakfast in the school cafeteria. This was a new addition to the car giveaway celebration, although Styers said ACTION hosted similar breakfasts for students who had good grades as well as good citizenship."We also have incentive drawings for iPods and some other cool stuff," said Styers. "Larger school districts have had a lot of marked success with incentive programs like this. We also have a school cafe called the Tiger Claw Cafe, which is operated entirely by students with multiple handicaps. They sell bottled water, coffee and iced tea. All profits from the cafe go toward funding ACTION awards, including our portion of the car."The prize, a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am, was donated by Coughlin Automotive of Circleville. Coughlin's general manager, Doug Winland, attended the car giveaway and drew the winning name from the basket.Winland said the car is paid for through a 50/50 deal; CHS pays for half and Coughlin donates the other half."From what I understand, attendance numbers have grown significantly since last year's car giveaway," said Winland. "Coughlin Automotive is glad to be involved with this program, and with ACTION at CHS. Hopefully the high school will continue to do this program in the future, and if they do, we will continue to participate as well."
North Fork board honors student achievements with Coughlin Automotive "You Make a Difference Award"
UTICA - The North Fork Board of Education on Monday celebrated student achievements at its meeting on Monday. It recognized outstanding boys and girls basketball team members as well as wrestlers. It also honored Coughlin Automotive "You Make a Difference" award winner Teresa McCoy. McCoy was nominated for the award by Utica fourth-grade student Preston Hardesty.
The rest of the meeting was basically routine, Treasurer Jack McDonald told the News on Tuesday.
Regarding personnel, the board granted the retirement requests of: Elementary teacher Vickie Hahn, with 35 years of service to North Fork; elementary teacher Pamela Mercer, 32 years; and elementary teacher Viann Yankulov, 35 years, all effective at the end of the 2011-12 school year. It also approved a three-year contract for elementary principal Sharon Greene and approved the certificated substitute list. Bonnie Ramseyer was approved as volunteer softball coach, Beth Haines was approved as a volunteer and Scott Cline and Tina Cummings were added to the classified substitute list.
Besides approving routine fiscal actions, the board switched its natural gas carrier through the Metropolitan Educational Council. McDonald said the change should save the district at least $50,000 a year. Also regarding finances, McDonald said the board is starting to discuss ways to fund extra-curricular and co-curricular activities for next year. The cost is between $300,000 and $350,000 and it looks like the North Fork Children's Foundation will not be able to fund all the activities.
In other action, the board approved an outdoor education program for the seventh grade at Pilgrim Hills in November, authorized a summer school intervention program for primary students to meet third grade reading intervention requirements and authorized a summer school program for seventh- and eighth-grade students who do not meet the standards for promotion.
The next regular meeting of the North Fork school board will be at 7 p.m. in Newton Elementary School on April 16.
Coughlin Cars of Circleville helps Picca with Car Initiative
CIRCLEVILLE - A fourth client of PICCA's By Car initiative successfully completed the savings program that allowed her to purchase a used car from Coughlin Automotive with matching funds from the local agency.
Melissa Loar entered the program to save money toward the purchase of a vehicle for work and last week purchased a 2003 Mercury Sable.
"What many people don't realize is that the By Car program is a savings and budgeting program," said Teresa Cramer, benefit bank coordinator for PICCA. "Any client participating in the program has to have consumer and financial education provided by PICCA in addition to saving the required $1,333."
Once a client successfully saves their share, PICCA's finance fund matches the amount two to one, providing another $2,666 for a total of $3,999 to purchase a used vehicle of decent quality.
Cramer said the last two clients to have met the goal amount have gone through Coughlin for their vehicle, which is provided at a minimal mark-up for the dealership, thereby increasing the client's purchasing power.
"Lack of transportation is a key problem with keeping a job among many of our clients," Cramer said. "This program helps people get a job, keep a job or get an education. Transportation or lack thereof is the key to success or failure."
Cramer said many people have problems budgeting; even following tax season, people don't understand how fast their money can be spent and in many cases, where it goes.
She said keeping track of one's finances is a key component of the By Car program, and often in the past clients have been well on their way to saving money when suddenly that money had to be used for something else, often an emergency financial situation.
"It's a more difficult program to complete than many people realize," said Cramer. "Often the people who qualify for it work hard, long hours at low-paying jobs. Many times they have kids, bills and other financial responsibilities, so saving and budgeting money presents a real challenge. Despite what people may think, this is in no way a free car giveaway."
Cramer said the last recipient of the By Car program was forced to walk from her Pontius Lane home all the way to Taco Bell on US Route 23 nearly every day before she managed to enter the program and save enough money to get her own Ford Taurus from Coughlin.
"I can't thank Coughlin enough for their help with this program," said Cramer. "In today's world, it's a rare find to have a company that really cares about people. They go over the vehicles in detail and make sure of their quality before selling them to our clients. It's nice to know the clients going through this program are taken care of."
Cramer said Circleville is surprisingly considered to be a metropolitan area due to its close proximity to Franklin County, whereas most people would consider it more rural. She said would-be participants must meet HUD average median income (AMI) guidelines in order for clients to even be considered for the By Car program.
In a one-person earner household, the primary provider must make less than $23,000 annually to qualify for the program. An individual with annual income even as low as $14,200 is eligible.
Since its inception in February of 2009, the By Car program has helped four clients purchase used vehicles. The program currently has two clients enrolled.
Cramer said if someone else within the household, even an unrelated roommate, has a vehicle, an individual may not be considered eligible for the program.
PICCA’s fourth annual Toys for Tots golf outing was held June 7 at the Pickaway Golf Club. The event was sponsored again this year by Coughlin Automotive of Circleville.
I have to say, when they picked up the ZR1 last summer…I had tears in my eyes, they were so proud and should be of their purchase and I was so excited for them…sorry Chuck , but I have to tell them you too sir, had tears in your eyes bro……
Once a client successfully saves their share, PICCA's finance fund matches the amount two to one, providing another $2,666 for a total of $3,999 to purchase a used vehicle of decent quality.