Dealership uses Facebook to aid food drive

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November 21, 2012

Dealership uses Facebook to aid food drive

Brian Smith Weatherford Democrat The Weatherford Democrat Wed Nov 21, 2012, 08:00 AM CST

WEATHERFORD — During the holidays, many charitable organizations are in need of food, gifts and cash to help out those in need.

One Weatherford car dealer is trying to help out an organization with an old fashioned cash donation — but with a twist.

Jerry’s Cadillac, 3130 Fort Worth Highway in Weatherford, is using the ease of Facebook to assist the Parker County Committee on Aging this holiday season. For every “like” on the dealership’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/jerryscadillacdealership) from now through Thanksgiving night, $1 will be donated to the food bank account of the Parker County Committee on Aging.

The idea for such a modern twist on a food drive came from the dealership’s social media director Ty Whitford, who says he woke up Tuesday morning wanting to help out an organization and had the idea on how to do it. Realizing that times are tough right now, Whitford came up with the thought of having the entire drive done on Facebook.

“People want to help but a lot of folks simply can’t afford to do anything,” Whitford said. “Everyone can afford to click on ‘like.’ This way those that want to help still can and it doesn’t cost them anything.”

With social media becoming more and more in the mainstream, doing a drive like this may spur people on to help out.

“You click like and help out the community. Everyone can do that,” Whitford said. “It’s just a great way to help those in need.”

Whitford presented his idea to General Manager Donna Dickinson and Sales Manager Mark Kraus, who gave the idea a thumbs-up. Dickinson had received an e-mail recently from the Council on Aging saying they were in dire need of food and cash donations to help out their clients during the holiday.

With someone to help, Whitford got everything set up on the dealership’s Facebook account Wednesday morning. The drive could be extended depending on what kind of traffic it receives.

“We’re hoping that people will hit hard and fast and we will be able to make a nice donation,” Whitford said.

To stick with tradition a little bit, Whitford said some of the monies collected will be used to buy food with the rest donated to the council so they can take care of their clientele.

“We met with officials from the Council on Aging this morning and told them what we wanted to do and they are on board,” Whitford said.

A check donation along with food purchased is planned for the first part of next week.