J.D. Byrider

Every year, too many children are not fortunate enough to have warm protection during the frigid winter months. J.D. Byrider is proud to announce its partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland to begin a donation campaign beginning Friday, November 18 through Saturday, December 10. Children this winter need hats, coats, gloves and scarves. All donations go to the children of the Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland. Help us make a child’s holiday memories outside this winter!

You can bring your donation to any of the four convenient J.D. Byrider locations listed below:

Bedford: 90 Broadway
Parma: 5250 Brookpark Rd.
Cleveland: 15200 Lorain Rd.
Amherst: 7250 Leavitt Rd.

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Knoxville Franchisee, Corporate Office Thank Community for Assistance after May Fire

On May 7, a fire caused major damage to the J.D. Byrider dealership at 8413 Kingston Pike in Knoxville. However, due to significant efforts by Knoxville-area fire personnel, there were no injuries to employees and the building was salvageable.

To thank the community for their assistance during and after the fire, Knoxville franchise owner Vince Keller donated $1,000 to local charitable organization FISH Hospitality Pantries, and J.D. Byrider’s corporate office is matching the gift for a total donation of $2,000.

Each month, FISH Hospitality Pantries – a non-profit, all-volunteer organization – provides food packages to more than 11,000 families in four Knoxville locations and more than 2,000 families from locations in Claiborne County and Knox County.

“The local community has been extremely helpful during the past month as we have worked to get back in business,” said Keller. “Donating to such a worthy organization is the least we could do to thank Knoxville and area fire personnel for the work they put into saving our store.”

“We are grateful no one was seriously injured during the fire and a portion of the dealership was saved,” said J.D. Byrider CEO Steve Wedding. “Knoxville has been a great community for business, and we are proud to give a donation to FISH Hospitality Pantries to thank the community for their assistance.”

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Area franchisee, corporate office giving matching donations.

J.D. Byrider is joining with its Tuscaloosa franchisee to donate to area organizations providing assistance to members of the community affected by the recent tornado outbreak.

Tuscaloosa franchisees Steve and Jeanne Locklear, who own the J.D. Byrider location at 3109 Greensboro Ave., as well as the Locklear Chrysler Jeep Dodge dealership at 550 Skyland Blvd., donated $1,500 to Holy Spirit Catholic Church and $1,000 to The Salvation Army of Tuscaloosa. J.D. Byrider’s corporate office is matching each for a total donation of $5,000.

“Although our business was destroyed, we feel extremely lucky to have survived the disaster,” said Steve Locklear. “By donating to two organizations that are assisting with food, housing, financial support and other daily needs, we hope to help others in our community get a sense of normalcy back to their lives.” In addition to the cash donation, the Locklears gave a courtesy van – the vehicle used to shuttle people to work or home when their car was being serviced – to The Salvation Army.

“We are devastated to see the destruction and loss of life caused by the April 27 tornadoes,” said J.D. Byrider CEO Steve Wedding. “We are proud to stand with the Locklears in the rebuilding of the city of Tuscaloosa while caring for the needs of those who have been affected by this natural disaster.”

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The entire J.D. Byrider community is proud to support the American Heart Association in its drive to fight heart disease in women.

Heart disease is still the No. 1 killer of women, taking the life of 1 in 3 women each year.  This means women, mothers, sisters, friends – are dying at the rate of one per minute. It doesn’t have to be that way.  Make it your mission to fight heart disease in women.

Show your support by wearing red on Friday, February 4th as part of the National Wear Red Day to help raise funds to benefit women’s cardiovascular health.  Share the day with your network outreach to your friends, family and co-workers.  Please visit GoRedForWomen.org/WearRedDay to make a donation, “Tell 5″ and stay informed.

Join us and the American Heart Association’s mission to ensure that we never have to deny education and research that could save a woman’s life.  Together we can make a difference.

Start your mission to fight heart disease in women at GoRedForWomen.org/WearRedDay.

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In Indiana, home to J.D. Byrider Corporate Headquarters, nearly 3 million Hoosiers are either overweight or obese.   There are similar statistics all across America. Many people will resolve to get healthier in the New Year, including eating better and exercising more. One of the best resources to stay on track for lasting change is the American Heart Association’s free Start! program available at www.startwalkingnow.org.
Start! encourages a culture of physical activity through walking, an easy form of exercise that has the lowest dropout rate.

Other benefits of walking include:

•    Walking an extra 20 minutes a day will burn off 7 pounds of body fat each year.

•    Walking on a regular basis increases bone density, decreases mental stress, and improves circulation.

•    Physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, colon cancer, dying prematurely.

The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity, however, less than one-third of Hoosiers engage in regular physical activity.

“Physically inactive people are at greater risk for cardiovascular disease because their blood vessels shrink in size and it takes less cholesterol to create a serious blockage,” said Dr. Ed Harlamert, president and CEO of Heart Partners of Indiana, which is part of Clarian Cardiovascular. “That’s why exercise is so important – among its many benefits, blood flow opens up your arteries and can actually help to diminish the degree of any blockages you might have.”

There are other statistics and recommendations that can help you make the decision to “start” living healthier.  The average American works 164 hours more hours per year today than 20 years ago. And, more of today’s jobs are performed in sedentary positions – in front of computers, in long commutes or long-distance business travel. It’s almost necessary to force yourself to get up and move to get the exercise you need. Fortunately, walking is one of the easiest things to do. So, get up from your desk and walk around your office. Park farther away when you go to the mall or grocery store. Take the aisle rather than the people-mover.

The association also recommends adults eat five servings of fruits or vegetables per day – something only 23 percent of Hoosiers say they do. Think about your own eating habits, wherever YOU are – do YOU eat five servings of fruits or vegetables a day? Maybe it’s time to “start”!

At www.startwalkingnow.org, you can learn more about the Start! program. There is information for improving both diet and exercise, including:

•    Diet & Lifestyle Recommendations
•    Grocery List Builder
•    Nutrition Database & Facts
•    Motivational Tips
•    Walking Tips
•    Injury Prevention Tips
•    Goal Setting
•    Weight Control
•    Holiday Healthy Eating Booklet , and more

Start! is sponsored nationally by Subway and in locally by J.D. Byrider, Clarian Cardiovascular and American Health Network.

Come on feet…Start! Walkin’…

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Michelle Herbert, J.D. Byrider Sales Consultant in Traverse City, MI shares her story with us about The Michigan Youth Opportunity Initiative taking place in partnership with her J.D. Byrider Dealership.

The Michigan Youth Opportunity Initiative is a non-profit organization that assist young people who are aging out of the foster care system by providing them with mentoring, support, education and introducing them to resources in their community that can help them to be successful in their new independent lives.

Every 6 months a group of these young people and their advisers meet in our showroom , have pop and pizza, and then listen to our presentation on the ins and outs of purchasing a used vehicle.  My General Manager, Tom Holt, does a presentation about what to look for when purchasing a used vehicle from a dealership or a private owner. He advises them to have it looked at by a certified mechanic prior to purchase and reminds them that after they purchase a vehicle, the out pour of money does not stop there.  We discuss the cost of gas, insurance, repairs and maintenance and the importance of keeping their car in good working condition.  I’m up next with the introduction to J.D. Byrider and how our program can help them not only purchase a reliable, affordable first vehicle, but how it can help them to take that ever important first step into the world of credit and the positive effect that it can have on the rest of their lives.

We scheduled 2 hours for our first meeting.  I have got to tell you, we did not plan a good turnout, and weren’t really sure if anyone would ask a question, so filling the full 2 hours seemed as if it would be impossible!  However, once we got the kids involved, they asked a lot of good questions, told some great stories and really walked away with a lot of information that they felt they could use.  The meeting ended up lasting 3 hours and everyone was happy that they attended.

As an added bonus, we extend to the youth the ability to call us at anytime with any questions that they may have, call us with a vin number and we can run an Auto Check for them on the vehicle at no charge, or if they need to have a car inspected we are open to helping them with that also.

Meeting with these young people has been a very rewarding experience.  They are interested and interesting.  They have had experience in their young lives that most of us would not wish on our worst enemy, yet they come to the meetings smiling, and ready to learn.  Sure the pizza and pop are free, but after the munching is done, the information that we provide them will serve them well for a life time.  I am proud to be a part of their transition to independence.

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On Saturday, November 6th, J.D. Byrider raised $700 and collected toys and clothes for the Columbus Fireman’s Cheer Fund! The donations, which included over $1,000 in toys, were raised during the annual wrestling show and raffle that is put on with Hoosier Pro Wrestling each year.

The picture shows Bryan Brown (middle), the head of the Fireman’s Cheer Fund, accepting the $700 donation from J.D. Byrider’s Columbus, Indiana G.M,  Rick Malson (right) and J.D. Byrider Managing Partner, Mike Bolin (left).

J.D. Byrider will also be raising donations for the Fireman’s Cheer Fund during the Festival of Lights Parade in Columbus, IN on Dec. 4th. This night parade marks a community kick-off to Christmas in a night full of holiday joy and sprit. J.D. Byrider is proud to give back to the community, the Fireman’s Cheer Fund, and to the kids in need this holiday season.

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It was still dark when the first interview of the day aired on Radio Disney from 6:30 to 7:00 a.m. The sunrise sky was taking on a beautiful orange hue when the first live interview with Jim England, J.D. Byrider Advertising Group president, hit Fox 59 TV at 7:00 a.m. By 8:15, when the live coverage on NBC’s The Today Show began, the sun was bright yellow. And when Jim did his live interview on NBC affiliate WTHR-13’s Chief Meteorologist, Chuck Lofton, the sky was beginning to turn a breathtaking cobalt blue.

But perhaps, the prettiest blue was that seen on the shirts of Team Byrider…the hearty group that showed up to walk to honor both victims and survivors of heart disease and stroke…and pay tribute to a relationship that was begun by the late Jim DeVoe, Sr. “I promised Jim when he was alive that I would make our relationship with the American Heart Association (AHA) mean something,” England said. “Since Jim’s untimely death, I’ve tried to make it mean even more. We need our associates to take better care of themselves so they can take better care of their families and our customers. Start! is the perfect answer to getting people up, moving and thinking about making better choices regarding diet and exercise.”

J.D. Byrider is a now a Cause Sponsor of the Indianapolis Start! Heart Walk. England serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the AHA in the Indianapolis Metropolitan area. Advertising Coordinator, Audrey Ryder, serves on the Logistics Committee for the walk, having been Chairman in 2009, and works with Jim to make sure the event is successful year after year.

Audrey was responsible for developing the concept of the “Start! Girls.” These girls don bright green wigs, green shirts, white shorts & tennis shoes with green laces to create more buzz about the event. “They’re a hit wherever they go”, says Audrey. “From the kickoff of National Start! Walking Day back in the spring, to the J.D. Byrider 100 at O’Reilly Raceway Park, to the walk itself, the girls create a lot of interest and excitement. The Start! Girls are usually made up of local high school dance teams from the central Indiana area.

And, then there was bright red. Seen both in the hats of the Heart and Stroke Survivors present at the event, and on the “Start Your Engines” shirts worn by members of the team from the Tony Stewart Foundation. Heart survivors Bailey Hunsberger and Josiah Scheller were joined by TSF representatives Joni Thompson and Julie Zintsmaster and all were part of a great fundraising project between J.D. Byrider, the Tony Stewart Foundation and Start!

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J.D. Byrider and Tony Stewart Foundation “Start Your Engines” campaign will hit full stride this Saturday.

Tony Stewart is one of the most competitive drivers on the NASCAR circuit, which should come as no surprise since he’s been a competitor and winner all his life. He’s puts his heart into everything he does, and he’s been involved in so many outstanding projects throughout the years. Back in July, Tony Stewart and Jim England, president of the J.D. Byrider Advertising Group, Inc. announced a new program that has A LOT of heart.

“The Tony Stewart Foundation (TSF) has a great relationship with Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis, and with ICAN (the Indiana Canine Assistant Network)“, said Stewart. “We were very excited to announce our “Start Your Engines…it’s all about heart” effort to raise funds for the Indianapolis Start! Heart Walk for the American Heart Association.

“The Tony Stewart Foundation has organized its ‘Start Your Engines’ program asking Hoosiers to support the Start! Heart Walk in downtown Indianapolis,” said TSF Director Joni Thompson. “In keeping with our mission of helping children and animals, we’ve formed two teams to compete/participate in this year’s Start! Heart Walk. Josiah Scheller and Bailey Hunsberger will serve as Tony’s “Crew Chiefs” for the Heart Walk.”

Josiah is from Evansville, and he’s 9 years old. He was born with a congenital heart defect called Ebstein’s Anomaly and is being evaluated for a triscuspid valve replacement. He also is awaiting a service dog from ICAN.

Bailey has been a survivor for all of her 18 years. She also was born with a heart defect and had the first of 5 open-heart surgeries when she was just 3 days old.

Bailey and Josiah will both walk this Saturday at the Start! Heart Walk.

“As a member of the Executive Board of the American Heart Association and Chairman of this year’s Start! Heart Walk, I can’t thank Tony and the Tony Stewart Foundation for their participation,” said England. “We’re also very grateful for The Office Depot contribution of $2000 per team. That is truly a tremendous gesture on their part.”

“I also can’t thank the DeVoe family, the Senior Management Team, all of our Team Captains and all of our supporters at JD Byrider enough for their commitment. We’re truly blessed to have such a great group representing the ‘soul’ of JD Byrider. We’re truly committed to helping people advance in their lives, and this effort on behalf of the American Heart Association is further evidence of that. Thanks, again, to everyone, and thanks to Tony Stewart for putting his heart into everything he does. I truly value our friendship and relationship. It will be great to see 10,000 people downtown this Saturday, walking to celebrate yet another successful Start! Heart Walk.”

For more information about the Start! Heart Walk taking place on September 18th visit www.indyheartwalk.org or www.tonystewartfoundation.org.

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JD Byrider Kart Racing Team Drivers Ron Petersen, Tony Petersen and Colton Aldridge are looking forward to getting back in their karts soon. All 3 drivers will be back in Kart Racers of America (KRA) action on Sunday, August 29th at New Castle Motorsports Park (NCMP). This will be the 1st of the final 5 KRA events that continue through September. Ron and Colton also have the October 9th and 10th Mazda Robo-Pong 200-Mile Endurance Race to end the season.

On Labor Day weekend, Colton will travel to Rock Island, IL to compete in one of the biggest and most famous street races in the country, The Rock Island Grand Prix. The “Race For Riley” on Wednesday, July 21st was, again, a huge success with all 3 drivers competing, as well as a host of JDB employees. The “Sponsor Race”, which is the biggest event of the day, was won by JDB Vice President, Doug Turner, who beat out a hard-charging John Andretti. Everyone enjoyed the event that raised over $150,000 for the Riley Hospital for Children.

Race winner, Doug Turner, with 2nd place finisher John Andretti.

Tony Petersen had the team’s karts on display at the 10th Annual JD Byrider 100, July 22nd at O’Reilly Raceway Park. Tony signed autographs and joined the “Start” Girls in pre-race ceremonies for the command to “Start Your Engines!!”. Ron and Tony are also looking forward to the American Heart Association “Start! Heart Walk!” on Saturday, September 18th, Celebration Plaza at White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis. Join Tony’s team by going to: www.tonypetersenracing.com and donate today!

Tony Stewart’s Eldora Speedway has a break until September 5th. For tickets and additional information on all events at Eldora Speedway, go to http://www.eldoraspeedway.com

For mroe info on NCMP or KRA, go to http://www.newcastleraceway.com . For additional JD Byrider Racing Team information, go to http://racing.jdbyrider.com/ or contact Steve Petersen at 317-249-3036 or Shannon Aldridge at 317-249-3194.

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