When customers purchase a vehicle at Charlie’s Family of Dealerships, it is with the understanding that they are joining the Charlie’s family—where customer care is the number-one priority. This sense of support extends to the community as well, with Charlie’s being the largest supporter of United Way of Kennebec Valley’s (UWKV’s) annual campaign.

Through a corporate gift and employee donations, Charlie’s has pledged to contribute a total of $187,526 in 2019—an all-time high for any business supporting UWKV’s campaign and a 10 percent increase over last year’s contributions. As a result, the company is positioned as the leader among United Way’s 12 Cornerstone Partners, which collectively make up more than 53 percent of UWKV’s annual campaign. The company’s culture of giving leads 100 percent of employees to elect to contribute to United Way through payroll deductions.

United Way has been fortunate to build a 30-year partnership with Charlie’s Family of Dealerships and the Shuman family. Charlie’s son, Stephen, and daughter, Elissa Emmons, hold key leadership positions and are driving the company into the future. This year, Stephen and Elissa will serve as UWKV's Campaign Chairs, leading the United Way to expand its network of individual and corporate donors.

Charlie’s has been giving back to the community since the company first turned a profit in the 1980s. Beyond United Way, Charlie’s Family of Dealerships forms strong partnerships with other area nonprofits to improve the well-being of Kennebec Valley people and the economic vitality of the region. The Shuman family estimates the business has donated more than $2 million to local charities, including the Kennebec Valley Humane Society, Augusta Food Bank, Winthrop Food Pantry, Maine Breast Cancer Coalition and numerous others. The family has also pledged a five-year commitment to support MaineGeneral Health and the hospital’s Alfond Center for Cancer Care.

For more information about Charlie’s Family of Dealerships, visit charliesmm.com. To learn more about becoming a corporate partner with United Way, visit uwkv.org or call 207-626-3400.