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Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a Pumpkin-Filled Wonderland Through November 3rd 2024

Park Place Dealerships Official Automotive Sponsor of 19th Annual Autumn at the Arboretum

The 19th annual Autumn at the Arboretum, a beloved fall tradition that transforms the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden into a pumpkin-filled wonderland, is in full swing. Park Place Dealerships is the official automotive sponsor helping bring this seasonal event to the community.

Running through November 3, guests will see more than 100,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash from Floydada, Texas—known as the pumpkin capital of Texas—and features 150,000 vibrant fall-blooming plants, creating a breathtaking seasonal display.

This year’s Autumn at the Arboretum highlights a special exhibit, “Texas Town,” which takes visitors on an immersive journey through the lives of Texas pioneers. Guests can explore six distinct pumpkin houses, each representing a unique aspect of pioneer life.

From the cozy atmosphere of a log cabin to the lively spirit of a local saloon, Texas Town offers a captivating glimpse into the history and resilience of early Texans. The exhibit also includes a pioneer farmstead, a general store, a humble sod house, and a one-room schoolhouse, each adorned with detailed historical markers to provide insights into the era’s daily life and architecture.

“Autumn at the Arboretum is one of our favorite events of the season in North Texas,” said Kara Connor, Experiential Marketing Manager at Park Place Dealerships. “This year’s ‘Texas Town’ theme adds such a rich historical dimension, allowing families to not only enjoy the beauty of the fall season but also to step back in time and experience the pioneering spirit of Texas. We’re honored to be part of this incredible celebration.”

In addition to Texas Town, visitors can admire the striking colors of autumnal flowers, including marigolds, chrysanthemums, pentas, and other seasonal blooms, which complement the warm tones of the pumpkins, creating a truly magical experience for guests of all ages.

For more information on Autumn at the Arboretum and to plan your visit, please go to www.dallasarboretum.org.

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4th Annual Season Of Giving Kicks Off Today Offering Up To A Total Of $100,000 In Grants To Nonprofits

Park Place Dealerships Opens Applications through October 25 and Invites Greater Dallas-Fort Worth Charities to Apply

For the fourth consecutive year, Park Place Dealerships is giving away a total of $100,000 in grants through its SEASON OF GIVING campaign to non-profits making a positive impact in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth community. Beginning today through October 25, eligible organizations are invited to apply at ParkPlaceCares.com. Recipients will be announced the week of November 18, 2024.

“Through the SEASON OF GIVING, we provide grants to local organizations that align with our four pillars of giving,” said Tony Carimi, Managing Director of Park Place Dealerships. “SEASON OF GIVING goes beyond providing critical funds. Our Members at Park Place are deeply involved, volunteering their time and talents year-round. It’s incredible to witness the ripple effect of their dedication, as our team’s creativity and passion help make an even larger impact across our community.”  

Non-profit organizations applying must fit the following criteria:

  • Organization must be a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
  • The charity must support one of Park Place Cares’ Pillars of Giving, which include: Education; Medical Research; Children’s Advocacy; or the Arts.
  • The charity must serve in at least one of the following counties: Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton, Ellis, Rockwall, Kaufman, Hunt, Wise or Johnson.
  • The charity cannot already have received donations or in-kind support from Park Place in 2024.
  • Charities must apply by October 25, 2024.

Under Park Place Dealerships’ philanthropic arm of Park Place Cares, SEASON OF GIVING offers local non-profits the opportunity to apply for a one-time, end of year grant. Since 2021, Park Place Dealerships has awarded a total of $300,000 to 65 charities across North Texas that are making a real difference in our communities.

“There are countless charities in our community who are doing incredible work, yet lack the necessary resources to make a bigger impact,” said Kara Connor, Park Place Dealership’s Experiential Marketing Manager. “Through SEASON OF GIVING, we have discovered nonprofits of all sizes making a meaningful difference in North Texas. We want non-profits to know we see you and will continue to do what we can to amplify your incredible work.”

Eighteen North Texas non-profits received a 2023 Season of Giving grant from Park Place Dealerships out of more than 400 applications. One of the non-profits included the Apollo Support & Rescue in Justin, Texas. When the Park Place Lexus Grapevine general manager Charles Owen and Members of his team arrived at the no-kill animal shelter last year to present a grant, they encountered Zeke, a five-year old Bernese Mountain dog. The owner had just arrived to surrender the sweet dog. Charles ended up adopting Zeke, and Apollo received their grant!

Park Place goes above and beyond with the Season of Giving grant recipients by looking for additional opportunities to support the non-profits with Members volunteering throughout the year. The Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas sends care packages to U.S. military troops serving abroad. Park Place provided a 2023 grant to support their mission and in early 2024 Park Place Members spent the day packing basic toiletries, socks, snacks, candy, and letters for American soldiers.

“We have built strong relationships with many incredible non-profits that continue to make an impact on the world,” said Connor. “We are really excited to meet this year’s SEASON OF GIVING recipients and explore how we can collaborate to help them achieve their goals moving forward.”

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Park Place Dealerships Presents the BOO Yard Sign Challenge to Benefit Children’s Health

Make this Halloween Spook-tacular While Supporting a Great Cause!

Park Place Dealerships is thrilled to announce the BOO Yard Sign Challenge, a fun and festive way for North Texas families to celebrate Halloween while supporting pediatric patients at Children’s Health. This community-driven initiative, hosted by the Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center, encourages the community to “BOO” their friends and neighbors by secretly leaving BOO signs in their yards and Halloween treats at their doorsteps while raising funds for Children’s Health patients.

The challenge runs through Oct. 31, 2024. Participants can purchase a BOO yard sign for $25 at childrens.com/boo, and 100% of the proceeds will go directly to Children’s Health to support their mission to make life better for children. Participation is easy and fun, and includes the following activities:

  • Purchasing a BOO Yard Sign – Signs are available for purchase online at childrens.com/boo for $25 each.
  • Pick Up Your Sign – Choose your closest neighborhood pickup location in Dallas or Plano at Park Place Porsche, Park Place Motorcars Dallas or Park Place Lexus Plano, during checkout by searching your home, work, or school zip code. Signs are available now for pickup.
  • BOO Your Neighbors – Place the BOO yard sign in your neighbor’s yard and leave Halloween goodies at their doorsteps without them seeing you! Each sign comes with instructions on how recipients can join the challenge and keep the spooky spirit alive throughout the neighborhood.

“Our goal is to spread joy throughout the community by placing a BOO sign on every lawn in North Texas while supporting patients at Children’s Health this Halloween,” said Kara Connor, Experiential Marketing Manager of Park Place Dealerships. “This initiative is an exciting way to engage with neighbors and rally around Children’s Health in their mission to provide quality medical care to children in our community who need it most.”

Make this Halloween a memorable one for your community and help bring smiles to the faces of young patients at Children’s Health. For more information or to purchase your BOO yard sign, visit childrens.com/boo.

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Park Place Dealerships Lends a Helping Hand for Back-to-School Efforts Across North Texas

Park Place Dealerships continues its long-standing commitment to community support by partnering with several local organizations for a series of back-to-school initiatives. These efforts include volunteering at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County’s Back to School Fair, along with school supply drives benefitting students in Dallas, Arlington, and Fort Worth.

Park Place team members volunteered at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County’s Back to School Fair. The event provided backpacks and essential school supplies to children in need, ensuring they are prepared for the upcoming school year. Park Place members worked directly with families, distributing supplies and sharing in the excitement of helping children start their school year with confidence.

In addition to volunteering, Park Place Dealerships has organized multiple school supply drives across its North Texas locations:

  • Park Place Motorcars Dallas and Porsche Dallas partnered with For Oak Cliff, an organization focused on enhancing opportunities in South Dallas, to collect school supplies for students in the community.
  • Park Place Motorcars Arlington supported Pearcy STEM Academy and the Boys & Girls Club of Arlington through a school supply drive, aiming to provide these young scholars with the tools they need to thrive.
  • Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth collected supplies for The Welman Project, which helps redirect surplus materials from businesses to schools and nonprofits, ensuring under-resourced classrooms are well-equipped.

“Our commitment to education and the next generation is at the core of our community engagement,” said Kara Connor, Experiential Marketing Manager of Park Place Dealerships. “By supporting local schools and organizations through these supply drives, we aim to ensure that every child starts the school year with the resources they need to succeed.”

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. 

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Catch Up & Read Teamed Up With Park Place Dealerships For Reading Rallies In 18 Dallas ISD Schools

As the end of the school year approached, Catch Up & Read, a Dallas-based nonprofit,sought assistance in preparing for the end-of-year awards program at 18 Dallas ISD schools. During National Volunteer Month in April, members of Park Place Dealerships joined forces with Catch Up & Read for Reading Rallies to celebrate students’ success this year. They helped the nonprofit by preparing packets and awards for the year-end celebrations at these 18 schools, as well as organizing the library and reading to children.

Catch Up & Read is the only reading intervention program in North Texas that works to close the literacy gap by analyzing data, assessing student performance, leveraging technology resources, and enhancing educator preparedness through proven practices in both English and Spanish. This nonprofit equips children in underserved communities to read at grade level by 3rd grade, with the long-term goal of helping students graduate from high school and break the generational cycle of poverty.

Park Place Dealerships was featured on “Wake Up to Something Good” with Laura Harris on NBC 5, highlighting the impact Park Place volunteers had with more than 750 students and 150 specially trained teachers. The story is linked here: Local car dealerships do something good for childhood literacy

“By introducing organizations like Catch Up & Read to our members, we aim to see if it is something they are passionate about so they can give their time and energy. We can also support with funds,” said Kara Connor, Experiential Marketing Manager at Park Place Dealerships.

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Land Rover, Acura, and Sprinter Vans. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Plano and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com.


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Thousands of North Texas Moms Get Gift Ahead of Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 12 and today expectant mothers across North Texas received a special gift. Volunteers from Park Place Dealerships joined forces with the non-profit, The Vitamin Bridge in Coppell to deliver prenatal vitamins for moms-to-be with limited access to resources.

Becoming a mom is one of life’s greatest adventures, but it also comes with a lot of unknowns, especially during pregnancy. Before becoming pregnant and in the first few months of pregnancy, taking a prenatal vitamin daily that contains the right amount of folic acid, iron and calcium can reduce the risk of preterm births, low birth weights, and birth defects. The gift of prenatal vitamins helps reduce the stress for expecting moms.

The Vitamin Bridge received a grant in 2023 from Park Place Dealership’s Season of Giving campaign. Since then, Park Place has expanded its partnership with The Vitamin Bridge and today provided SUVs and volunteers to deliver 10,000 bottles of prenatal vitamins to 19 different locations throughout DFW. The parade of vehicles departed from the nonprofit’s Coppell headquarters to deliver one million doses of vitamins. 

A survey by The Harris Poll found that 43 percent of women who have been or are currently pregnant reported that the cost of vitamins affected when and whether they sought prenatal care for their pregnancy.

The Vitamin Bridge’s prenatal vitamin donation program began in September 2019. The singular focus of the organization is to provide underserved moms access to prenatal vitamins that will impact thousands of babies.

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Acura, and Sprinter Vans. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Plano and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com.

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Bonton Farms in South Dallas is Beneficiary of National Volunteer Month

April is National Volunteer Month and Bonton Farms in South Dallas was the beneficiary of volunteers from Park Place Dealerships helping with maintenance today. Volunteers assisted with trimming overgrown bushes and weeds, mulching, as well as installing and staining fence panels.

The urban farm in the small South Dallas neighborhood is important to the community which is considered a food desert. More than 48% percent of residents are living in poverty and there is a significant need to have access to healthy food options. Bonton Farms has been transformed from a small garden into two fully functioning farms, a Farmer’s Market, and a Café. 

Park Place Dealerships chose Bonton Farms as one of 17 nonprofits in DFW to volunteer with this week during National Volunteer Month. 

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Acura, and Sprinter Vans. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Plano and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com.

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Dallas Residents Find Best Viewing Sites For Total Solar Eclipse Atop Of Parking Garage

People stopped to view the Total Solar Eclipse from areas with unobstructed views across North Texas on Monday. Nearly 70 people gathered on top of the parking garage at Park Place Porsche near Love Field to watch the moon pass between the sun and Earth. Guests had the perfect view of the eclipse as the sky darkened. There were ooooh and awwwws as guests looked up to see this astronomical wonder.

Before the eclipse made its debut, guests received Porsche ballcaps, SunChips, Moon Pies, Eclipse gum, and ice-cold drinks.

Park Place Porsche is located at 6107 Lemmon Avenue in Dallas.

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Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Acura, and Sprinter Vans. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Plano and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com.

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Love at First Sight

It was love at first sight. Their eyes locked together.  “I didn’t go looking to adopt another dog,” said Park Place Lexus Grapevine’s GM Charles Owen. “But seeing how sweet Zeke was just made me want him!” 

A team from Park Place Dealerships recently visited the Apollo Support & Rescue in Justin to present the no-kill animal shelter with a Season of Giving grant.

While there, a man pulled up to surrender a 5-year-old Bernese Mountain dog.

“Unfortunately, this is not at all uncommon,” explained Danielle Stewart, Apollo Support & Rescue founder. “Many days we arrive to find abandoned animals tied to our fence. It’s really heartbreaking.”

A week later the Owen family went back to Apollo to adopt Zeke. Charles’ wife April had reservations at first. They already had Cona, a one-year-old black Labrador. And everyone knows how puppies can be a handful. But Zeke won April over, too.

“April has become the Dog Mom! Zeke helped with Cona’s puppy phase. And Zeke needed someone like April, who would give him around the clock love. Those two are something special. He doesn’t take his eyes off her.”

Charles says Zeke is the biggest lap dog ever! “He has to be right next to you and touching you at all times. He likes to play and run with Cona, but is also content laying on the couch right next to you. The way he looks at you is the sweetest thing it’s almost like he is smiling.”

Park Place Cares delivered $100,000 in grants to a total of 18 non-profits across DFW.

The non-profits included: Sixty & Better in Arlington; Academy 4 (Ft. Worth); Primo’s (Dallas); Vogel (Dallas); Mammogram Poster Girls (Dallas); Hope Center 4 Autism (Ft. Worth); Evan’s Avengers (Denton); Annie’s Place (Dallas); Camp Summit (Dallas); The Vitamin Bridge (Coppell); Carry the Load (Dallas); Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas (Farmers Branch); Canine Companions (Irving); Community Caring Center (Azle); Heroes For Children (Plano); Children’s Advocacy Center for North Texas (Lewisville) and Ability Connection (Irving). 

“I know it was a hard decision for Zeke’s previous owners to take him to Apollo,” said Charles. “I hope they know Zeke found his forever home and gets all the love and attention he wants!”

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. 

Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates eight full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Acura, and Land Rover. Park Place Bodywerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth and Dallas, and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com.

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Black Heart Association Offering Free Screenings In Arlington And Grapevine During American Heart Month

The Black Heart Association will host free heart health screenings to the community during February’s Heart Month in Arlington and Grapevine.  

On Thursday, February 8,the Black Heart Mobile Unit will be at Park Place Lexus Grapevine located at 901 E. State Hwy 114 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and on Thursday, February 29 and Park Place Motorcars Arlington, 4201 Beltway Place from 10 a.m. –2 p.m.No appointment is needed for the screenings and is open to the public.

After suffering three heart attacks in one week, Tara Robinson, along with her husband Frederick, founded Black Heart Association in 2014 to fight for the thousands of minority men, women and children who experience the impact of heart disease or stroke each year.

In 2022, Park Place Cares, the philanthropic arm of Park Place Dealerships, recognized the work of Black Heart Association with a $5,000 Season of Giving grant to provide heart health education and screenings through its Mobile Heart Health Unit to patients who are primarily uninsured. Upon learning the organization also had maintenance needs for the Black Heart Mobile Unit, Park Place Dealerships has been providing experienced technicians to assist with keeping the mobile unit on the road serving the community.

“This is a wonderful nonprofit that provides an incredible service at no expense to the community,” said Kara Connor, Park Place Dealership’s Experiential Marketing Manager. “We are continuing our partnership with Black Heart Association by hosting the mobile unit at two of our dealerships so the community has access to free heart health screenings along with telehealth services. We hope the community will utilize this opportunity in the location that is convenient to them.”

Through Park Place Cares, the automotive company has donated $300,000 in grants during the Season of Giving program over the past three years to 65 nonprofits and finds opportunities for Park Place Members to volunteer throughout the year with the grant recipients.

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. 

Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates eight full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Acura, and Land Rover. Park Place Bodywerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth and Dallas, and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com.