Park Place Motorcars Arlington Celebrates 5 Year Anniversary by Donating $10,000 to Five Non-Profit Organizations

Five local organizations were recognized for their efforts in the community amid difficult conditions this year. Park Place Motorcars Arlington chose the nonprofits based on their commitment to education, children, and health.

Five non-profits were chosen in celebration of Park Place Motorcars Arlington’s five-year anniversary. The dealership donated a total of $10,000 to the following organizations:

    • Mansfield Education Foundation
    • Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation
    • Boys & Girls Clubof Arlington
    • Arlington Education Foundation
    • Texas Health Arlington Memorial 

“It is a privilege to serve Arlington, Mansfield, and the surrounding area,” said Malcolm Gage, General Manager of Park Place Motorcars Arlington. “As we celebrate five years in Arlington, Park Place continues to reinforce the importance of giving back in the community where our members live and work.”

The Park Place Cares program supports more than 300 organizations around the Dallas-Fort Worth area throughout the year. Park Place’s members are further challenged to volunteer their time and resources to serve local communities.

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987. For the past 33 years, the company 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, Jaguar, and Land Rover. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

 Park Place Porsche Dallas Taycan Ride & Drive Benefiting Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center

   

It was probably one of the quietest Porsche test drives in recorded history. When you press the ‘start’ button on the all-electric Porsche Taycan, there’s no rumble… not even a purr. But don’t let the absence of engine noise or the lack of fossil fuels emissions fool you. Once the accelerator is depressed, the stylish sedan effortlessly rockets from 0-to-60 in less than three seconds. And it does so with the smooth handling that only pure Porsche DNA can provide. Don’t worry. Porsche offers an option for a simulated, electronic engine sound for fans of the rumble and roar.

Park Place Porsche Dallas recently held a day-long Porsche Taycan test drive event to benefit the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center. For each Taycan test drive, Park Place donated $100 to DCAC to help improve the lives of abused children in Dallas County and to provide national leadership on child abuse issues. More than 28,000 cases of child abuse were reported last year in Dallas County. 

Guests enjoyed freshly grilled bites and refreshing, alcohol-free mocktails, courtesy of the culinary team from the Thompson Dallas Hotel. Located on North Akard Street at the heart of downtown Dallas, the new 51-story tower is set to debut in November 2020. 

Boasting 750 horsepower, the 2020 Porsche Taycan (aptly rhymes with icon) is a four-door sedan that accelerates faster than a skydiver in free fall and can partially recharge for 62 miles of range in just over five minutes. While it can take tight curves like a sports car, it also offers the smooth ride of a luxury sedan. 

The Taycan can go approximately 200 miles on a full charge. Owners can charge it overnight from the comfort of their home, or at one of more than 400 Electrify America charging stations across the U.S.  With apps and services on their smart phone, drivers can control the charging process, check the charging status, or bring the cabin of their Porsche to a comfortable temperature, all from the comfort of their home or office.

Over the past 33 years, Park Place has supported hundreds of non-profits through grants, in-kind donations, event sponsorships, and unique experiences across Dallas/Fort Worth. Through Park Place Cares, the luxury automotive group supports philanthropic efforts in the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education.  Among the community service projects in which Park Place members are currently engaged, hundreds of members are volunteering their time and talents to build a home with Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity in a low-income neighborhood.

DCAC is the only agency of its kind in Dallas County, working in agreement with public and private agencies to investigate, prosecute, and provide healing services for child abuse cases in Dallas County. The agency reduces the re-victimization of the child, removes barriers to investigation and treatment, and enhances criminal prosecution with a distinctive multidisciplinary and united approach to these complex and severe cases. More info is available at dcac.org.

Park Place Dealerships Teams Up with After School All-Stars on Dallas ISD Drive-Thru School Supply Delivery

Back to School is an exciting time for students. But the 2020-21 school year is especially fraught with uncertainty. Many parents in Dallas County are struggling financially from the economic impact brought on by the COVID-19 outbreak. Regardless of whether students return to the classroom or are learning online, the purchase of school supplies adds to the stress.

Park Place Dealerships teamed up with the After-School All-Stars (ASAS) to provide 140 students in Dallas ISD and a local charter school with free backpacks filled with supplies for the upcoming school year. The event, held at Hector P. Garcia Middle School in Oak Cliff, was a cross between a Pep Rally and the Student Drop-Off line. A Deejay pumped out popular tunes as cars drove through the line. Dallas ISD teachers, After School All-Star staff and Park Place members, all appropriately masked and observing social distancing guidelines, were dancing, jumping up and down, and shouting encouragement to students and parents as they passed through, then handing them stuffed backpacks through the open car windows.

“The energy was electric,” said Anam Ali Hashambhai, Park Place Dealerships Experiential Marketing Manager. “It was fun to see the kids’ faces light up when we handed them their own backpack. The parents and guardians were also very grateful. Honestly, I think we got more out of it than the kids! It’s humbling and very rewarding to serve our community.”

Each backpack contained a $10 Chick Fil-A gift card; HotBoyz masks donated by Dallas Cowboys player Demarcus Lawrence; an inspirational book: “The Playbook: 52 Rules to Aim, Shoot, and Score in This Game Called Life” by Kwame Alexander; a bookmark; spiral notebooks; loose leaf paper; a pencil pouch; pencils; pencil sharpener; markers; ruler; glue stick; colored pencils; folders; lanyards, USB drive; composition books; highlighters; pens; dry erase markers; and a stress ball.

Over the past 33 years, Park Place has supported hundreds of non-profits through grants, in-kind donations, event sponsorships, and unique experiences across Dallas/Fort Worth. Through Park Place Cares, the luxury automotive group supports philanthropic efforts in the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. 

ASAS is one of the largest free school-based out-of-school time program providers in the country and currently offers programming to more than 850 students per year in six high-needs schools across Dallas County. ASAS North Texas serves schools in low-income neighborhoods in an effort to serve the students most in need. 97% of the students identify as black, indigenous, or youth of color and 88% are considered economically disadvantaged.

For more information about ASAS, visit them at afterschoolallstars.org.

Teacher Appreciation is Personal at Park Place

It’s a small world, after all.

 


Connectivity between people pops up in the most unlikely places. Like on the service drive at Park Place Lexus Plano. That’s where two fellow team members, who didn’t know each other from Adam, first discovered that they shared a surprisingly meaningful connection- and no, it wasn’t that they both worked at Park Place.

It All Started with a Vowel (read more to see “Y”)

 

One sunny morning back in 2013, Brandon Gillespy, body shop manager at Park Place BodyWerks, was at the service drive at Park Place Lexus Plano, picking up a client vehicle for transport to the body shop in Dallas.

“This guy comes over to me, big smile, introduces himself and asks if I’m related to Jamie Gillespy,” Brandon recalls.

The guy was Don Mitchell, sales experience manager at Lexus Plano. The unusual spelling of Brandon’s last name, with a “y” instead of an “ie,” caught Don’s eye.

“My daughter Meredith was always raving about a wonderful teacher at Plano’s Jasper High School named Jamie Gillespy,” Don explains. “Jamie taught an elective course in ASL, or American Sign language, and Meredith absolutely adored Jamie and I remembered the unique spelling. So Brandon and I both remarked on what a small world it was.”

In most cases, a random coincidence like that results in a pleasant conversation and that’s the end of it.

But then something else happened. Two somethings, in fact.

Jamie-Mania

First, Brandon became increasingly aware that his wife was starting to enjoy a kind of Jamie-mania.

“Since that moment, it seems like anywhere we go, a store or a restaurant in Frisco or Plano, we hear someone yell, “MISS G!” And then a former student runs across the room to give my wife a giant hug. Don’s story first opened my eyes to this phenomenon, and since then it’s been nonstop. And a lot of fun for both of us!”


Jamie Gillespy, ASL teacher at Frisco Centennial High School with husband, Brandon Gillespy, Body Shop Manager at Park Place BodyWerks

Second, Jamie’s impact on Meredith carried on well past the classroom into adulthood. After graduating from Plano Senior High, she went on to earn an education degree at the University of Arkansas and is, in fact, now a teacher at a Title 1 school in Springdale, Arkansas.

Don Mitchell, Sales Experience Manager at Lexus Plano with daughter and teacher Meredith.

“Meredith was already starting to show a passion for teaching, and Jamie really reinforced a lot of the values that made teaching a compelling career choice,” says Don. “My mother was a teacher, and just like Jamie, her example had life-lasting positive impacts on her students, too. Meredith is that same kind of person, that same kind of teacher.”

Don Mitchell, Sales Experience Manager at Lexus Plano with daughter and teacher Meredith.

“I felt inspired to learn how much my wife meant to Don’s daughter,” says Brandon, noting that Jamie is now the ASL teacher at Frisco Centennial High School as well as Student Council Sponsor. He’s especially proud that the school created a video about what her days are like during this time of uncertainty. Check it out.

Park Place Cares

Don and Brandon’s story alludes to just one of the reasons why Park Place has been such a passionate supporter of education over the past 30+ years. After discovering their small-world connection and shared values, these two members are even more gratified that their chosen place of work, Park Place, actively supports education as a corporate initiative, sponsoring the Teacher of the Year program in nine local school districts. The company is also active in the Plano ISD Education Foundation’s Grants to Educators program.

“I was amazed when I first learned of the connection between Don and Brandon, as well as Jamie and Meredith,” says Anam Ali-Hashambhai, Experiential Marketing Manager at Park Place.

“It really brought home to me that the Park Place commitment to education is all about connecting people, ideas, inspiration and creativity. These kinds of connections are out there, and makes our Teacher of the Year sponsorship even that more special and personal.”

Thank You, Thank You

“I was honored to attend a ‘Teacher of the Year’ event where I represented Park Place, says Don. “But I was even more honored and proud to be the parent of a teacher.”

“Showing educators that they’re valued is outstanding,” adds Brandon. “I’m really glad that Park Place is willing to show this kind of commitment. Especially since I married into a family of teachers. Jamie’s mother, aunt and grandmother are all or were teachers. It’s important that we honor teachers for the lifelong impact they have on their students.”


So has this connection also spawned a friendship between Don and Brandon?

“Oh yeah,” smiles Brandon. “We’re good pals.”

“Who do you think sold Jamie her Lexus?” teases Don.

And it all started with a “y” instead of an “ie.”

The power of vowels, indeed.

 

More Park Place #TeacherAppreciation Stories

 

 

 

 

 

Carter BloodCare and Park Place Dealerships Team Up to Potentially Save 339 Lives Through Blood Drive

Carter BloodCare says their ability to provide blood to hospitals for urgent transfusion needs of patients has been in severe jeopardy. Recently, Carter BloodCare and Park Place Dealerships came together for a blood drive that has potentially made the difference in 339 lives. 

Members from Park Place Motorcars in Arlington Participate in the #ParkPlaceCares Blood Drive

“The members at Park Place Dealerships are extremely generous with their time and resources, including their blood,” noted Dave Evans, Chief Marketing Officer for Park Place Dealerships. “We asked members if they would like to participate in this event and we had an overwhelming response. We were happy to know this event made the difference for people in need.”

Members from Park Place Motorcars in Arlington Participate in the #ParkPlaceCares Blood Drive
Members from Park Place Motorcars in Arlington Participate in the #ParkPlaceCares Blood Drive
Members from Park Place Volvo Participate in the #ParkPlaceCares Blood Drive

Park Place Dealerships hosted the blood drive over two days at seven locations with 114 donors and 113 units collected equating to about 339 lives saved. Park Place encourages more Dallas/Fort Worth companies to organize blood drives throughout the summer, especially during the period of critical need.

Park Place Porsche General Manager, Patrick Huston, leads the charge to donate blood during the #ParkPlaceCares Blood Drive
Members from Park Place in Dallas Participate in the #ParkPlaceCares Blood Drive

IMPORTANCE OF A BLOOD DRIVE

The pandemic’s impact on the blood supply has been profound and sudden. Blood drives were cancelled after businesses, school, universities and houses of worship shut down. Giving blood is essential with or without the COVID-19 pandemic.

Blood donors are the only way to provide for transfusions because blood cannot be manufactured. Since the state of Texas has reopened, hospitals are trying to resume a full capacity of medical and surgical services. Six hundred to 800 patients a day require transfusions.

SIGN-UP WITH CARTER BLOODCARE

Companies and the community can get more information or sign up to give blood at carterbloodcare.org.


Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 by Ken Schnitzer with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership in Dallas. For the past 33 years, the company has been engaged in the community supporting the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy and education. Park Place employs more than 1,500 members and operates 18 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Koenigsegg, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, Maserati and Aston Martin. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

 

 

 

Member Spotlight: Dreams Changed for Malcolm Gage as Doors Opened for New Opportunities

Malcolm Gage Enrolled in Pre-Med Courses at SMU until a Part-Time Job Led Him Down a Different Road

Malcolm R. Gage Jr., current General Manager at Park Place Motorcars Arlington, never envisioned a career in the automotive industry. In fact, he was in a Pre-Med program at Southern Methodist University in 1997 when his college roommate suggested he could get Malcolm a job at a Lewisville Ford dealership during his college break.

“My friend thought my quick wit and personality would be a good fit,” recalled Gage. “Reluctantly, I took his advice, and they hired me the same day I interviewed. I fell in love with the job, and changed my focus to a career in the automotive industry. Now, 23 years later, I know it was the right decision.”

A Journey to Automotive

In 2005, Gage joined Park Place Dealerships as New Car Sales Manager at Park Place Motorcars Bedford, which is now located in Grapevine. Gage quickly rose up the ranks at Park Place, where he spent the past five years as New Car Sales Director at the Park Place Premier Collection in Dallas, representing luxury brands Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Maserati, and McLaren. He was recently named General Manager at Park Place Motorcars Arlington.

“The automotive business is unlike any other,” said Gage. “I’ve made some amazing contacts, and it’s given me opportunities I never could’ve imagined. Having the opportunity to work in state-of-the-art facilities with world-class brands, and interacting with professionals of the highest caliber, one cannot put a value on that. I consider myself blessed to have reached this point, but I credit a lot of mentors and managers that have supported me and given me guidance to reach this point.”

Rolls-Royce Sales Manager of the Year, Coach of the Year, and SMU Alum

Some of his greatest accomplishments are being named Coach of the Year from two different Park Place dealerships, and being part of teams that were recognized as Dealerships of the Year, both nationally and internationally. Gage was also named the first-ever Rolls-Royce Sales Manager of the Year by Rolls-Royce Motorcars North America.

“As leaders of this organization, we try to predict future trends based on metrics and the past,” explained Gage. “But there are so many external factors that can affect it at any moment. Hiring and retaining the best talent is a challenge, but we pride ourselves on our industry-leading retention rates. I think the biggest challenge is probably the pressure we put on ourselves to exceed expectations.”

Gage graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Affairs and Corporate Communications, and he is still involved with the SMU Alumni Association. He is an Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Lifetime Member, and he volunteers with Equality Texas, the Human Rights Campaign, the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, and several other organizations.

“I’m involved with these organizations to give back to the Dallas/Fort Worth community that has given so much to me. Much of my success in this industry has been from networking and forming relationships with business and civic leaders in the area. I’ve always believed in dedicating time to serve others.”

Featured on the Food Network, Too!

Food Network fans may remember Malcolm Gage and Ophelia’s New Soul co-owner Cordey Lash as winners of the acclaimed TV show’s Food Court Wars. Formerly located in Plano’s Collin Creek Mall Food Court, Ophelia’s New Soul launched in 2014 and specialized in modern interpretations of classic soul food dishes served in a fast, yet relaxed, atmosphere.

“We have been approached by fans of the restaurant asking if we were going to open a new location,” Gage explains. “But I think my time in the restaurant industry has passed. We achieved great success and national recognition with Ophelia’s New Soul, and it allowed us to create a franchising plan for someone who might want to continue the brand. Who knows what the future holds? It’s still a treat to see the episode on Food Network at times.”


Park Place Motorcars Arlington is located at 4201 Beltway Place off I-20 at S. Center Street. Founded in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn in Dallas, Park Place Dealerships also represents luxury brands Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Maserati, McLaren, Koenigsegg, Lexus, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover. For more information, visit parkplace.com.

 

Park Place and Area Partners Donate Over 60,000 Meals to North Texas Food Bank

NORTH TEXAS FOOD BANK RECEIVES $21,000 DONATION TO SUPPORT FAMILY MEALS


IRVING, Texas (April 10, 2020) – The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) has seen a tremendous demand for nutritious food as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Park Place Dealerships mobilized its clients, partners and members and together raised more than $21,000 to help feed families in the community.

The Food Bank’s mobile pantry generally serves an average of 300 households. Distributions recently have surged from 1,000 to almost 2,000 households in the last few weeks because of COVID-19.

“In these challenging times we are glad to support the community and are humbled by the generosity of our clients and members,” said Dave Evans, Chief Marketing Officer of Park Place Dealerships. “Now, more than ever, we must find ways to help each other get through this unprecedented period.”

The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is a top-ranked nonprofit hunger-relief organization operating a state-of-the-art volunteer and distribution center in Plano. Last year, the Food Bank provided almost 77 million nutritious meals across a diverse 13-county service area serving more than 200,000 meals per day for hungry children, seniors, and families.

The need for hunger relief in North Texas is complex and in order to meet the need, the NTFB is working to increase food distribution efforts with a goal to provide access to 92 million nutritious meals annually by 2025.

Over the past 30 years, Park Place has helped more than 300 community organizations across North Texas. The company supports philanthropic efforts in the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. 

Founded in 1987, Park Place operates 18 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Koenigsegg, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

Member Spotlight: Lorien Lippen on Guiding Members and Clients to Extraordinary Experiences

The first thing you notice about Lorien Lippen is her extraordinary energy in her 10-million-megawatt smile, her lively banter, and the intensity of her gaze – when she focuses on you, she’s focused on YOU.


All About Foundations

She brings this engaging magic to all Park Place University programs, like “Foundations,” the weekly onboarding experience that welcomes brand-new Park Place team members. In a room full of new members, she quickly, and genuinely, puts everyone at ease. Within minutes, the once-perfect strangers are interacting cheerfully as she guides the group through the program’s various modules and activities.

All programs are created by the Organization Development team, the six-person department she leads, and align with Park Place’s culture, values, and business goals.

“Our team’s core focus is to deliver extraordinary learning experiences that make Park Place, My Place, for all members,” she explains. “We provide a deep, welcoming experience to all new members through “Foundations,” and reinforce the importance of our client experience through more specific training such as the ‘One Touch’ sales program for Sales Experience Managers, the ‘Service Experience’ for Assistant Service Managers and the ‘Valet Experience’ for Service Valets. It’s about providing the best programs to meet the members’ needs and lead to extraordinary client experiences.”

A Force of Good for Park Place

Simply put, Lorien Lippen is a force of nature. And fortunately for Park Place, she’s been our force for good since joining in July 2018. Why did she venture into this field of learning, development and coaching?

“I was often the student helping the others in my classes. Working with someone on a challenge, and then watching them find their way through it is truly rewarding,” she says.

Knowing her passion before leaving high school, she went on to receive her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Cincinnati, and went on to help others pursue their own excellence and passion with such notable companies as NBCUniversal, Creative Artists Agency, DIRECTV, American Honda Motor Company and The Walt Disney Company.

All that magic might explain her multiplicity of certifications in skill-based development programs that encompass leadership development, executive coaching, change management, performance management, succession planning, talent review, and competency modeling, just to name a few.

A Little Personal

On the personal side, she admits to being somewhat of a bookworm and devours novels like “Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt, “All the Light You Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr and “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen.

She and her husband Ryan also get a huge kick out of the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” “Endlessly funny,” she says. They pair it with her favorite comfort food – “Homemade pizza with pepperoni, black olives and mushrooms! Absolute heaven, I could eat it every day.”

A trained classical pianist, she relaxes by playing favorites – favorite composers include Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Chopin – and credits her high school music theory instructor, Mr. Lassaine, with teaching her an important life lesson she still lives by.

“I was being overly disruptive in class, and he pulled me aside to ask what was going on,” she confesses. “I began complaining about how early I had to wake up and the long commute. And he looked me in the eye and said, ‘Hey, you earned your spot, but if you don’t want it, somebody else will gladly take your place. So you need to choose if you want to be here, otherwise you’re wasting my time and yours.’”

“I was a little shocked but he was right,” she admits. “The lesson was that life is about choice, and whatever you commit to, commit fully. It was good advice then, it’s still good advice now, and I try to follow it every day.”

 

$420,000 Raised for Charity at the 21st Annual Park Place-Dallas Stars Casino Night

Nearly a thousand Dallas Stars fans turned out January 30th for the 21st Annual Park Place Dealerships – Dallas Stars Casino Night at the Comerica Center in Frisco.

The event raised more than $420,000 for the Dallas Stars Foundation, breaking last year’s fundraising record for the most money raised in a single night. 

Laughter filled the venue as fans and players bantered back and forth while playing blackjack, roulette, craps, and poker.

“I’ve attended every Stars Casino Night except one,” said 87-year-old Doris Seabolt of Carrollton, who worked as a waitress at Waffle House for 49 years.

“About 10 years ago bad weather prevented her from making it to Casino Night,” explained her daughter Deborah Dunn. “But that’s the only way she would miss it. She looks forward to this event all year. She loves talking to the players.”

A Night of Events

Fans had the opportunity to bid on a selection of autographed memorabilia, including jerseys and hockey sticks signed by current and retired athletes, as well as unique experiences. Guests enjoyed food prepared by III Forks Steakhouse and specialty drinks made with Spanish liqueur Licor 43 and Brown Sugar Bourbon.
 

“Casino Night is an exciting opportunity for fans to engage with players and coaches,” said Jordan Case, president of Park Place Dealerships (pictured far right in the photo below). “While a fun event for fans, it also helps fund youth programs in our community. Park Place has been a part of Casino Night for the past 15 years. Our brands are perfectly aligned in expecting excellence on the ice and at the dealership for our clients.”

The Dallas Stars Foundation focuses its efforts on providing support to the children in the community through youth hockey programs, youth engagement, health and education. More information is available at  www.nhl.com/stars/community

Over the past 30 years, Park Place has helped raise millions of dollars in for  more than 300 community organizations across North Texas. Last year, the luxury automotive group introduced Park Place Cares to represent their philanthropic efforts in the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. 

Click here to see the full event album on our Facebook Page.


Founded in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn, Park Place operates 17 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

 

 

Park Your Books at Park Place Lexus

Grapevine and Plano Lexus dealerships hosting a children’s book drive
benefiting Reading Partners North Texas


Park Place Lexus dealerships in Grapevine and Plano are hosting a book drive starting February 17 through March 2 to collect children’s books to benefit Reading Partners North Texas.

Drop off new and gently used children’s books for ages newborn-to-seven years old February 17 – March 2 anytime between 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday – Friday or 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday at the Park Place Lexus dealerships in Grapevine or Plano.  Then, help spread the word by using the hashtags #LexusBookDrive and #ParkPlaceCares on social media.

Why Books?

A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics established that reading to children of any age awakens regions in their brain responsible for grasping words and key concepts tied to memory, which directly affects their trajectory for lifetime learning. Unfortunately, nearly 40% of children arrive at kindergarten without these basic skills. Consequently, children who start behind usually stay behind, leading to an increase in the dropout rate, especially among low-income students. 

“There are a surprising number of families who don’t have a single children’s book in their home,” said Anam Ali, Experiential Marketing Manager at Park Place Dealerships. “For the two weeks leading up to Read Across America Day (March 2), we’re asking the community to help provide books for kids. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn and succeed in life.”

Why Reading Partners North Texas

Reading Partners North Texas has been a part of the Dallas educational landscape since 2012, when they launched a program at George W. Truett Elementary School and Roger Q. Mills Elementary School serving 80 students. Since then, they’ve placed thousands of community volunteers in low-income schools to help kids master basic reading skills. Their one-on-one tutoring empowers students to succeed in reading and in life by engaging community volunteers to provide individualized, personal attention to each student in the program.

Where to Park Your Books

Park Place Lexus Grapevine is located on the northwest corner of State Highway 114 at Minters Chapel Road (901 E. Highway 114) near DFW Airport.  Park Place Lexus Plano is located at 6785 Dallas Parkway, on the southwest corner of Spring Creek Parkway and the Dallas North Tollway.

Over the past 30 years, Park Place has helped raise millions of dollars for more than 300 community organizations across North Texas. Last year, the luxury automotive group introduced Park Place Cares to represent their philanthropic efforts in the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. 


Founded in 1987, Park Place operates 18 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Karma, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com.