Over 30 years ago our first dealership opened on Oak Lawn Avenue in Dallas and as the organization grew, so did the connection to the community in which it lived, and as a result, Park Place Dealerships also expanded their dedicated time and resources for the continuous betterment of their neighbors.  Now, our approach to outreach remains simple through #ParkPlaceCares, an initiative that highlights our commitment to show support for the communities that support you. It’s resulted in over 300 plus organizations supported each year with time, money, and in-kind donations.

#ParkPlaceCares

We are so grateful for the surrounding communities that we’ve been grounded in since our first Mercedes-Benz Dealership in the heart of Dallas, and we take pride in supporting these areas of the metroplex in which Park Place conducts business and where our members live and thrive. Our mission is driven even further when we can work hand-in-hand with local partners to drive action and impact far past a singular donation, event, or vehicle use.

The Park Place Cares efforts are grounded in our Four Pillars of Giving: arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education through grants, in-kind donations, event sponsorships (and more).  And when the summer months roll around, our community team gets extra giddy knowing that we have the opportunity to give back to the people in charge of educating the future of Dallas-Fort Worth. 

A Kick-Off To Summer: Teacher of the Year

Over the years, Park Place has expanded their Teacher of the Year celebrations to support the exceptional teachers of the Carroll, Allen, Grapevine-Colleyville, Plano, Northwest, Prosper, Fort-Worth, Mansfield, and Arlington school districts. The winners are given the opportunity to drive in-style for a summer, a small reward for the years of dedication and passionate service to our community’s families. 

In 2012, Matt Woolsey spoke at the Teacher of the Year award ceremony, commenting on his close connection (and now Park Place’s tight-knit relationship) to Carroll ISD and the annual Teacher of the Year program itself:

“I looked around the room and saw a few of my son’s teachers, several current teachers that are Park Place clients, my former principal Mr. Willingham, Mr. Lowery (former superintendent), and my fourth grade teacher Mrs. Anders.  I let them know how proud I was to be a Dragon, how proud I was to be the parent of a couple of Dragons….”

These words ring clearly today as the tradition of educational giving continues, and our 2019 Teacher of the Year winners are enjoying their summers in a Lexus or Mercedes.

In August 2017, Park Place Motorcars Arlington proudly kicked off a new exclusive partnership with Mansfield ISD, gifting two deserving teachers with the opportunity to sport a luxury vehicle for an entire year.  Anam Ali spoke to our Education Support in Arlington saying:  

“When we opened the dealership in Arlington, it was clear that we had to extend our support to the surrounding community that welcomed us so warmly back in 2015. We are elated to begin a new partnership with Mansfield ISD as they embark on a new school year, and we are eager to see what we can accomplish together.”

Later in 2019, we expanded our reach to include Arlington ISD and thanks to client and My Place star Dr. Nathanial Hearne, we continue to spread our support in the Arlington area.  Dr. Nate Hearne shared his My Place Moment with us earlier this year, which began when he coached Tony Carimi, an executive at Park Place Dealerships, in basketball as a young athlete.

With a foundation of trust already built between Tony and Dr. Hearne, there was only one place that could help Dr. Hearne surprise his wife with a new car, and that was Park Place.

Now, Tony and Dr. Hearne’s story has led to an increased presence for educational support in the Arlington School District, with $10,000 being donated to the Education Foundation since our dealership’s opening.

Education Application Opportunities: Summer Internships

While our educational support has evolved, Park Place’s focus on educating our up-and-comers is revitalized through an extensive dealer-wide internship program that continues to offer professional learning opportunities for 25-35 interns each year.  Providing not just verbal and monetary support, but ample application-based learning opportunities is part of Park Place’s commitment to sharing our knowledge and making a difference in the surrounding communities.

This year, they are participating in a revamped program that allows each intern the opportunity to experience dealership life and corporate opportunities with a rotating schedule. It’s integral that we do our part to not just support our educators, but continue to do our part to prepare the next generation of automotive leaders.

Recap: A Summer of Giving

All of this said, the summer months are some of our absolute favorites. It’s Park Place’s opportunity to show our support for those that impact our communities the most, and hear the stories of excitement and shock as some of the most deserving people in the metroplex are presented with a new car for the summer, funds are donated to an education foundation for future classroom grants, or when we get to share a little of what we do with the future of the automotive industry. Park Place Cares, and we can’t wait to see what the future years hold as we continue to support Education in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area.

Follow @parkplacetexas and #parkplacecares to stay up to date on our community outreach and partnerships.

Imagine driving down the freeway with the top-down, feeling the shift in the wind against your skin and seamlessly embracing each and every curve on the open road. Is there anything that beats this type of driving experience on a sunny day? Not at all, but with the summer sun comes some serious risk for drivers and passengers without proper sun protection.

Park Place works with our community of local business to enhance our client experience, and provide clients with exclusive offers to enjoy because we simply appreciate that you chose Park Place as Your Place. TropicSport, a Park Place Preferred Partner, gives us the scoop on some best practices to protect your skin and the environment so your car’s top can stay down all summer long. Tropicsport is kindly offering 20% off an online order  with the code PARKPLACE20%

UVA vs UVB:  What’s the Difference?

There are 2 types of harmful UV rays from the sun:  UVA and UVB.  UVA (think A for Aging) rays have a longer wavelength and cause more long-term effects such as wrinkling and aging of the skin – and of far greater concern – skin cancer.   UVA rays are year round, they are not temperature dependent or even impacted by weather as 80% penetrates the fog and clouds.  UVB (think B for Burning) rays have a shorter wavelength and are the ones that cause sunburn and skin cancer.

Don’t the Windows Protect me from UV Rays?

While car windshields typically block out UVB rays, studies show that they only partially block UVA rays.  Side and back are not regulated and let these rays in. 

A study in the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology revealed that nearly 53% of skin cancers in the US occur on the left, or driver’s side of the body.  UV exposure is 5 times greater on the left arm and 20 times greater on the left side of the face!  This left-side sun exposure triggers sun damage, which can cause wrinkles, skin leathering, sagging and brown ‘age’ spots.  The more time you spend driving, the higher the risk of skin damage.  Research shows that all types of skin cancers are more common on the left side of the body. Add the right side and the top of your head, and sure, the breeze feels great but you may not realize just how strong the sun is.

Do not fret, your top-down luxury cars are still perfect for the summer. We just recommend taking some of the pointers below into account, so you and your luxury auto can enjoy the sun all summer long: 

1. Wear an SPF 30 Broad Spectrum Sunscreen which protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

• Apply sunscreen before getting into the car to your face, ears, arms, neck, scalp & hair part. 

2.  Wear SPF 30 Lipblam and Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours.

3. Wear a hat, preferably a wide brim, and Sunglasses with UVA and UVB filters to protect your eyes from cataracts and delicate skin around your eyes. 

• Pro-Tip: long sleeves are a great option to protect your arms.

4. Consider closing your convertible roof between the peak sun hours of 10 am to 2 pm to avoid a major, direct sun hit.

So now you know how to protect yourself, but what will you choose to arm yourself with against the sun? We would highly recommend TropicSport sunscreen because it’s Born from Nature.  It is a natural mineral sunscreen with non-nano titanium dioxide and zinc oxide and lacks ingredients that are hard to pronounce. TropicSport is free of toxic chemicals like oxybenzone and avobenzone. 

Remember, an ounce of prevention – or sunscreen, in this case – is worth a pound of cure! TropicSport is offering Park Place Clients 20% off with the code PARKPLACE20% at www.TropicSport.com

TropicSport is one of our newest preferred partners, so as a Park Place client we encourage you to visit them and take advantage of their exclusive offer of 20% using the code PARKPLACE20%

Click to view more about the Park Place Preferred Benefits Program

Moms have always held a special place in our hearts, long before a date was designated in their honor. Ancient Greeks and Romans held festivals to honor maternal goddesses. Early Christians began their own tradition of honoring the Virgin Mary, Mother of Christ, during Lent season.  Lilium Floral Design, a Park Place Preferred Partner, and our clients’ go-to custom floral designer shares the history of Mothers Day as it is associated with the gift of giving floral bouquets. 

In the 17th century, England expanded this practice to include all mothers, calling it Mothering Sunday. Following a special prayer service, children would bring gifts and flowers to pay tribute to their own mothers.

Today’s moms can thank Julia Ward Howe for visualizing Mother’s Day as we know it in the United States. In the late 1800s, Howe, an abolitionist, suffragette and writer famous for penning the Battle Hymn of the Republic, suggested a national celebration of mothers that would be dedicated to peace. She encouraged women to rise up against war in her Mothers Day Proclamation and initiated Mothers’ Peace Day. It was Anna Jarvis, however, who took the concept to the next level. Jarvis, who had no children of her own but wanted to honor her own mother, lobbied for Mother’s Day to be named an official holiday. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a Joint Resolution designating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.

Today, Mother’s Day is celebrated in 46 countries. While many have their own unique traditions, it customary to honor mothers with flowers, cards, gifts and family meals. In Australia, carnations are worn–red or pink carnations honor a mom still living, and white is worn in memory of a mom who is deceased. Chrysanthemums are also a popular choice because Australian mothers are typically called “Mum.” Japanese children present their mothers with red carnations, which represent gentle strength. Here in the U.S., we tend to select flowers we know are mom’s favorites. The Spring season offers many blooms, including roses, tulips, hydrangea, hyacinths, lilies, and orchids.

While Lilium is a custom florist, Mother’s Day is one occasion when we do design a menu from which customers can order. This ensures we have an ample supply of fresh Spring florals to meet the high demand of this special day. To view our 2018 Mother’s Day designs, visit our website. Orders may be placed online, or by calling 817-481-1565.

Lilim Florals is one of our newest preferred partners, so as a Park Place client we encourage you to visit them and take advantage of some exclusive offers and opportunities.

Click to view more about the Park Place Preferred Benefits Program