Richard's "Drive for Education" Raises Thousands for CEF

A unique partnership between the Cheshire Education Foundation (CEF) and Richard Chevrolet will benefit programs for students in the Cheshire Public Schools.  

The auto dealer's “Drive for Education” campaigned earlier this year raised $8,100 that will be used by the education foundation to underwrite technology projects that are not funded in the Cheshire school system’s annual budget.

Starting on the President’s Day holiday in February, Richard Chevrolet agreed to donate $100 for every car sold or leased to Cheshire residents, or to any employee of the Cheshire Public Schools regardless of where they reside.  When the Drive for Education ended August 15, the total had reached 81 cars.

“The majority of people who came into our showroom said the Drive for Education was a positive,” said Richard Chevrolet general manager Jason Vianese.  “They were impressed that we were giving money to our public schools in Cheshire at a time when state funding for education has been tightened or reduced.”  

CEF president Jane Leukart thanked Richard Chevrolet for their role in helping education in Cheshire, where the automobile retailer has been based for the past 38 years.  

“Hopefully this will become a template for us to partner with local businesses,” she said.  “As they profit, so will the children in Cheshire schools.”

Jason Vianese said that during the same period of time in 2012, Richard sold or leased 55 cars to Cheshire residents and school district employees.  He credited this year’s gains to a stronger economy, and the Drive for Education was also a factor.

The Cheshire Education Foundation has been raising private money since 1995 to enhance the public school system.  Donations from CEF have equipped classrooms with Smartboards, computers, and science technology.  The foundation also funds special educational projects and presentations through a series of “mini-grants,” and each year it administers scholarships totaling over $20 thousand.