Naples Nissan driven to help charity with new partnership

NORTH NAPLES, Fla.- Starting on Wednesday, Naples Nissan will donate money from the sales of its cars to help thousands of people through St. Matthew’s House.

The idea came to Naples Nissan Managing Partner, Aaron Walker during a recent visit to the St. Matthew’s House thrift store.

“I was blown away and I got chills from it,” said Walker.

St. Matthew’s House helps people who face chronic problems including poverty, homelessness, drug addiction and lack of education. They hold cold-weather shelters and last year, they served 441,000 hot meals.

As a partner, Naples Nissan will donate $200 from every vehicle they sell and $20 from every test drive, enough to feed a family of four for several days.

“It’s a little bit for us to give back to them. You test drive a car and we feed a family of four for two days. You buy a car we feed a family of four for 10 days. Where else can u get that?” said Naples Nissan General Sales Manager, James Pool.

The dealership is also donating a cafe in the showroom for the charity to run. St. Matthew’s House is known for its culinary and catering division. All the proceeds go to the charity.

“Sandwiches, salads, Starbucks coffee, that’s probably worth coming by right there isn’t it? Plus, you have your oil changed,” said Walker.

The partnership between Naples Nissan and St. Matthew’s House is expected to generate nearly $400,000 by the end of 2016.