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The Eau Claire County Humane Association serves as an advocating human voice for the animals who cannot speak for themselves. They are driven with the passion to help homeless furry friends find their forever home and serve each one that enters their doors. Jessica Stewart, Development Director, says that ECCHA is a non-profit organization that does not receive any additional government funding or money from other animal welfare organizations, they rely solely on donations from community members. The $10,000 donation from Markquart Gives Back 2018 will be used to provide food, shelter, medical care and companionship to the abandoned animals that the organization is caring for. Stewart told us that, on average, it costs $15 per day per animal to give these resources. Additionally, they offer a Pet Pantry that is open to the public for pet owners that need assistance providing food and other supplies. Thank you to everyone who voted during Markquart Gives Back 2018. We are so excited and overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and response of the community. Stay tuned in next holiday season for Markquart Gives Back 2019! Visit ECCHA's Website

Markquart dealerships are excited to announce the launch of Markquart Gives Back 2018, but this year we are changing things up a bit! We want your, the community’s, help with picking five local organizations to each receive $10,000. From November 12, 2018 until December 14, 2018 we ask you to vote for your favorite organization on markquartgivesback.com! We currently have 15 amazing local organizations nominated that help so many members of our community, both human and furry friend. You can view the full list of organizations here. If the organization that you would like to vote for is not listed, please feel free to nominate them based on our nomination rules found here. Voting opens on November 12 at 8:00 AM CDT and closes at 11:59 PM CDT on December 14. Every community member with a valid email address is welcome to vote. Only one vote is allowed per email address. The five organizations with the most votes will each receive $10,000. Recipients will be announced the week of December 17 via email and on the Markquart Motors and Markquart Toyota Facebook pages. You can also check back to markquartgivesback.com for more information. Thank you for assisting us in giving back to the deserving organizations that make our community the great place that it is. VOTE HERE

Markquart Toyota is excited to be collaborating with Spring Street Sports, Inc. to give away a new mountain bike to a child in the Chippewa Valley. The bike, which is a Riprock 24 by Specialized, is built for all terrains meaning that it does not just fit into one box – much like the unique individuals that join CORBA for their family-focused rides at Lowes Creek. CORBA’s goal is to bring awareness and attention to the variety of outdoor activities that are available in the Chippewa Valley. CORBA Kids is an introduction to mountain biking for kids. The best part of all is that it is completely FREE to members of our community. The program has grown exponentially in its second year and we are honored to be a part of getting our youth outdoors and active. On Sunday, August 26th CORBA will be hosting their end of the year picnic and someone will be riding away on a new mountain bike! Spring Street Sports is located in historic Chippewa Falls and has been a part of the Chippewa Valley since 1987. They sell everything from bicycles to snowboards to skis and more! If you are looking for a place to have your equipment repaired and serviced they are your place. Be sure to check out CORBA and CORBA Kids if you are looking for safe and fun activities for the kids in the summer and head to Spring Street Sports for all of your equipment needs. VISIT CORBA'S SITE

Tuesday morning Lee Markquart passed away following a battle with pancreatic cancer, at age 87.   Lee was a passionate businessman and a generous community advocate.  He believed that helping the people around him would make him more successful. Roots and Leadership Lee got his start in the auto industry at age 12 by pumping gas at his father’s gas station in Jackson, Minnesota.  In 1946, they expanded their service and started selling Hudson cars. As time went by, Lee assumed leadership of the company and helped it grow into a successful small dealership that sold all six brands of GM vehicles.  Then, in 1970, Lee was given the opportunity to buy a Pontiac Oldsmobile Cadillac dealership in a larger market. He and his wife, Mary, packed up their children and moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin.  The move paid off, as the Markquarts now have the two largest new car dealerships in Western Wisconsin. The Man, The Desk, and The Eagle Many of those who grew up in the Chippewa Valley will remember Lee’s TV commercials.   His style stood out as very different from other dealers.  He spoke less about cars and prices, and more about the importance of treating the customer well.  His radio ads often featured unusual or humorous things that happened in the news and famous quotes.  These commercials seemed to make a lasting impact which helped grow the Markquart brand into what it is today. Community Involvement Lee and his wife Mary were largely responsible for bringing the Boys and Girls Club to Eau Claire.  Over the years Lee poured his heart and soul into ensuring the Boys and Girls club would remain a place to take care of our community youth.   Lee also was involved in the Society of Founders at the Eau Claire Community Foundation and the WATDA Foundation scholarship, which distributed millions of dollars in scholarships to students pursuing careers in the automotive industry. Lee’s optimism, integrity, and passion will forever be the foundation of the Markquart companies.  We will always remember Lee and will honor his memory by continuing his legacy

The Open Door Clinic of Chippewa Falls is a non-profit organization that acts as a safety net for those who are uninsured and are in need of health care. Their mission, “to provide basic health care services and a connection to community resources to Chippewa County residents,” speaks volumes for those who have no health care alternative. Open Door Clinic provides a variety of services to Chippewa County residents at no cost to them. Services include general care, pulmonology, physical therapy, chiropractic care, diabetes education, nutritional health, and dental assistance. If the clinic doesn’t have the right resources to help the patient or if the patient doesn’t meet the clinic’s qualifications, the clinic will connect them with the resources they need. Volunteers are what keeps the clinic running, which includes everyone from nurses and doctors to IT specialists and administrators. If you’re interested in making a donation or volunteering, check out their website. OPEN DOOR CLINIC WEBSITE

The Chippewa Valley Free Clinic offers quality health care and dental care to members of our community that have no reasonable alternatives. In addition to exams and labs, they also offer mental health clinics, diabetic clinics, dental care, a vision clinic with free eye glasses, and a medication refill dispensary. All of these services are offered at no cost to the patient. “We want to take the burden off of our patients so that they don’t have to choose between putting food on the table, taking care of their family or, getting their health care needs met,” said Executive Director, Maribeth Woodford. The Clinic also assists patients with the marketplace insurance to help them become better informed about plans that are affordable to them, and assists patients in enrolling for Medicaid if they are eligible. Since all services and treatments are at no cost to the patient, the CVFC runs strictly on donations from the public. If you’d like to donate your time, your talents, money, or any supplies that they are in need of, please visit their website for more information. VISIT THEIR WEBSITE

An increasing number of children stay at home with no supervision. They are left to find their own recreation and companionship. The Boys and Girls Club offers a safe, positive, and productive place for children to go after school and during school breaks. The Boys and Girls Club empowers all young people to reach their full potential by instilling a sense of confidence and belonging. Staff and volunteers offer free tutoring and homework help, and members participate in daily activities that focus on five core areas: Character & Leadership, Education & Career, Health & Life Skills, The Arts, and Sports, Fitness, & Recreation. Since 2004, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Greater Chippewa Valley have positively impacted the lives of more than 6,000 youth. The organization has expanded from one Club in Eau Claire to locations in Chippewa Falls, Black River Falls, and Menomonie. The Eau Claire club even moved recently, opening the Mary Markquart Center on Oxford Avenue. Through the outpouring of community support, the Club has been the difference in the lives of many local youth. The community is so important to the club and without it, the Boys and Girls Club wouldn’t exist. If you’re interested in learning more, or if you would like to support the club by donating or volunteering, visit their website to learn more and make a difference in a child’s life today. VISIT THEIR WEBSITE

Markquart Gives Back is supporting local organizations who are servings those who need it most.  One of those amazing organizations is the Feed My People Food Bank.  Every day people in the Chippewa Valley go hungry. In fact, one in nine people in west-central Wisconsin are food insecure, including one in five children. And nearly 70,000 people in west-central Wisconsin rely on food from programs supplied by Feed My People. Feed My People bridges the gap between food manufacturers and hunger-relief organizations (food pantries, community meal sites, & shelter). They are equipped with a large warehouse and six refrigerated trucks, which help them distribute food to more than 120 hunger-relief organizations. They also provide weekend kids’ meals to almost 2,000 local students who may struggle with hunger when school meals are not available and assist Meals on Wheels with distributing food boxes to individuals who are homebound. Feed My People is so successful due to the kindness of the surrounding communities. Local farmers, retailers, and companies donate food and products every year, and individuals in the community help by donating their time and money. For every $1 donated they are able to provide four meals. Many of the day-to-day operations are run by volunteers. If you are interested in learning more about volunteering or donating please visit their website. FEED MY PEOPLE FOOD BANK WEBSITE

Markquart has been blessed with the support of a great community, and now we want to give back by helping organizations that serve those who need it most. So, from November 15 until Christmas, Markquart Motors and Markquart Toyota are donating $100 for every new and used vehicle we sell. We have a goal of $50,000, and the money will support the following organizations: The Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Chippewa Valley Providing a safe, positive and productive place for youth to go after school and during school breaks. Feed My People Food Bank Rescuing food before it is wasted & distributing it to people in our community who struggle with hunger. They are able to provide 4 meals with every $1 donated and are serving almost 2,000 students in the Chippewa Valley. Chippewa Valley Free Clinic & Open-Door Clinic Providing basic health services and dental care to members of our community with no reasonable health care alternative. With your help, we hope to raise over $50,000! VIEW DONATION TRACKER

Used vehicle sales manager, Terry Huppert, is celebrating 25 years with Markquart. Terry began working in 1992 at Jim Carter Auto and Truck Center in sales. That October the company was purchased by Lee Markquart and Terry traveled with the new company. He worked in sales for 4 years and then began working in finance. In 2008 Terry transferred to the new Markquart Motors location as a used sales manager and then in 2014, he began working at Markquart Toyota. His favorite part of his job is the people that he has been able to work with as customers and fellow employees. He is very passionate about learning other people’s stories because it makes every day interesting and different. Terry’s favorite Markquart memory is from back in 1994. He was greeted by a customer who just happened to be looking for another salesperson with the same name who had already left for the night. Terry worked with the customer to find them a new car and ended up making a deal. That wasn’t the only deal that was made though. He also asked her out on a date. This year they celebrated their 24 th wedding anniversary. Now that he and his wife, Krista, are empty nesters they enjoy spending time together. They are on the hunt for the best fish fry in Wisconsin. Terry spends much of his time volunteering at Chippewa Valley Bible Church where he is a deacon and at the Chippewa Falls Rotary Club. He was introduced to KUBB a few years ago and enjoys playing and coordinating tournaments in Chippewa.

On September 16th Markquart Toyota and the Keeping Kids Safe Project held a community and safety fair at the dealership in hopes of informing the Chippewa Valley community of ways to stay safe. Although the morning began with a little rain, that didn’t stop the fun and games from happening. We were joined by many organizations including the United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin, Beaver Creek Reserve, Operation Life Saver, The Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department, Chippewa Fire District and of course the Keeping Kids Safe Project, all of whom brought with activates that helped teach kids about safety. The Keeping Kids Safe Project was able to fingerprint almost 100 children at the event. Kids also enjoyed free face painting, popcorn and slushies throughout the day. The Keeping Kids Safe Project is one of the top child safety programs in the country. Their programs are designed to bring communities together and raise awareness on how to keep children safe if an emergency should ever arise. Events are always free for families thanks to the local businesses in the communities they are held in. The program offers FBI quality digital fingerprinting for families. The purpose of this is to provide parents resources to give authorities in the case of an emergency. Many children are reported missing in the US each year. Some are found within minutes or hours, but all law enforcement officials agree that time is critical in the recovery of a missing child. A major source of wasted time comes from gathering of resources like fingerprints and statistical information and photographs. At the Keeping Kids Safe Project event your family can acquire a pre-made record so that if there is ever an emergency you will already have a collection of needed resources.

*Free Digital Fingerprinting *Facepainting *Chippewa Fire District with Ambulance and Engine *Chippewa Falls Sheriff with Roll over simulator *Activities for Children *Raffle for passes to the Eau Claire Children's Museum...and more! Markquart Toyota and the Keeping Kids Safe Project invite you to a free community and safety fair on Saturday, September 16 th from 10am-4pm. This Keeping Kids Safe Project community health and safety fair will be providing FBI quality digital fingerprint records for children.  The digital scanners capture high-quality fingerprint images that are printed on a record and then provided to parents for safe-keeping.  The only record is sent directly home – no personal information is shared or kept.  In the case of an emergency, parents are able to turn this over to authorities anywhere in the world to instantly aid in the investigation, saving crucial time and resources. The Keeping Kids Safe Project is one of the top child safety programs in the country. Their programs are designed to bring communities together and raise awareness on how to keep children safe if an emergency should ever arise. Events are always free for families thanks to the local businesses in the communities they are held in. For our event in the Chippewa Valley, the Keeping Kids Safe Project is working with the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department, Operation Lifesaver and the United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley in addition to Markquart Toyota. This event is completely free to the public and will be hosted at our dealership, located conveniently between Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, just off of US 53.