For more information:

Ron Cridlebaugh

Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce Director

509-925-2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

University Auto Center Donates New Car to Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce
Donation Will Help Save Chamber Money

Ellensburg, Wash. (June 26, 2007) - University Auto Center, a long-time Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce member, recently donated a vehicle to the chamber in an effort to reduce wear and tear on chamber employees' vehicles and mileage reimbursements.

"We've been a chamber member since 1930, and we think the chamber does a lot for the community," said UAC co-owner, Jeff Faltus. "We wanted to donate a car, so that employees don't have to drive their cars everywhere."

Chamber Director Ron Cridlebaugh said employees at the office have driven their own vehicles for business use on a nearly daily basis. The chamber gave out gas reimbursements, but with the high cost of gas, it was becoming a big expense. The wear and tear on employees' vehicles was also a concern, he said.

"Chamber employees are putting several thousand miles a year on their cars," Cridlebaugh said. "They use them to go to functions, out-of-town events, to run errands and deliver chamber materials to locations throughout the county."

After UAC offered the 2005 Cadillac STS, Cridlebaugh and Executive Assistant, Leslie Berry, researched how much it would cost to insure and fuel the Cadillac. They discovered the chamber would save a few hundred dollars a year by using the car. UAC will cover all maintenance costs, Cridlebaugh said.

"Savings to the chamber is a priority. We are working hard to be fiscally responsible with members' dues. We discovered we will pay less for insurance and gas than we were on mileage reimbursements, and that's a big reason why we decided to do it," Cridlebaugh said.

The chamber will have the car for one year. It's easily recognizable, with UAC and chamber logos on its sides, which were recently applied to the car by local graphics business, Sign Dog. UAC also paid for that.

"We would have been happy with anything UAC provided. It turned out to be a very nice car," Cridlebaugh said.

It's not unusual for chambers to drive cars donated by local auto dealerships, he added. Several other chambers throughout the state use donated cars to cut down on expenses. It's also a great way to advertise.

"This made us feel good," Faltus said. "We are very happy with the direction the chamber's been going in over the past few years. It's really been beneficial in assisting local businesses."

University Auto Center donated a Cadillac STS to the Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce for business use. Seen here from left to right: UAC co-owner Jeff Faltus, Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce Director Ron Cridlebaugh, and UAC co-owner Dave Thomas.