Annette Sykora with Smith Auto Family, along with Ally Financial, presented a check for $1,000 to Bill’s Backpacks, Sykora’s charity choice as TIME Dealer of the Year nominee. Sykora was one of 47 dealer nominees, out of 16,000 dealers nationwide, who will be honored at the annual National Automobile Dealers Association show in Las Vegas in March 2022. Sykora was nominated for the award by the Texas Automobile Dealers Association. The award is one of the automobile industry’s most prestigious and highly coveted honors, according to a news release by TIME and Ally Financial. As a nominee, Sykora was granted a $1,000 donation to the charity of her choice. Sykora and Smith Auto Family are regular contributors to Bill’s Backpacks, and Sykora said she chose Bill’s Backpacks because of what they provide for children. “Investing in our kids is one of the best things we could possibly do,” Sykora said. Tracy Barker and Carrie Ellis, board members for Bill’s Backpacks, accepted the donation from Sykora and Ally Financial. Ellis said this holiday season, Bill’s Backpacks will provide 185 students with two food boxes for the holiday break. She said the group wants to extend a special thank you to Sykora and Ally Financial for the donation that will help with the group’s financial needs. Ellis also expressed gratitude to South Plains Food Bank, which provided all the boxes to cover the Christmas break. “When people give to the South Plains Food Bank, they are supporting organizations like Bill’s Backpacks,” Ellis said. For December, the group is collecting pudding cups. South Elementary recently helped with this task, collecting more than 2,500 cups. In January, the organization will focus on individual servings of cereal, as they are running particularly low on cereal. All in all, Ellis said the organization is appreciative of the community and its continued support for Bill’s Backpacks. “I am always amazed at how they continue to show up when we least expect it,” Ellis said. “Every time I get nervous that we may be in a jam, someone comes through for us. I am grateful for the special seat I have to witness that.” (Story & photo courtesy NewsPress)
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