Subaru of Jacksonville tops dealerships nationwide with $157,889 gift to Wolfson Children’s Hospital

The 14th annual Subaru Share the Love campaign not only resulted in Subaru of Jacksonville’s largest donation yet to Wolfson Children’s Hospital, but also the largest charitable gift of all Subaru dealerships this year nationwide. Leaders from Wolfson Children’s accepted a $157,889.47 check from Subaru of Jacksonville’s owners Thursday.

The donation will help fund care and advanced technology to treat critically ill and injured children at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, along with child passenger safety education through THE PLAYERS Center for Child Health at Wolfson Children’s.

During this year’s campaign, Subaru donated $250 for every new vehicle purchased or leased from Subaru of Jacksonville between November 18, 2021, and January 3, 2022. Customers could choose from four national charities for the $250 donation – including ASPCA, Make a Wish Foundation, Meals on Wheels and the National Park Foundation – or Subaru of Jacksonville’s hometown charity, Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Subaru of Jacksonville matched every $250 donation, plus more, regardless of the charity chosen by the customer, with all matching funds benefitting Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Additionally, Subaru of America and Subaru of Jacksonville donated $2 and $3, respectively, to Wolfson Children’s for every Subaru oil change at the dealership during the campaign.

Subaru of Jacksonville was the first corporate partner to support trauma services at Wolfson Children’s and established the “Subaru of Jacksonville Porter Family Trauma Services Endowment,” creating a legacy of support for generations to come. To date, Subaru of Jacksonville has donated $1.3 million to Wolfson Children’s Hospital.

“With every passing year of this partnership, we feel more and more fortunate to be in a position to make these donations,” said Phil Porter, owner of Subaru of Jacksonville. “We haven’t always been able to make a donation like this, but the growth and success of the Subaru brand has truly helped us make a huge impact in and around our community. We consider it an honor to be able to support the hospital and all of the families that are helped each and every day.”

In recognition of their generous contributions, Wolfson Children’s announced last year the region’s only state-designated Pediatric Trauma Center would be named the Porter Family Children’s Trauma Center. Subaru of Jacksonville is also the presenting sponsor of Wolfson Children’s annual summer toy drive, Christmas in July, and supports two of Wolfson Children’s signature fundraisers, the Wolfson Children’s Challenge and Smoking Clays for Kids, which raise critical funding for life-saving equipment and technology.

Subaru of Jacksonville, in collaboration with Wolfson Children’s Hospital and THE PLAYERS Center for Child Health, will also continue to host free Child Passenger Car Seat Safety Checks the first Friday of each month to ensure children are safe on the roads.

“We are constantly amazed by the generosity of the Porters, Subaru of Jacksonville, and the Northeast Florida community,” said Michael D. Aubin, FACHE, president of Wolfson Children’s Hospital and chief philanthropy officer of the Baptist Health Foundation. “This donation will help ensure we are able to serve the most critically ill and injured babies and children, while also promoting education and awareness to keep kids safe and out of the hospital to begin with.”

In addition to supporting trauma services and child passenger safety, Subaru of Jacksonville has also sponsored the Wolfson Children’s Hospital Auxiliary’s “Wolfie Wagon,” providing children and families in the hospital an opportunity to choose treats, T-shirts, balloons and other goodies at no cost.

As a not-for-profit organization, Wolfson Children's Hospital relies on charitable donations to provide world-class, specialized pediatric care for all children in the region, regardless of ability to pay. The hospital opened in 1955, with the aid of an initial gift from the Wolfson Family Foundation, as a place for all children to be admitted and treated without regard to creed, religion, race or financial position. That original mission remains today.

Subaru of Jacksonville is a family-owned and run business that was opened in August 2000 by current owner, R. Phil Porter, in order to serve the people of Jacksonville and its surrounding communities. The Subaru of Jacksonville team lives in the community, works in the community and supports the community through donations, sponsorships, volunteerism and community events. Subaru of Jacksonville has been awarded DealerRater’s Florida Subaru Dealer of the Year for the past 8 years, the only Subaru retailer to achieve this award for so many consecutive years, and DealerRater’s National Subaru Dealer of the Year in 2020. Subaru of Jacksonville was awarded the 2017 Subaru Love Promise Award, a national Subaru award given to only one of over 600 dealerships, for their commitment to the community and multiple monthly awards for community service. Phil believes that with great reward comes great responsibility and that means treating others the best way and meeting needs whenever possible, from a personal level, dealership level, and community level.