ATLANTA (Aug. 27, 2015) — The Community Assistance Center (CAC) was presented with a new 2015 Sprinter 2500 passenger van on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 by Stephen Cannon, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), at a ceremony held at the temporary MBUSA headquarters in Dunwoody, Ga. Cannon provided the keys and the van to Tamara Carrera, CEO and Executive Director of CAC, to help the community center reach more individuals and families in need of financial and in-kind assistance in the Sandy Springs and Dunwoody communities.
“Mercedes-Benz is committed to service and volunteerism in the communities where our employees live and work, and to helping those who need a hand,” Cannon said. “We are excited to be part of the Atlanta community and look forward to the opportunities we will have to build long-term relationships.” MBUSA recently moved its headquarters operations from Montvale, N.J., to a temporary location in Dunwoody. The company is building a new facility in Sandy Springs, which is expected to be completed in 2017/2018.
MBUSA donated a 12-passenger van that will enable CAC staff to provide transportation for clients who need to get to the center as well as serve as a mobile office for CAC to reach clients who might not otherwise receive services. The van, which is custom wrapped to promote CAC’s mission to help neighbors in need, will serve a purpose of better connecting CAC to the community. CAC currently serves about 5,700 individuals a year; with the new van, CAC will be able to reach 20 percent more people.
“We are deeply touched and grateful for this amazing gift from MBUSA, and by the company’s commitment to serving the community by supporting charitable efforts that enhance the lives of residents in need. CAC joins in our community’s celebration that MBUSA has chosen Sandy Springs as its home and we thank them for this gift that will help us to reach the most fragile members in our community with the least access to services. Today, MBUSA joins a community of engaged partners working to keep hunger and homelessness at bay,” said Tamara Carrera, CEO and Executive Director of CAC.
Also in attendance at the event were Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul, Dunwoody Mayor Mike Davis and many of the leaders of the congregations that founded the Community Assistance Center.
