Soave Automotive Group Manager Serves Up Food for Homeless Soave Enterprises has experienced tremendous growth and success over the last twenty years, and owner Anthony Soave understands that the surrounding communities and customers are to thank for that. In an effort to share his appreciation, Soave and each of the diverse businesses within Soave Enterprises work together to bring support to local programs, fundraisers, and events. One great example of community involvement can be seen from Jim Schmidt, a 19-year Soave employee of Aristocrat Motors and current Service Manager who is servicing more than just automobiles on his weekends. Soave Service Manager Gets Involved After 24 years of marriage and four children, Jim and Jennifer Schmidt still make plans to have a special dinner together every Saturday night. Candlelight and dress-up clothes, however, aren’t needed for these evenings. The Schmidts spend their Saturdays delivering food to Kansas City’s homeless population with the non-profit group, Uplift, Inc. Founded in 1990, Uplift is a Kansas City-based, all-volunteer group with the goal of delivering basic human needs, care and compassion to individuals living on the streets. Schmidt explains that the process didn’t happen all at once, “The whole thing started slowly, and then just progressively grew. About seven years ago, my wife took her Girl Scout troop to the Uplift warehouse for a day of service. When we learned they could use more help, we signed up to cook dinner for 60 to 70 people one Saturday night a month.” Well-versed in cooking large quantities of food from his long-time participation on a bar-be-que team, Jim notes the most difficult part was keeping the food hot and transporting it. “We had to use a neighbor’s oven in addition to our own.” One evening in 2005, when the Schmidts were bringing their regular donation to the warehouse, the group was short a volunteer to deliver the meals. Jennifer, whom Jim describes as “a rock solid, driving force,” immediately hopped on the truck and quickly became hooked on helping others through Uplift. Jim joined his wife’s weekly excursions more than a year ago when one of the regular delivery truck drivers was absent. He graciously stepped in. Now both Schmidts spend every Saturday from 2 p.m. until 12 midnight with the non-profit organization and Kansas City’s most destitute citizens. “I’m continually amazed at how grateful the people we meet are,” Jim observes. “Not only do they survive, they are frequently happy.” Enthusiasm is Catching at Soave Automotive Group The Schmidts’ enthusiasm for Uplift is infectious. Jim’s co-workers Soave Automotive Group Service Coordinator Rick Leonard and Soave Automotive Group Driver Stan Griffin recently donated a night in service to the organization. Both men were so affected by the experience that they are scheduled to return for an evening this fall. Leonard noted that “When Jim jumped off the truck, these extremely grateful people followed him as if he were the ‘Pied Piper.’ With help from Uplift, these often looked-down-upon human beings are able to find life a little more bearable at least for a day.”
“I would like all Soave Enterprises employees to understand how bad the homeless situation is – not just in the inner city - but also in the nicer suburbs,” Jim notes. “While we can’t completely stop the situation, supporting organizations such as Uplift Inc. does help. Not many types of volunteerism lead to such personal satisfaction.” Jim Schmidt’s efforts are not the only ones occurring among Soave employees. From organizing book and food drives, to hosting youth events and educational programs, to donating time and supplies when disaster strikes, Soave employees are always eager to offer their time and support to the area. Soave Enterprises is a diversified management and investment company founded by Detroit businessman Anthony Soave that provides strategic planning, financial and other management resources to its affiliated business ventures in the real estate, automotive retailing, beer distribution, scrap metal, industrial services and transportation industries, among others. Soave Enterprises continues grow and expand as it searches for new innovative opportunities within each diverse industry. For more information on Tony Soave and Soave Enterprises, please visit http://www.soave.com. Soave Enterprises 3400 E Lafayette Detroit, MI 48207 313-567-7000 http://www.soave.com