AutoNation Inc. has donated $250,000 to a fund that provides relief and financial support to the school shooting victims and families in Parkland, Fla.
A gunman opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., on Feb. 14, killing 17 people.
The donation was made through the Broward Education Foundation to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Victims' Fund. AutoNation employees responded to a request from CEO Mike Jackson, who plays a role in the fund's steering committee, the company said in a statement. The company matched the donations made by employees, AutoNation said.
"I was deeply touched by the response of our associates from coast to coast to the horrific events of February 14. Thirteen AutoNation locations, including our headquarters, are in Broward County," Jackson said in the statement. "Parkland is home to many of our associates and their children, who attend MSD. The outpouring of support from our associates from all over the country shows this tragedy has hit home for all of us."
AutoNation and Rick Case Automotive Group of Sunrise, Fla., have joined to increase support for the fund from members of the Florida Automobile Dealers Association, AutoNation said.
Rick Case COO Rita Case said, "Mike Jackson and I may be competitors in business, but right now we've put our business concerns aside and have united to help our devastated community heal from this tragedy."
AutoNation is listed as the fourth-largest donor to the fund, which has raised $8.8 million thus far. The South Florida Ford Dealers' donation is listed as $50,000.
AutoNation Inc., of Fort Lauderdale, ranks No. 1 on Automotive News' list of the top 150 dealership groups based in the U.S., with retail sales of 329,116 new vehicles in 2017. Rick Case Automotive Group ranks No. 39, with retail sales of 21,913 new vehicles in 2017.