Del Grande Dealer Group’s Salinas Honda Donates 2024 Honda Civic to Cancer Survivor, Raises $52,000 for American Cancer Society Relay For Life® of Salinas Valley

Partnership with American Cancer Society Supports Salinas Valley Cancer Patients, Survivors and their Families

SALINAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Salinas Honda, part of Northern California’s largest family-owned automotive group Del Grande Dealer Group (DGDG), recently presented breast cancer survivor Ernestina Valdes with a 2024 Honda Civic Sport Sedan, compliments of Salinas Honda.

Valdes was the winner of the raffle and purchased her raffle tickets from her cousin Jupe Brambila, a dedicated volunteer and cancer survivor herself. Both women are deeply committed to supporting the American Cancer Society. Valdes was one of thousands who entered the car raffle in support of Relay For Life® of Salinas Valley, a key part of the fundraiser. Salinas Honda continued their 23-year tradition of donating a car for the raffle. Over 17 weeks, the raffle helped raise $52,000. In total, the 2024 Relay For Life® event raised $554,000, continuing the tradition of generous community support in Salinas.

“I am truly grateful for the American Cancer Society’s support, and for my cousin Lupe, who has been a part of my cancer journey,” said Valdes. “Winning this car is a wonderful surprise, but what it means the most to me is being part of an organization that’s making a difference for survivors like me and countless others.”

Relay For Life® came to Salinas thanks to car dealer (and former owner of Salinas Honda) Sam Linder who participated in Relay For Life® while living in Washington. Linder brought the event to Salinas in 1997. Since then, the Salinas Relay has raised $17.5 million.

“Giving back to our community continues to be a core value for DGDG, and our Salinas Honda team, led by general manager Al Feria, has done a great job continuing the legacy of giving back with the participation in the Salinas Relay event,” said DGDG CEO Jeremy Beaver. “We hope to continue this partnership for years to come to raise awareness and funds to fight cancer.”

DGDG continuously supports national and local organizations through DGDG Does Good, the charitable arm of the Del Grande Dealer Group. Through financial contributions, collaborations with nonprofit organizations, and employee volunteerism, DGDG Does Good brings positive lasting change to communities. To date, more than $1 million has been donated to worthy causes and recipients.

Link to photos from the event here
Link to b-roll video from the event here

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is a leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. For more than 100 years, we have been improving the lives of people with cancer and their families as the only organization combating cancer through advocacy, research, and patient support. Visit cancer.org.

About Del Grande Dealer Group

Del Grande Dealer Group (DGDG) is Northern California’s largest family-owned automotive group. The dealer group comprises 18 dealerships in Northern California including: Audi Modesto, Salinas Honda, Capitol GMC, Capitol Chevrolet, Capitol Ford, Capitol Hyundai, Capitol Kia, Capitol, Mazda, Capitol Subaru, Capitol Volkswagen, Concord Mazda, Fremont Hyundai, Genesis of Stevens Creek, Stevens Creek Hyundai, Stevens Creek Mazda, Team Cadillac, Team Chevrolet, and Team Mazda. Visit DGDG.com.