Progressive Chevrolet's Holiday Tradition of Giving Back to Massillon and Stark County

There’s something about the holiday season that softens the edges of the year. The lights feel a little warmer, the mornings a little quieter, and our sense of gratitude grows a little louder. At Progressive Chevrolet, this time of year means something special: it’s when we gather as a team, reflect on the community around us, and celebrate our long-standing tradition of giving back through the Employee Civic Fund.
 

For more than 75 years, this fund has been more than a program, it’s been a living, breathing expression of who we are. Every week, every month, every department, employees choose to contribute a small portion of their income to support people right here in Massillon, Canton, and throughout Stark County. It’s generosity in motion, multiplied by hundreds of hands.

A Tradition Rooted in Community

The idea is beautifully simple: give consistently, ask thoughtfully, and help locally. Each year, our Civic Fund Committee speaks with departments to understand where help is needed most. We focus intentionally on organizations that support our neighbors—the people who pass us in the grocery store, cheer at Friday night football games, and build their lives right alongside ours.

When Donation Day arrives, the dealership transforms into something warmer than a showroom. Nonprofit representatives join us among the holiday trees and tinsel, sharing stories, hugs, and plenty of photos. This year, with a total of $31,557.00 donated, the energy was joyful, emotional, and deeply grounding. Because this isn’t corporate giving. It’s personal giving.
 

How Each Donation Supports Stark County

Every organization we support moves the needle in a different way. The donation amounts vary, but the impact carries the same heartbeat: hope, stability, and support for those who need it most.

Below is a closer look at this year’s recipients and what each contribution makes possible.

The Salvation Army – $4,850.00

The Salvation Army has been a safety net for generations, offering food, shelter, and crisis support when families face their hardest days. This donation helps keep those doors open during the coldest months of the year—fueling meals, emergency care, and outreach programs across Stark County. Website: https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/northeast-ohio/

Soroptimist – $1,000.00

Soroptimist focuses on empowering women and girls through education, mentorship, and life-changing opportunities. This donation contributes to scholarships, leadership programs, and resources that help women build futures filled with possibility. Website: https://soroptimist.org/

Siffrin, Inc. – $2,400.00

Siffrin creates independence and confidence for individuals with developmental disabilities by providing housing, employment, and life-skills support. This year’s contribution helps expand inclusive programs that allow people to live fuller, more self-directed lives.
Website: https://www.siffrin.org/

Save22.vet – $1,000.00

Save22 serves veterans and first responders battling PTSD and mental health challenges. This donation supports counseling, wellness retreats, and peer-led programs that remind our heroes they’re not alone—not this season, not ever.
Website: https://save22.vet/

Refuge of Hope – $1,300.00

Refuge of Hope provides fresh, nutritious food to families experiencing food insecurity. This gift helps stock shelves, fill boxes, and nourish households during a time of year when many feel the strain the most.
Website: https://blessingsofhope.com/

Meals on Wheels – $3,000.00

 
Meals on Wheels is more than a food delivery service—it’s human connection delivered to doorsteps. This donation funds warm meals, friendly check-ins, and reassurance for seniors who deserve care, dignity, and community.
Website: https://www.mealsonwheelsneoh.org/

Compassion Delivered – $1,500.00

Compassion Delivered prepares medically tailored meals for individuals battling life-threatening illnesses. This contribution helps support those who cannot cook for themselves, offering nourishment when healing takes everything they’ve got.
Website: https://www.compassiondelivered.org/

Buckeye Council, Boy Scouts of America – $1,000.00

Buckeye Council provides leadership training, community engagement, and outdoor experiences that shape young people into confident adults. This donation strengthens local troop programs and keeps youth development accessible to all.
Website: https://www.buckeyecouncil.org/

Boys & Girls Club of Massillon – $2,000.00

From after-school programs to athletic opportunities, the Boys & Girls Club ensures that kids have a safe and encouraging place to grow. Our support helps fuel academic programs, character-building activities, and mentorship that often change the trajectory of a child’s life.
Website: https://www.bgcmassillon.org/

American Red Cross – $2,400.00

The American Red Cross is always first to arrive when a crisis strikes—whether it’s a house fire, natural disaster, or urgent blood shortage. Our donation contributes to emergency relief, lifesaving training, and ongoing community preparedness efforts.
Website: https://www.redcross.org/local/ohio/northern-ohio.html

The Heart Behind the Holiday Season

When you add up every check, every contribution, and every heartfelt conversation shared at the dealership, you begin to see the real story. This isn’t just a seasonal event—it’s a reflection of who Progressive Chevrolet is as a team. The holidays remind us to slow down and look outward. To remember that even the smallest acts of generosity ripple outward in ways we might never fully see. And here, in Massillon and throughout Stark County, those ripples matter.

We’re grateful to every employee who contributed over the past year. We’re grateful to every nonprofit that shows up—day after day, season after season—to do the work that strengthens our community’s foundation. And we’re grateful to live in a place where giving isn’t just an idea. It’s a habit. As we close out another year of the Civic Fund tradition, our dealership feels a little brighter. Maybe it’s the lights. Maybe it’s the season. But we’re pretty sure it’s the people. Here’s to compassion, kindness, and another year of giving back to the community we call home.