Driving Hope, Coming Full Circle

Written by Kelly Barch, Executive Director of the Lilabean Foundation

Thirteen years ago, my dad passed away from cancer. Long before that, he'd spent years at Herson's Honda teaching sales after starting his second career. When I was old enough to drive, my very first car was a Honda Civic from that same lot. I never imagined I'd one day walk back through those doors, not to buy a car, but to build a partnership that would help fund research for children facing cancer.

This May, Herson's Honda became the inaugural partner for our new Drive for Hope campaign. The idea was simple: for every new car sold, Herson's Honda would donate $100 to support pediatric brain cancer research during Brain Cancer Awareness Month. Sometimes the simplest ideas have the biggest impact.

As I walked through the showroom during the campaign, I couldn't help but think about my dad and the time he spent there teaching and mentoring sales professionals. This time, I was there with a different purpose, but one I know he would have been incredibly proud of.

Throughout the month, the Herson's Honda team embraced the campaign, displaying Lilabean Foundation materials throughout the dealership and sharing our mission with customers. Every vehicle sold became more than just a transaction; it became hope for children and families facing one of the most devastating diagnoses imaginable.

By month's end, 198 families had driven off the lot in a new vehicle. Herson's Honda didn't stop there. They rounded up their gift, turning an already incredible campaign into a remarkable $20,000 donation to support pediatric brain cancer research.

Drive for Hope proved something we've always believed: businesses don't have to reinvent philanthropy to make a meaningful impact. By connecting everyday business with an extraordinary mission, Herson's Honda helped fund research that advances discovery, accelerates therapies, and gives children facing pediatric brain cancer more hope for tomorrow. In many ways, this partnership felt like coming full circle.

We are deeply grateful to Bill Andrakakos, Executive Vice President of the Herson’s Auto Group, and Garrick Rumley, Marketing Director, along with every member of the Herson's Honda team and every customer who purchased a vehicle during the month of May. Your generosity transformed ordinary moments into extraordinary impact, and together you demonstrated that every mile truly can drive hope.

As we look ahead, we're excited to bring Drive for Hope to more dealerships. If just one partner can inspire this much hope in a single month, imagine what we can accomplish together. If you’re a dealership that wants to give your team a shared mission, connect their customers to something bigger than a purchase, and leave a lasting legacy in their community, one car at a time, we’d love to talk!

Thank you, Herson's Honda, for believing in our mission and for helping write the first chapter of what we know will be a lasting legacy of hope.