Community Involvement

Volkswagen of St. Augustine
In the Community

At Volkswagen of St. Augustine we believe that business is about building trust and relationships with our employees, our customers and the community. After all, business truly is the engine of community, not just in the monetary sense, but because most of us spend a good part of our time working in and interacting through businesses - buying, selling, servicing, receiving service, consulting, entertaining and being entertained. Since its inception, Volkswagen of St. Augustine has played a part in supporting many organizations and causes. If you have a partnership request, click the button below:

Sponsor Request Form

SCHOOLS

• Castle Brook Academy
• First Coast Technical College
• Flagler College
• Pedro Menendez High School
• St. Augustine High School Theatre Club

COMMUNITY GROUPS

• The Charmettes of Palatka
• Eastern Surf Association
• Flagler County Chamber of Commerce
• The Flagler County Synchro Belles
• Flagler Healthcare Foundation
• The Junior Service League Kids Bridge
• MUVMNT Watches
• Old City Oil Drippers
• S.A.F.E. Pet Rescue
• St. Augustine Community School for the Performing Arts (SACSPA)
• St. Augustine Film Festival
• St. Johns Police Athletic League
• St. Augustine Regional Council (S.T.A.R.)
• St. Augustine Youth Theatre
• Toys for Tots
• VDUB Love Live
• Volkswagen of St. Augustine Trick-or-Treating

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

• Home Again St. Johns (Love Your Mother Eco-Fashion Show)
• First Coast Fresh (Farm Stroll)
• Think Blue. Go Green. (VW of St. Augustine Event)

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LOCAL SCHOOLS

Castle Brook Academy - Collin Fund

Collin is a local preschooler attending Castle Brook Academy. Right before his fourth birthday, Collin was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Collin has three other siblings and comes from a single-parent home. When Volkswagen of St. Augustine was made aware of Collin?s situation, the staff began a campaign to raise funds internally to help cover the cost of Collin?s medical expenses. In turn, Volkswagen of St. Augustine matched every dollar its employees raised to support Collin. The dealership is now involved in another campaign to raise funds to support Collin and his family.

First Coast Technical College

When the dealership opened its doors in December 2014, they had the pleasure of funding five scholarships to St. Augustine's First Coast Technical College's Automotive Services Technology program. Our Service Manager, Shaun Moore, serves on the Steering Committee for FCTC. Part of Shaun's role is to ensure the curriculum being taught is relevant to current needs and practices of the automotive industry.

"Students are in the program for 18 months. Practices and procedures in this industry change every six months. It is important to us that students learn relevant practices so they are employable after graduating." ? Shaun Moore. Volkswagen of St. Augustine has committed to sponsoring five more scholarships in 2015.

Flagler College

Volkswagen of St. Augustine currently employs two staff members who are Flagler alum. Their Marketing & Merchandising Manager and Sales & Marketing Coordinator are passionate about giving back to their Alma Mater. VWSA attends community outreach events held at the college, as well as Career & Intern Expos in hopes of retaining more Flagler College grads and supporting this wonderful institution.

Pedro Menendez High School

Volkswagen of St. Augustine annually supports Pedro Menendez High School?s sports programs. VWSA is passionate about supporting local students participating in extracurricular events throughout our community.

St. Augustine High School Theatre Club

The arts, especially those cultivating talent in local students, is an area the DiFeo Family is passionate about supporting. A family of artists, musicians, and visionaries, the DiFeos, along with the Volkswagen of St. Augustine team, find great value in giving back to our creative community. Volkswagen of St. Augustine sponsored St. Augustine High School Theatre Club performances throughout 2014 and will continue in 2015.

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COMMUNITY GROUPS

The Charmettes

When a group of women called the ?Charmettes? approached the dealership petitioning for help to raise funds through an organized walk for a local member with cancer, Volkswagen of St. Augustine was happy to contribute. In 2014, the walk raised over $2,000.

Eastern Surf Association

St. Augustine embodies surf culture. Volkswagen of St. Augustine enjoyed being a Title Sponsor of the local division of the Eastern Surf Association (ESA) during its 2014 season. VWSA is looking forward to continuing to support an impactful part of local culture by supporting the local surfers & surfettes of ESA in 2015.

Flagler County Chamber of Commerce

A member of the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce, Volkswagen of St. Augustine had several opportunities to support the chamber throughout 2014. VWSA was a contributing sponsor for the Palm Coast Arbor Day 5K, as well as the Title Sponsor of the 10th Annual Creekside Festival. VWSA?s owner and General Manager, Joe DiFeo, even performed live at the bluegrass festival! Both events were wonderful opportunities for the dealership to support their neighboring community.

The Flagler County Synchro Belles

The Flagler County Synchro Belles are a group of talented young, female synchronized swimmers in Flagler County. The Synchro Belles compete throughout the state of Florida and Volkswagen of St. Augustine is pleased to support their competitions.

Flagler Healthcare Foundation

Volkswagen of St. Augustine had the opportunity to act as the Practice Range Sponsor for the Flagler Healthcare Foundation Inaugural Golf Classic. VWSA?s sister dealership, Hyundai of St. Augustine, was the Presenting Sponsor. Both dealerships joined forces to form a participating team and look forward to serving in the same sponsor roles in 2015.

The Junior Service League

Volkswagen of St. Augustine partnered with The Junior Service League of St. Augustine for a variety of charity fundraisers throughout 2014. The dealership acted as a sponsor for their Annual Lighthouse 5K, participated in their Feel the Wheels fundraiser, hosted a Great Gatsby-themed event at the dealership to raise funds for JSL and SACSPA, was a Title Sponsor for their Annual Texas Hold ?Em Poker Tournament, and was a contributing sponsor for the JSL?s Annual King & Queen of St. Augustine Gala.

Sway DiFeo, wife of Owner/General Manager Joe DiFeo, was nominated for the JSL?s queen candidacy and was a major player in raising a total of over $17,000 throughout 2014 to support the JSL and the charities to which the organization contributes.

Kids Bridge

Dancing Stars of St. Johns will hold its second annual charity event in January 2015 to support Kids Bridge and SACSPA. Volkswagen of St. Augustine will host a table in partnership with Hyundai of St. Augustine. VWSA?s Sway DiFeo is a SACSPA board member and head of the Creative Committee for 2015?s Dancing Stars of St. John?s. Kids Bridge is a 501-C3 non-profit, providing safe haven for families to reconnect in a supervised setting.

MUVMNT Watches

Volkswagen of St. Augustine is partnering with MUVMNT watches not only to sell an eco-friendly, awesome product, MUVMNT watches allows the dealership to give back to five charities of their choice. When customers purchase a MUVMNT watch from VWSA, MUVMNT watches will donate $10 of the profit to one of the following charities, based off the customer?s choice: The Betty Griffin House, The Collin Fund, SACSPA, SAFE Pet Rescue, and St. Francis House.

Old City Oil Drippers

There seems no better organization for Volkswagen of St. Augustine to stand alongside than a group of local VW enthusiasts. Founded in 1997, the OCOD can be spotted throughout the ancient city at various events, the most anticipated being their Annual Turkey Run Car Show.

Traditionally held the weekend of St. Augustine?s famous Night of Lights, the Turkey Run is a free event that raises money through a raffle and the purchase of Turkey Run gear to benefit the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation (SPF). This past year was VWSA?s first year acting as Title Sponsor of the Turkey Run. We look forward to becoming more involved in the years to come.

S.A.F.E. Pet Rescue

S.A.F.E. Pet Rescue, Inc. was founded in September 2008 with the goal of saving adoptable dogs and cats from euthanasia in Northeast Florida. SAFE works with various animal control agencies in an effort to help them place more animals in homes. S.A.F.E. approached Volkswagen of St. Augustine with the idea to host a pet-adoption at the dealership.

For every person who test drove a Volkswagen during the fundraiser, VWSA donated $20 to S.A.F.E. Our very own Sales Manager, Kevin Evans, was the first to adopt the day of the fundraiser! Over $700 was raised during the first fundraiser and VWSA looks forward to continuing to support S.A.F.E. in the future!

St. Augustine Community School for the Performing Arts (SACSPA)

SACSPA?s long-term goal is to establish an educational facility where they can provide quality musical education to under-served youth through gifted interns and master instructors. They have served as a catalyst towards many local youth?s development in the arts. Volkswagen of St. Augustine owners, the DiFeos, are passionate about supporting music, art, and other creative programs in schools.

Sway DiFeo sits on the board of SACSPA, and has campaigned to raise money for SACSPA through her candidacy with the Junior Service League. VWSA will continue to work alongside, and contribute to SACSPA in hopes of keeping children in touch with the arts.

St. Augustine Film Festival

Volkswagen of St. Augustine is excited to be a Lewis Auditorium Sponsor for the 5th Annual St. Augustine Film Festival. In association with the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, which is now in its 29th year, the St. Augustine Film Festival has continued to grow and expand with each year. VWSA looks forward to being in attendance and speaking during the Saturday evening film they are sponsoring.

St. Johns Police Athletic League

Volkswagen of St. Augustine is excited to be a Lewis Auditorium Sponsor for the 5th Annual St. Augustine Film Festival. In association with the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, which is now in its 29th year, the St. Augustine Film Festival has continued to grow and expand with each year. VWSA looks forward to being in attendance and speaking during the Saturday evening film they are sponsoring.

St. Augustine Regional Council (S.T.A.R., Bratini)

One of the most amusing charity events Volkswagen of St. Augustine participated in during 2014 has to be the Bratini Event by the St. Augustine Regional Council (STAR). An annual event raising funds for local women battling breast cancer, Bratini features local male celebrities modeling themed, embellished bras. An audience of mostly women bids on the bras, all funds going to support St. Johns County fight against breast cancer. This past year?s event featured Volkswagen of St. Augustine?s very own General Manager/Owner, Joe DiFeo, and Marketing/Merchandising Manager, Max Nunn.

St. Augustine Youth Theatre

The St. Augustine Youth Theatre is a local, non-profit that serves as an outlet to foster and display theatric talent through St. Johns County youths. Volkswagen of St. Augustine had the opportunity to sponsor several of their 2014 traveling summer performances.

Toys for Tots

The local Marines Corp Reserve reached out to Volkswagen of St. Augustine in the fall of 2014 to invite the dealership to become a collection point for Toys for Tots. VWSA was pleased to jump on board offering incentives to the public for donations and even to VWSA employees who donated. The 2014 season was a success and the dealership is excited to grow the effort in the years to come!

VDUB Love Live

Volkswagen of St. Augustine hosts their own radio show, VDub Love Live, every Tuesday from 12-1pm on local radio station 99.5FM WSOS. The focus of the show is promoting local worthy causes and events, hometown musicians, local business owners and news within the community. Hosts, Sway DiFeo and Sara Hansen, have featured these local worthy causes since the shows inception in September of 2014: Home Again St. Johns, SAFE, Local Honey Project, Betty Griffin House, Pink Up the Pace 5K, St. Augustine Community School for Performing Arts, Junior Service League, The Perla School, St. Francis House, the Flagler Health Foundation, the St. Augustine Film Festival and Kids Bridge. They plan to host many more local musicians, business owners and community events throughout 2015.

Volkswagen of St. Augustine Trick-or-Treating

During the month of October, VWSA packs hundreds of bags with toys, candy and goodies to encourage the public to trick-or-treat through a safe and fun atmosphere at the dealership.

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

Home Again (Love Your Mother Eco-Fashion Show)

Volkswagen of St. Augustine was happy to partner with the Love Your Mother Eco-Fashion Show, a well-known charity fundraiser in Northeast Florida. A Title Sponsor for the event, VWSA also played host to the eco-friendly fashion show with roughly 600 people standing in the rain to view the high-energy event. Over $50,000 was raised to support Home Again, a local non-profit focusing on getting the homeless off the street and back into the workforce.

First Coast Fresh (Farm Stroll)

First Coast Fresh ? A Family Farm Group consists of grower partners who pool their resources in order to streamline the purchasing process of food products to local, regional and national buyers. Volkswagen of St. Augustine was a Title Sponsor of First Coast Fresh?s Farm Stroll during the Spring of 2014.

Think Blue. Go Green.

When General Manager, Joe DiFeo, expressed an interest in hosting an eco-friendly event the first spring the dealership was open, Volkswagen of St. Augustine developed "Think Blue. Go Green.", and annual farmer?s market held on site at VWSA. Multiple local farms and eco-friendly vendors set up for a day of environmental awareness and vending to increase awareness of eco-friendly living within our local community.

St. Augustine 450th Commemoration

The St. Augustine 450th Commemoration's website states 'the mission of the St. Augustine 450th Commemoration is to share with the nation and the world the important role St. Augustine played in the making of America and to tell the story of St. Augustine?s 450 years of rich multicultural history and enduring people through engaging programs.'

Volkswagen of St. Augustine is partnering with the 450th Commemoration for an educational campaign throughout 2015 to educate the local community on interesting, unknown facts about the Ancient City. Keep your eyes posted throughout the year, you just may learn something!

South Menendez Athletic Association East Coast Cheer

Volkswagen of St. Augustine is passionate about supporting extracurricular activities for students. They are an active sponsor the SMAA East Coast Cheer division in Hastings for 2015.

St. Joseph's Academy

The past two years, Volkswagen of St. Augustine has had the opportunity to support St. Joseph's Academy in their annual auction which strives to raise funding for continuing education for their students. The high school has been a staple in the St. Augustine community since 1866!

March of Dimes

A local Sales Consultant from Coggin Honda visited Volkswagen of St. Augustine to raise awareness and funds for his son through March of Dimes. As a neighbor in business and the community, VWSA was happy to contribute to March of Dimes to support a local family in need.