Cochran Community Involvement in Mahoning Valley

As a family-owned car dealership, Cochran Chevrolet knows how important it is to give back to the community. Selling new and used cars to people in the Boardman and Youngstown, Ohio, area for more than a century, we remain committed to helping those who help us. Throughout the year, we sponsor many local projects because we know how important it is to give back. Learn more about these local organizations below.

Cochran’s Operation Santa

Since Cochran Chevrolet does its biggest business during November and December, we wanted to capitalize on sales and give back to the community. One way we do that is through our Operation Santa program. Begun in 2013, Operation Santa supports those in need throughout the year but particularly during the holiday season. Each year, typically from November 1 through December 31, our dealership donates $50 for every new car sold.

Over the years, some of the charities that have benefited from the program include the following:

• Boys & Girls Club of Youngstown
• Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley
• The United Way of Youngstown
• Salvation Army of Mahoning Valley

In 2020, our dealership presented a check for $32,750 to the United Way. This amount topped the previous year’s donation by $400. Since we began our Operation Santa program, it has donated more than $155,000 to numerous local charities.

Mercy Health Foundation: Panerathon

As the primary fundraiser for the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, the Panerathon is a 10K run, 2-mile fun run or walk, and Kids Run. Started in 2009, the event brings together more than 12,000 participants and spectators to raise money so that anyone in Mahoning Valley who needs breast diagnostic services has access to the best care, whether or not they can afford it.

Since it began, the Panerathon has raised more than $3 million for the Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley in support of the breast care center, which was the first comprehensive breast care center in the region. All proceeds from the event benefit the center, and funds raised in 2016 allowed the center to purchase a mobile 3D mammography unit that travels to more than two dozen communities. During a two-year span, the center conducted more than 3,600 mammograms via the mobile unit.

Cochran Chevrolet has put together several teams to participate in the run and walk. We also serve as a Platinum sponsor for the event.

Canfield Fair

Image via Flickr by dougbutchy

Begun back in 1846, the Canfield Fair is a week-long summer tradition that has an average attendance of 350,000 people. These visitors enjoy traditional fair food, purchase items from local vendors, check out livestock, play games in the arcade, and go on carnival rides. Canfield Fair also invites top musicians and entertainment acts, some of which include the following:

• The Band Perry.
• The Beach Boys.
• Bob Hope.
• Brad Paisley.
• Dolly Parton.
• Pentatonix.
• Rascal Flatts.

Sitting on 350 acres, the Canfield Fair also hosts tractor pulls, a demolition derby, and harness racing. Parking is free, and admission costs depend on age and date attending. Also, certain events require additional tickets.

In 2018, for the first time in the fair’s history, it announced it had official sponsors. Cochran Chevrolet signed a partnership with Canfield Fair, which is the largest county fair in the state. The sponsorship allows us to promote our brand to a large community gathering while helping offset the costs required to run the fair.

United Way Centennial Celebration

In 1919, a group of business leaders gathered to discuss concerns they had regarding the well-being of children and adults in the area. These 11 people created the Community Corporation, which eventually turned into the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. Its original mission was to help friends, families, and neighbors in need within the area; in its first year of service, the group raised $328,234 to fulfill that mission.

In February 2019, the United Way hosted an Anniversary Lunch to celebrate its 100 years. Current board members, longtime supporters, and sponsors of the Centennial Celebration celebrated the momentous occasion. Since it began, this chapter has had five executive directors or presidents, 31 board chairs, and 100 campaign chairs to help raise more than $165 million for Mahoning Valley.

During this lunch, it was announced that the Centennial Campaign raised $3,454,454 for the community, surpassing its $3 million goal. This record-breaking amount surpassed the organization’s previous record of $3,352,973 raised in 1991.

Cochran Chevrolet was one of four presenting sponsors for the event, and all the sponsors have had their representatives serve as one of the 100 campaign chairs or sit on the board during the organization’s history. Doug Cochran chaired the 2007 campaign, which raised $2.8 million, and his daughter Alexa Cochran Black serves on the board.

Adopt-A-Palooza

Cochran Chevrolet wanted to bring attention to the number of animals in shelters, so it partnered with Boardman Park to offer the annual Adopt-A-Palooza event. Held in the summer at Boardman Park, Adopt-A-Palooza is a one-day event where about a dozen nonprofit animal rescue groups bring adoptable dogs and cats for people to potentially take home.

Previous years have seen Angels for Animals, Friends of Fido, and Animal Charity bring these furry friends in hopes of adopting them out. The rescue groups make sure the animals are spayed or neutered as well as up to date on their shots. They also receive a clean bill of health from a vet, so potential adopters know they’re bringing home a healthy animal. In addition to checking out the animals, guests can enjoy food and purchase pet-related merchandise.

Cochran Chevrolet is more than just a car dealership. In 2019 alone, we put back more than $250,000 into our local community. Are there any special programs not listed that you think we should get involved with? Or are you interested in learning more about any of these community organizations and how you can get involved? If either one of these applies to you, reach out to us directly.