Mercedes-Benz of Knoxville gives $30K holiday gift to local animal shelters
In the spirit of the holiday season, Furrow Automotive Group’s Mercedes-Benz of Knoxville donated $15,000 each to Young-Williams Animal Center and Humane Society, Tennessee Valley to support the shelters’ efforts when they are needed most in the community.
The Furrow family’s commitment to community philanthropy inspired Mercedes-Benz of Knoxville to give to both organizations for a second time in 2022 after donating $10,000 to each of the animal welfare advocates in July. Furrow Automotive President Lee Ann Furrow Tolsma and the Mercedes-Benz of Knoxville team presented shelter representatives with $15,000 checks on Dec. 21. The donations represent a percentage of the local dealership’s recent sales as part of the Benzie’s Friends fund.
“Thanks to our team and customers, homeless pets’ holidays will be a bit brighter,” Tolsma said. “It brings us joy to give back to Young-Williams Animal Center and Humane Society, Tennessee Valley again this year. We hope the gift provides some comfort to pets and their people during this special time.”
Young-Williams Animal Center is the official municipal shelter for the City of Knoxville and Knox County. The shelter has served more than 11,000 pets this year. Humane Society, Tennessee Valley is the longest-operating animal shelter in Tennessee and relies solely on donations and grants.
During the holidays, animal welfare organizations seek additional support to place pets in loving homes and help any pet owners who may need assistance such as pet food or resources.
“This is an incredible Christmas present to the tens of thousands of pets and their people that need our assistance year-round,” said Janet Testerman, CEO of Young-Williams Animal Center. “We are grateful to the Furrow Automotive Group and Mercedes-Benz of Knoxville for their continued belief in our mission to end pet homelessness, promote animal welfare and enhance the human-animal bond.”
“By extending this Christmas donation to our organization, Furrow Automotive’s Group Mercedes-Benz Knoxville, is providing shelter, food and love to the thousands of abandoned animals and families that we serve each year,” said A. Constance Paras, executive director of Humane Society, Tennessee Valley. “As the need increases, to keep pets and people together, we are grateful for the support of the Furrow Family and their customers that fuel our mission and provide hope to the animals and people in the communities we serve.”
Furrow Automotive Group has been operating in East Tennessee for more than 105 years. Company leaders and employees are dedicated to bettering the lives of residents and the region as a whole, resulting in numerous contributions, including those to Young-Williams Animal Center and Humane Society, Tennessee Valley.
