Brunswick Subaru drives donations again for Feeding Medina County, Akron Children's Hospital

BRUNSWICK — For the sixth year in a row, Brunswick Subaru has donated to Feeding Medina County and the Akron Children's Hospital during the nationwide Subaru of America Share the Love Event.For over 11 years, through the Share the Love Event, Subaru of America and its local retailers have donated more than $140 million to national charities and more than 1,170 hometown charities like the ones chosen Tuesday."Well, I mean, we have really just committed to these places a while ago and we think they are both great causes," said Mike Walker, sales manager at Brunswick Subaru. "To us, it's all about the kids."Feeding Medina County and the Akron Children's Hospital will receive of $16,963 and $16,527, respectively."They've been donating to us since 2014," said Melody Costello, office manager for Feeding Medina County.Brunswick Subaru, 2992 Center Road, has developed a relationship with the two organizations over the years and its employees has gotten to know the people involved."You can tell just by talking to them that they really love what they do," Walker said. "They've been awesome."According to Sandy Hinkle, executive director at Feeding Medina County, the money will go into the organization's general fund. It is one of the largest donations the organization receives each year.To give an idea of how much Brunswick Subaru has helped Feeding Medina County, Costello said that, over six years, Brunswick Subaru has donated $176,058.80, which has helped pay for 48,635 weekender bags and has provided 145,905 meals for local children in need.This equates to about 340,445 pounds of food."It's the easiest fundraiser," Hinkle said."They do all the work, they sell the cars. And then, when it's time, we come and get the check and meet with them and try to give them something a little special from us."This year, members of Feeding Medina County brought thank you letters from some of the children who have received the weekender bags.The letters described how weekender bags have helped the children and their families.During the campaign donations come from customers and community members and donors get to decide which of the two organizations receive their donations.Contact reporter Alyssa Alfano at (330) 721-4063 or aalfano@medina-gazette.com.