The Indiana County Chamber of Commerce announces a new initiative to recognize excellent work being done by Indiana County teachers and students. The initiative, in partnership with the Colonial Family of Dealerships, highlights various students and teachers from each of the seven county public school districts as well as Indiana County Technology Center (ICTC) throughout the school year, and will culminate with the Indiana County Excellence in Education Awards in the spring 0f 2023. One student and one teacher will be selected, with each being awarded a brand-new automobile donated by Colonial. Charles “CJ” Spadafora, owner of Colonial Motor Mart and Colonial Toyota, stated that he had been looking for a way to give back that would help to shape the future members of the community. “Our company wants to give back to the community and felt as if the next generation and the teachers who are educating them do not get a lot of recognition,” Spadafora explained. “This is our way of saying thank you for allowing our family to be here for over 75 years, and we hope that we will be here for at least 75 more.
The Spadafora Family Scholarship is a $5,000 competitive scholarship, donated by the Spadafora family of Indiana. The scholarship is open to a high school senior from an Indiana County ATHENA club.
This scholarship is established in memory of the late Chuck Spadafora, who initiated the ATHENA awards program in Indiana County and in Pennsylvania. Chuck Spadafora received the ATHENA Leadership Award in 2002. He was the owner-operator of Colonial Motor Mart; his son, Charles (C.J.) Spadafora is the current owner-operator of Colonial Motor Mart and actively supports the ATHENA program.
In October 2023, during the reveal ceremony for the 2023 Athena candidate, CJ Spadafora was honored by the members of the Athena program for the support of the Spadafora Family and the Colonial Auto Group over the years. Ellen Ruddock, 1987 first Indiana County Athena Award recipient noted: ““We are so grateful for their generosity and long-time commitment to opening doors of opportunity for so many emerging leaders. The Spadafora Family ATHENA Scholarship is an excellent way of demonstrating the commitment to leadership and excellence that the ATHENA Leadership model is all about,”
Two ATHENA Awards and the first $5,000 scholarship were presented Wednesday at the 2023 Emerging Women Leaders Luncheon at the Indiana Country Club.
Dr. Sue Rieg was named the 2023 Indiana County ATHENA Award recipient, Trista Long is the 2023 Indiana County ATHENA Young Professional Award recipient, and Rebekah Jalyn Gutierrez received the inaugural Spadafora Family ATHENA Scholarship.
The awards were announced during the 2023 Emerging Women Leaders Luncheon held Wednesday at the Indiana Country Club, which was attended by 140 members of the local community, including 62 high school students from ATHENA clubs at Indiana Area Senior High School and Marion Center Junior/Senior High School.
IUP Athletics vision includes offering a consistent nationally competitive program and to deliver a premier student-athlete experience for over 400 student athletes each year. Colonial has been a pillar of the IUP Athletics donor community for a very long time. Click here to learn more about the IUP Athletics program.
The Indiana Little League Complex is now sporting 3 brand new turf fields. It was a labor of love for the Colonial Auto Group and the Chuck Spadafora Family Fund, which provided $100,000 of the $275,000 cost. Colonial is proud to support the Indiana Little League as the Spadafora family has had a strong connection with this field for generations. The hope is that the new turf will provide more enjoyment for the little league teams of Indiana.
Starlit Night, hosted by the Summit Church, Indiana, PA is an elegant parade experience for individuals with special needs, ages 15+. The attendees participate as the STARS in the parade of cars down Philadelphia Street. Following the parade, the attendees enjoy an evening outdoors full of surprises, live music, dancing, dinner, and a drive down the red carpet. The elegant evening has truly bonded the Indiana community together over the past five years. The response continues to grow each year. Colonial is proud to sponsor this event and be a part of making this a night to remember! Visit the website to learn more about the Summit Church of Indiana.
Colonial is proud to be a support the Indiana Youth Hockey Association. This association promotes youth sports and aid families in affording travel hockey fees for the Indiana youth.
Colonial Motor Mart of Indiana recently made a donation of $10,000 to Family Promise of Indiana County as the non-profit celebrates its 10-year anniversary. Family Promise is an organization that brings the faith community together to help homeless and low-income families regain housing, independence and their dignity. The group fights homelessness and poverty by providing families with the necessary tools and resources to sustain a good life.
Fifty families from Indiana County Early Head Start received both entire Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Each meal was delivered personally by the family’s EHS educator. Colonial participated by donating hams for each family. For more information visit https://www.indianacountyheadstart.org/
United Way of Indiana County is a local non-profit organization whose goals are to bring resources into the Indiana County community that will help to strengthen it, and to ensure that those resources are used in such a way that the greatest impact can be achieved. In order for United Way to maintain that kind of track record, it relies on the solid spirit of volunteerism that thrives in Indiana County, and on the generous donations it receives. Colonial Motor Mart donated $100 for every vehicle sold in the month of December, 2020. This $10,000 donation has helped to make a greater impact on the health and strength of the community we call home.
Visit their website for more info on how you can help.
Colonial has been happy to support the Chevy Chase Community Center and local Soup Kitchen. This non profit organization engages the Indiana Community to empower the disadvantaged population of Indiana County with love, nutrition, education and involvement. They offer various programs that help to feed residents who need nutrition, which is a start to aiding them to meet many other needs. For more information on how you can help this organization, visit https://chevychasecenter.org/
The Indiana Free Library believes our community thrives when we work together for good. Mission: To serve and strengthen our community by supporting literacy and lifelong learning. The Vision: We are a premier library and cornerstone for community life. Values: We value accessibility, respect, service, knowledge, quality, and lifelong learning. CJ Spadafora and the Colonial Auto Group team support the Indiana Free Library. In 2023 C.J. Spadafora was conferred with an Amicus Libri Award as an outstanding supporter of the IFL.
A ribbon-cutting marked the opening of the Playground of Dreams outside the YMCA of Indiana County. The new playground was built in October 2022. CJ Spadafora and family were happy to support this initiative as a major financial supporter. The playground is designed for children of all ages. The design was created to accommodate people with disabilities.
Colonial Auto Group has been a proud sponsor of several organizations in the Indiana area. We are proud of the partnerships we have had with several local charities over the years.
