Portsmouth Used Car Superstore

PORTSMOUTH ? Employees at the Portsmouth Used Car Superstore are rewarding customers who are in a giving mood with discount service rates.

The local dealership and service center is currently offering service discounts for people who donate to Toys for Tots. The program lasts until Dec. 15 and offers customers an oil change for $9.99 after they donate a toy.

Brad Solomon, an employee at the store, said the decision to take part in the holiday charity was made after reading about the higher than normal demand Toys for Tots has experienced this year due to the economic downturn.

"Since we are an auto dealership with a service department and a large sign out front, we figured we could certainly make an impact in this department," Solomon said.

Solomon said his fellow employees have also contributed toy donations.

He said the goal is to collect enough toys to fill three separate vehicles that will be dropped off to the charity on Dec. 16.

"Even if they do not want to purchase an oil change, they are still more than welcome to bring in a toy for the drive," Solomon said.

A mission of thanks

Event benefits troops, their families

By Chris Elliott

Seacoast Newspapers

August 18, 2008

PORTSMOUTH — The Seacoast said thank you on Sunday to soldiers and their families with entertainment, good food and lots of fun at the Operation Thank You fund-raiser at Red Hook Ale Brewery.

Operation Thank You is an annual event, now in its fifth year, that seeks to express gratitude to American soldiers. It is organized and administered by the owners and employees of The Meat House in association with Red Hook on Corporate Drive at Pease International Tradeport.

"This began five years ago in the wake of Abu Graib and other discouraging news from Iraq," said the event's marketing director, Chris Carragher, who is also employed with The Meat House.

"The first year we didn't attempt to use the event as a fund-raiser, but now we do. Two years ago we raised $2,500 for the Chaplain's Emergency Relief Fund. Last year we raised $4,000, and this year we should come close to doubling that," Carragher said.

The relief fund is a reserve of money for military families who need emergency financial help. Carragher mentioned the "Murphy's Law of military service."

"A guy gets deployed, and suddenly the furnace breaks down. It happens a lot, and that's what the Chaplain's Emergency Relief Fund is all about."

Lt. Colonel William Paige sought to stress that all military families, deployed or not, are eligible for these funds. "Any service member, active duty, Reserves, National Guard — if they have a New Hampshire connection and they need help, we try to see that they get it," he said.

The Meat House cooked up its marinated steak tips alongside pulled pork, chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs and potato and pasta salads. The Whatnot, Joppa Flats and Alli Beaudry handled the entertainment. L. Wynn Sound supplied professional reinforcement for the groups.

Racing Limos of New Hampshire had its NASCAR-painted stretch limousine parked on the grounds. Rye Airfield Skate Park had several ramps and jumps set up, and some of the park's best skaters put on a demonstration. There was an inflated jump house for kids, raffle items from area businesses, an off-highway vehicle demonstration, and more.

"This is going to be tough to beat, but the event keeps getting bigger and better. We're already thinking about next year," Carragher said.

Key Auto Group is proud to have sponsored Operation: Thank You! for the last 3 consecutive years!