| Fred Baker Audi Donates $10,000 to MedWish for Haiti Relief Efforts Feb 7, 2010 source: Fred Baker Audi |
Cleveland, OH - Fred Baker, owner of Fred Baker Audi presented a check for $10,000 to MedWish International to help the organization's relief efforts in Haiti. "This money will enable MedWish International to extend their reach in providing urgent medical supplies to earthquake stricken areas of Haiti,'' said Tish Dahlby, executive director of MedWish. |
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Fred Baker, president of Fred Baker Porsche Audi, made a name for himself as a race car driver, an automotive technician and a car dealer - but also as a humanitarian.
Baker loves being associated with what he considers the greatest cars in the world, but he also enjoys giving back to the community. The Western Reserve Historical Society has benefited greatly from Baker's philanthropy.
Over the past two years, Fred Baker Porsche Audi has helped raise more than $430,000 for the WRHS. One of the major fund-raising events is the Barrington Napa Classic, hosted by the Barrington Golf Club in Aurora.
In 2006 and 2007, Baker presented the Barrington Napa Classic in association with the Cleveland Auto Dealers' Association. The Barrington Napa Classic is a luxurious event that features a sampling of the finest wines from Napa Valley and around the world.
In addition to fine wines, delicious cuisine, live music and fireworks, the Barrington Napa Classic features a classic luxury car collection.
More than half of the $300 ticket price for the opulent event goes to the WRHS. In 2007, more than $130,000 was contributed to the historical society - an increase from $100,000 in 2006.
Baker also was the title sponsor for the popular and critically acclaimed exhibit "Diana, A Celebration," at the Western Reserve Historical Society. The $100,000 sponsorship enabled the WRHS to host the exhibit, which displayed 150 objects from the ancestral home of Princess Diana's family, including 28 of her famous gowns.
Baker was compelled to sponsor the exhibit because he was born in England and has always had great respect for Diana's charity, spirit and devotion to others.
Part of the ticket proceeds from the exhibit went directly to the Cleveland-based charity Shoes and Clothes for Kids.
Fred Baker Porsche Audi also teamed up with the Cleveland Animal Protective League for the "Cayenne for Canines" program. Along with dog food, bedding and toys, the dealership provided the APL with a Porsche Cayenne for six months to deliver dogs for adoption.
Since 2000, Baker has supported the Audi Quattro Cup Golf Tournament, which has generated $7,000 annually for the WRHS and the Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland. The dealership also helped raise more than $5,000 for the Big Brother/Big Sisters (Portage County) Hole-in-One Golf Tournament and also provided a car as a hole-in-one prize.
HOW TO REACH: Fred Baker Porsche Audi, (440) 232-4700 or www.fredbakerporscheaudi.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FRED BAKER PORSCHE AUDI GOES GREEN WITH PPG WATERBORNE PAINT
Bedford, OH Nov 1, 2009 - Fred Baker Porsche Audi has taken a proactive stand in protecting the
environment by being the one of the first repair centers on the Bedford Auto Mile to go "green" with its
paint finishing system. The collision center recently switched to a low-VOC PPG waterborne basecoat from
a conventional solvent-based system.
"We knew this was the right thing to do," said Mark Rigby, Fixed Operations manager of Fred Baker
Porsche Audi. "Our shop was already environmentally-friendly - we recycle, we dispose of materials
properly - it was natural for us to take this next step. By using PPG's Envirobase®High Performance for
refinishing vehicles, we'll significantly reduce the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released
into the air, help improve the quality of our air and add to an overall healthier work environment."
VOCs are chemical compounds commonly used in paint coatings and cleaning products. When released into
the atmosphere they help create ozone and smog. When compared to a conventional solvent borne basecoat,
the PPG Envirobase® High Performance system can reduce basecoat-sourced VOC emissions by up to 80%.
Waterborne coatings are mandatory in California and Canada. They are not yet required in Ohio, so Fred
Baker Porsche Audi's move places it in the forefront of proactive green action.
Waterborne basecoat is the latest coatings technology typically used by automobile manufacturers to create
the original color on today's vehicles. According to PPG, the use of its waterborne color toners in collision
centers aligns with the motor manufacturer's process and allows metallics to lay out the same as they do
from the factory.
"This is a major technological advancement we've invested in," says Lenny Latko, the body shop manager
at Fred Baker Porsche Audi. "By using water-based coatings, we're part of the solution, not part of the
problem. Plus, while the paint is better ecologically, we wouldn't compromise on quality and the Envirobase
High Performance system proved outstanding for ease of application and color-matching. Our paint
technicians have been trained by PPG and are delighted with the change."
Kathi Minut, PPG territory manager says, "Fred Baker Porsche Audi's green commitment is impressive.
They didn't have to switch to water-based paint; they chose to. PPG is happy to provide the products and
support for their success."
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Fred Baker Porsche Audi's supplier is also enthusiastic about the switch. Says Brent Nero of D & S Color
Supply, which services the collision center "We congratulate Fred Baker Porsche Audi on their initiative.
Moving to PPG's waterborne coatings will keep them on the cutting edge of green awareness."
For further information please contact:
Mark Rigby
440-232-4700 ext 134
About Fred Baker Porsche Audi
Fred Baker Porsche Audi is located at 19400 Rockside Road in Bedford, OH. The company was established
in xxx. They are committed to providing the highest level of quality workmanship, premium customer
service and environmentally-conscious practices.
About PPG
Pittsburgh-based PPG is a global supplier of paints, coatings, chemicals, optical products, specialty
materials, glass and fiber glass. The company has more than 150 manufacturing facilities and equity
affiliates and operates in more than 60 countries. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange
(symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.
About D&S Color Supply, Inc
D&S Color Supply, Inc. is located in Middleburgh Heights, OH. Since 1954, they have been providing the
automotive, industrial and fleet industries with the highest quality paint products and service. Exceptional
sales, service and support have earned D&S Color Supply, Inc. the elite status of Platinum Distributor by
PPG, world leaders in automotive finishes. For more information, call Ben Ihde 216-252-1200.