Free new car is ’13 United Way donation incentive Benny Yount to give vehicle to United Way donor BY RICHARD GOULD HICKORY — It’s been said that goodness is its own reward, and while that may be true, Benny Yount is giving it a little extra nudge

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BY RICHARD GOULD HICKORY — It’s been said that goodness is its own reward, and while that may be true, Benny Yount is giving it a little extra nudge this year. Yount, the president and CEO of Paramount Automotive Group, is donating a new car as an incentive for Fair Share donors to the 2013 United Way donation campaign.   Fair Share donors are those who give 0.6 percent of their annual income to the United Way. For someone making $8 an hour, that would total $96.   For a $40,000 per-year salary, the donation would be $240.   Those who qualify will be entered into a drawing to be held at Paramount in December. The winner will choose a new Volkswagen Jetta, a Hyundai Elantra or a Kia SX-Forte.   Lately Catawba County United Way has found itself in a situation common among nonprofits. When times are tough, people need more help. But when times are tough, people have less to give.   The local United Way’s goal is to increase giving in a time when it’s been a struggle to keep donations from falling off.   Last year’s total was $1.4 million. This year, they plan to top that amount, said United Way Board of Directors chair, Dr. Barry Redmond, who also is serving as this year’s United Way donation campaign chairman.

 

JEREMY DETTER/HICKORY DAILY RECORD Benny Yount (left), president and CEO of Paramount Automotive Group, jokes with Catawba County United Way President, Michael Blackburn, during United Way 2013 campaign kickoff reception Thursday afternoon.

 

“People need something to motivate them — they need something they can reach out and touch, and the gift of this car gives us that,” he said.

 

The donation campaign got off to a quick start during the kickoff event held at Paramount Automotive on Thursday afternoon when Yount, a longtime local philanthropist, announced the giveaway.

 

Yount owns eight car dealerships in North Carolina, and each sells a variety of car brands. When United Way approached him and asked for his help, saying yes was an easy decision that he made in a matter of seconds.

 

Yount said he knows United Way does vital work in the community and supports organizations like the Salvation Army, which makes a major difference in people’s lives.

 

 “It was an easy choice, really — we felt like this was a great opportunity to give back to the community,” Yount said. “There’s no greater gift than being able to give back.”

 

Employees at Paramount Automotive in Hickory unveil three cars from which a lucky United Way Fair Share donor will be able to choose, courtesy of Benny Yount. The three cars are a new Volkswagen Jetta, Hyundai Elantra and Kia SX-Forte.