The 2023 Subaru Love Promise Community Commitment Award
We've been nationally recognized for our dedication to our community and the Subaru Love Promise.
We're honored to receive the 2023 Subaru Love Promise Community Commitment Award. This award nationally recognizes Subaru retailers who are making the world a better place while demonstrating an outstanding commitment to supporting passions and causes in local communities. These efforts are focused in important areas such as the environment, community, health, education, and pets.
What is the Subaru Love Promise?
Subaru and our retailers believe in making the world a better place and the Subaru Love Promise is our vision of respecting all people. This is our commitment to show love and respect to our customers and to work to make a positive impact in the world.
How is Van Subaru dedicated locally to the Love Promise?
Our Love Promise can be seen in various partnerships with local charities and non-profits. We're grateful for the opportunity, not only to be a part of our community, but to serve it as well.
Love Promise Stories from Van Subaru
Subaru and Van Subaru believe in making a positive impact on the communities in which we live and work. We uphold that belief through our Love Promise Community Commitment. Every month, we select inspiring stories from customers and partners from around our area who strive to support our collective commitment and feature them here
Van Subaru Love Promise® goes along way in partnering with KC Pet project - stephanie S
Because of Van Subaru and their customers, we are able to take care of our four legged friends that are left out in the cold. Van Subaru has partnered with us the last several years and are helping us change the life of these animals. On the afternoon of Friday, March 31st a dog was dropped off at the gate of our parking lot. Luckily, some of our Animal Services Officers had just returned from the field and were still outside to witness the dog struggling to walk. They ran to the dog and immediately noticed that the dog was going through some kind of medical crisis. He was noticeably underweight and was having a neurological event that was causing him to seize. He was rushed to our vet clinic where the team dropped everything to provide critical care for this unexpected patient. From running several tests to providing the simplest of things, like comfort, everything was done to give this dog a fighting chance. As the day came to an end, things looked grim, and we were less than hopeful that he would make it through the night. The next morning our entire team was shocked to see that not only had he survived the night, but he was alert and soliciting attention! Today, Stanley is able to walk on his own, happy and even ready for adoption! We are not sure what caused the medical event with Stanley. What we DO know is that the love and care that was given to Stanley seconds after he was dropped off is what saved this precious life.
Van Subaru and reStart giving back to Kansas City! Caring for those around us. - jonathan r
Van Subaru loves to care!! Van Subaru has partnered with us for the last four years. Through this partnership we have handed out thousands of blankets and this year we will be able to give out over 5,000 pairs of socks. For over 40 years, reStart has been a leader in the fight to end homelessness in Kansas City. In the early 1980s, reStart began as an overnight emergency shelter for men and has since grown to one of the largest providers of services to individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness in the greater Kansas City area. With 17 programs in 12 locations in two states, reStart is proud to provide an array of housing and support services to all populations in need. From short term emergency shelter for single adults, to family shelter, to transitional housing, to permanent housing, reStart is able to provide housing options to people regardless of the barriers they face. In addition to housing services, restart provides employment training and placement, educational opportunities, and mental health and substance use support to all program participants. reStart serves all populations of people including unaccompanied youth, families, single adults, veterans and people living with HIV. reStart relies heavily on volunteers and donations from the community to provide the quality services we are able to deliver. Partnerships, like the one with Van Subaru are essential as we continue to change the lives of Kansas City’s most vulnerable.
Van Subaru and their customers dedicated to making sure Animals are loved and have a safe place! - Stephanie S
Van Subaru of Kansas City and Subaru Loves to Care have partnered with us for the last few years. The loyalty and compassion of Van Subaru’s customers. Van Subaru has partnered with us and has been able to donate over 35,000 these last few years. This partnership with Van Subaru and their customers have made it possible for thousands of animals to be cared for and adopted from us. Ilsa, a 3-month-old pit bull terrier made her way to KC Pet Project by a Good Samaritan who found the puppy behind a gas station, next to a dumpster, and in frigid temperatures. She was homeless and visibly sick. KC Pet Project staff took one look at little Ilsa and immediately jumped into action and admitted her to the Parvovirus Ward for intensive care. Parvo is a deadly virus that attacks the immune system and can often lead to life threatening dehydration. If there’s one thing to know about Parvo, it is that it cannot be cured through medical intervention but rather the animal must fight to overcome the virus. The key to supportive care that helps parvo puppies overcome the extremely resilient virus is nutrition - the veterinary staff at KC Pet Project helps to provide IV fluids and manage electrolytes. More specifically, parvo virus damages the lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and the GI tract will not heal unless food flows through it. Unfortunately, very sick parvo puppies don’t want to eat, and that was the case with Ilsa. KC Pet Project’s registered Veterinary Technician Leah Ivey placed a nasogastric tube (NG tube) in Ilsa that allowed the veterinary team to give liquid nutrition through the tube – like the Ensure liquid diet that some humans use – while bypassing the need for them to eat on their own. This lifesaving therapy worked, Ilsa started eating on her own. As Ilsa health started to improve, staff would find her with her tail wagging, seeking attention, and wanting to cuddle up with the clinic team. After 15 days, Ilsa graduated from the KC Pet Project Parvo Ward and was adopted the next day!
Subaru Loves to Care & Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Stephanie E
In June of 2022, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) - Kansas City partnered with Van Subaru of Kansas City in the Subaru Loves to Care program. Subaru retailers across the country come together to provide blankets and messages of hope to patients undergoing cancer treatment at local hospitals and treatment centers. On June 15th LLS and Van Subaru presented Children's Mercy Hospital and delivered 80 blankets! They were met by Stephanie Easly, Manager, Philanthropic of Philanthropic Corporate and Community Volunteerism. The blankets and crafts were distributed to patients to provide much needed hope, love and warmth to those fighting cancer and their families.
Alazay finds her forever home through the partnership of Van Subaru and Subaru loves to Care. - Stephanie S
Van Subaru of Kansas City and Subaru Loves to Care has partnered with us for the last few years. This partnership with Van Subaru and their customers have made it possible for thousands of animals to be cared for and adopted from us. “Alazay arrived at KC Pet Project as a stray at the age of 11 years on July 5th, 2022. While she did have a microchip, her previous owner was unable to care for her, meaning Alazay had no one to return to. Alazay came to our shelter underweight, weighing just 30 pounds, with itchy and irritated skin from allergies, signs of heart disease, and lameness in one of her back legs. Quickly we realized that she might not be able to recover, especially at her age. But our veterinary staff worked tirelessly to find the cause of her leg issues and a quick treatment plan. The vet clinic found the pain to be from severe arthritis and additional damage to her knee, creating pain while Alazay would move her leg. We worked swiftly to ease her pain and started her on a regimen of multiple medications and a bed rest routine to combat her ailments. Alazay remained at the vet clinic from July 5th through August 29th, when she then went to live with a foster family. Alazay spent the next couple of months in her foster home, waiting for an adopter to come cuddle her for the rest of her days. Her foster home reported the following about Alazay- “Alazay (Alli) is a sweet loving senior lady that loves to cuddle with her humans. She is 11 years young pitty mix and has so much love to give. Her zest for life is undeniable. One of her favorite things to do is cuddle up on the couch for a long nap next to her favorite humans. She is patient and smart. She loves to go on short walks and is curious about her surroundings, but being a senior, Alazay prefers to have time to just relax at home.” In her foster home, her medications proved to be successful and were positively impacting her health, and we even saw Alazay gain over 10 pounds, finally maintaining a healthy weight! However, due to unforeseen circumstances, Alazay had to leave her foster home at the end of October. She arrived back at KC Pet Project to wait for her new family. Miraculously, on October 22nd, the day after she was returned to the shelter from her foster home, a wonderful adopter walked through our doors, requesting a senior dog. Alazay was her first choice. We were happy to offer to fill Alazay’s medications for the 6 months free of cost following adoption, as we wanted to help set up this sweet dog for her new chapter in her life. After waiting for over 100 days for her forever home, she finally found her happily ever after.”
KC Pet Project - Alazay and her Happy Ending - Stephanie S
“Alazay arrived at KC Pet Project as a stray at the age of 11 years on July 5th, 2022. While she did have a microchip, her previous owner was unable to care for her, meaning Alazay had no one to return to. Alazay came to our shelter underweight, weighing just 30 pounds, with itchy and irritated skin from allergies, signs of heart disease, and lameness in one of her back legs. Quickly we realized that she might not be able to recover, especially at her age. But our veterinary staff worked tirelessly to find the cause of her leg issues and a quick treatment plan. Our veterinarians found the pain to be from severe arthritis and additional damage to her knee, creating pain while Alazay would move her leg. We worked swiftly to ease her pain and started her on a regimen of multiple medications and a bed rest routine to combat her ailments. Alazay remained at the vet clinic from July 5th through August 29th, when she then went to live with a foster family. Alazay spent the next couple of months in her foster home, waiting for an adopter to come cuddle her for the rest of her days. Her foster home reported the following about Alazay- “Alazay (Alli) is a sweet and loving senior lady that loves to cuddle with her humans. She is 11 years young pitty mix and has so much love to give. Her zest for life is undeniable. One of her favorite things to do is cuddle up on the couch for a long nap next to her favorite humans. She is patient and smart. She loves to go on short walks and is curious about her surroundings, but being a senior, Alazay prefers to have time to just relax at home.” In her foster home, her medications proved to be successful and were positively impacting her health, and we even saw Alazay gain over 10 pounds, finally maintaining a healthy weight! However, due to unforeseen circumstances, Alazay had to leave her foster home at the end of October. She arrived back at KC Pet Project to wait for her new family. Miraculously, on October 22nd, the day after she was returned to the shelter from her foster home, a wonderful adopter walked through our doors, requesting a senior dog. Alazay was her first choice. We were happy to offer to fill Alazay’s medications for the 6 months free of cost following adoption, as we wanted to help set up this sweet dog for her new chapter in her life. After waiting for over 100 days for her forever home, she finally found her happily ever after.” Thank you, Subaru!
Van Subaru goes above and beyond to support our future! - Anjanette S
Van Subaru has gone above and beyond to support our future and community. Chouteau Elementary cannot thank Van Subaru enough for adopting our school and teachers. The beginning of a new school year is an exciting time for teachers. They are preparing and organizing their classroom in anticipation for our students to enter within days. These long days spark new ideas that result in more transactions at the store or orders online. So, imagine a warm August day as teachers are working quietly in their classrooms with only an hour or two left in their day. That's when Van Subaru appears with an exciting surprise. Several of our new teachers were gifted a wonderful basket of school supplies and treats, along with a certificate for additional funds to support our students! Total shock on their faces and speechless thank you reactions is what Van Subaru received. The additional supports with funds have provided new music instruments and new supplies in our art room. Funds and purchases like these mention impact close to 400 diverse students. Grade level teachers use their funds to purchase new mentor books for lessons and school supplies that will support students in years to come. Again, we cannot thank Van Subaru enough for choosing our Chouteau community. Your promise to love and caring for our community does have an impact. Thank you! Chouteau Elementary
Subaru Loves Pets-The Story of Zoran - Teresa J
Thanks to our Subaru Loves Pets partnership with Van Subaru of Kansas City we have been able to place many pets in their forever homes. Here is just one of the many happy endings with the Support of Subaru and Van Subaru of Kansas City. – The Story of Zoran Zoran the dog (right) was abandoned in the backyard of a home for weeks after his family moved away, chained with a very heavy chain and padlock around his neck. He was extremely emaciated, and his paw pads were injured and bleeding. He was very scared and in a lot of pain when KC Pet Project’s Animal Services Officer McGehee rescued him. Although, he was in a safe place at our shelter, Zoran had a hard time dealing with the stressful life in a kennel. Anytime Officer McGehee had a chance, she would take Zoran into the Animal Services administrative area for a quiet place to sleep and get some attention from the staff. His personality really began to blossom. Other Canine Care staff members cared for and walked Zoran daily, making sure he got regular breaks from his kennel with Dog Day Outs - day trips away from the shelter for a trail walk or just a nap on a couch. Zoran quickly learned lots of tricks too, which worked his mind and managed his stress. A woman arrived at KC Pet Project’s shelter several weeks later stating she “just wanted to help a dog in need.” We immediately thought of Zoran. Officer McGehee was there when Zoran hopped in the car with his new mom, and our KC Pet Project “village” is proud to have all worked together to help this once abandoned dog get a second chance at a loving home. This is just one of thousands of lives that have been helped and given a second chance through KC Pet Project.
Tales of an Underdog - 3rd Time's a Charm - Stephanie S
Valkyrie, a warrior’s name for a dog who has faced a lot of adversity in her life. Valkyrie, a 4-year-old terrier, pit bull mix, came to Kansas City Pet Project for the first time in June 2021 through our Animal Services Division because of her first owner passing away. She had cherry eye (left eye) which is a large red bulging, inflamed tear gland that protrudes out of the corner of one eye, heartworms, and was terrified. Our incredible veterinary team at KC Pet Project examined her eye and determined that due to infection, it had to be removed. We immediately began her heartworm treatment and at no cost to her future adopter. At only 4 years old, she was facing some tough circumstances, but she remained spirited. Her cropped ears and one eye endeared her to everyone. Valkyrie quickly became a staff favorite and was adopted on July 14th after over a month at the shelter. Unfortunately, Valkyrie found herself back in our care on September 22nd. Her prior adopter decided the best thing to do for sweet Valkyrie was to return her to KC Pet Project when they couldn’t afford care. While at the shelter, Valkyrie worked hard to get over her shy and fearful nature and spent a lot of time in our retail store with her very special friend Bria, our store manager. Bria had this to say about Valkyrie: “What I loved most about Valkyrie is that despite everything she had been through it was almost as if she knew what she was worth and what she deserved and she was willing to wait for it. Even with only one eye, her soulful looks seemed to say ‘It’s okay, I’ll be patient.’” Valkyrie finally had her lucky day during our Subaru Loves Pets event with our incredible partner Van Subaru in Kanas City. She was adopted by an amazing family who provides so much support and love to this sweet girl. We are hopeful and confident that Valkyrie has found her permanent family and that for her, 3rd time’s a charm!
Subaru Loves to Care Blanket Delivery - Amy M
On June 26, 2019 John Wickwire and Ricky Ward of Van Subaru delivered blankets and craft kits to Children's Mercy Hospital. They were joined by Carli Good, Executive Director of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Drs. Erin Guest and Keith August, both pediatric oncologists at Children's Mercy Hospital. Blankets and craft kits will be delivered to patients undergoing treatment for cancer. We were able to share with Shelly Nicoll, Department of Philanthropy about Subaru's support nationally throughout the Subaru Loves to Care program and Subaru CEO Tom Doll's commitment to raise more than $1M for LLS this summer through the Light the Night Walk. Shelly had shared that just prior to our visit today she had received news that a relative had just lost their battle to leukemia.
