Mungenast Automotive Family

Each year, Mungenast Automotive Family hosts a wide range of events, and 2012 is a very exiting year for us!  Below, we've listed all of our upcoming events by dealership:

Mungenast Lexus of St. Louis
Electronics Recycling Event - April 26, 9:00 am until 2:00 pm
Family Pet Adoption Event - June 2, 10:00 am until 2:00 pm
2013 Lexus ES Unveiling - August 20, 6:00 pm
Art From the Heart - September 27, 6:00 pm  


Mungenast St. Louis Acura
Electronics Recycling Event - April 26, 9:00 am until 2:00 pm
2013 RDX Unveiling - May 10, 6:00 pm
2013 ILX Unveiling - TBD
Ladies Indulge event - TBD
KlaasKids Child Safety Day - October 20, All Day (begins at 9:00 am)

Mungenast Hyundai
KlaasKids Child Safety Day - October 20, All Day (begins at 9:00 am)

Mungenast St. Louis Honda
KlaasKids Child Safety Day - October 20, All Day (begins at 9:00 am)

Mungenast Alton Toyota-Scion
KlaasKids Child Safety Day - October 20, All Day (begins at 9:00 am)

Mungenast Motorsports
Goodwill Grill Charity Event - April 14, 10:00 am
Customer Appreciation Off-Road Ride atWashita MX Park - April 15th, 9:00 am

Check back for more events as they are planned!

Mungenast Automotive Family proudly recognizes Co-Owner Ray Mungenast for his featured article on Automotive News, an industry-leading website dedicated to providing the latest automotive news to industry insiders, the media, and the general public.  Ray is the incoming 2012 chairman of the AIADA, or American International Auto Dealer Association, which is comprised of over 10,000 import dealer members nationwide.  Below you'll find an except of the article, but to read it in its entirety, the full article can be viewed on Automotive News.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois presented the TORCH Award to Mungenast St. Louis Honda on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at the Chase Park Plaza.

Mungenast St. Louis Honda was named among nine other local businesses and two charities to receive the award.

St. Louis BBB TORCH awards recognize companies and charities that are committed to exceptional standards for ethical business practices and service to their customers, employees, suppliers, and communities

Crystal trophies were given to each of the winners by the BBB.

Each year, the BBB seeks businesses and nonprofits for the TORCH Award that others want to emulate. All nominees must show creativity in their ability to manage customer expectations, provide excellent customer service and resolve disputes. They must demonstrate the ways they inspire their workforce to adopt and communicate their ethics and further their mission. They also embody truth in advertising and help foster ethics within their industry and community.

Customers can nominate companies and non-profits for the award, but companies and non-profits are also allowed to nominate themselves.

According to the BBB, benefits of receiving the TORCH Award include:
- Winners' names will be used in promotions for the 2011 TORCH Awards event on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, at the Chase Park Plaza.
- Winners will be recognized at the event. They will receive a personalized crystal trophy that can be displayed in their offices.
- After the event, winners will receive a TORCH Award logo and details on how they can promote their status as a winner in advertising, marketing and Web sites.
- Being named a BBB TORCH Award winner may add to an organization's reputation and prestige, confirming the confidence placed in it by its stakeholders.
- Potential for promotion on BBB home page with paid placement of photo representing the winner's company.

Mungenast St. Louis Honda is trying to raise funds to buy the OSO of Missouri a 2012 Honda Odyssey.

Please join us in our efforts on Sunday, Feb. 12, from 4-7pm at Orlando Gardens, 4300 Hoffmeister Ave., St. Louis, MO.
   
Meals, drinks and entertainment will be provided. Please contact Shan Herwig at (314)306-7266 or shanherwig@mungenast.com to purchase tickets.

    The roar of motorcycles echoed through the streets of south St. Louis County early this month as local riders geared up for the seventh annual Dave Mungenast Sr. Memorial Bike and Badge Ride.
    On Sunday, October 2, more than 250 motorcycle diehards rolled into Mungenast Motorsports to help support the BackStoppers, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to providing financial assistance and support to the spouses and children of fallen police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.
    Before the 100-mile journey to Ste. Genevieve, all participants took part in a commencement ceremony, where a military-style bagpipe performance was held; a minister blessed each bike in attendance; and a police escort rallied every rider to the streets.
    This year's event generated $25,000 for the BackStoppers, and over the last six years, more than $175,000 has been donated to the group.
    "We are so happy with this year's turnout," said Shan Herwig, business development manager at Mungenast St. Louis Honda. "This event would not be successful without the support of the community. Everyone who came out is truly making a difference in the lives of those who rely on the support of the BackStoppers. Hopefully we can continue to help those in need through this event."
    To see pictures of this year's ride, click here.
    You can also learn more about the event at www.bikeandbadge.org

    Do you want to try new meals for dinner or learn delicious desserts recipes to make at home?
    If so, then dive into Cooking for a Cure with the Mungenast Automotive Family, a cookbook made in cooperation with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help raise money and grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.
    Featuring over 650 mouthwatering, easy-to-prepare recipes submitted by Mungenast employees, customers, and Make-A-Wish families and staff, Cooking for a Cure with the Mungenast Automotive Family provides instructions, hints and ideas for preparing appetizers, dinners and desserts as well as other delectable dishes.
    Each cookbook costs $20, and 100 percent of the proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Missouri.
    Stop by the parts counter at Mungenast Lexus of St. Louis to pick up a copy.

    Mungenast Lexus of St. Louis raised $32 thousand for Friends of Kids with Cancer at the second annual Art from the Heart, exceeding its $25 thousand goal in donations.   
    More than 350 people attended the event on Thursday, September 22, to help find a cure for childhood cancers and support local kids who are affected by the disease.   
    Seventy paintings and drawings made by children in the Art Therapy program at Friends of Kids with Cancer were displayed that night from 6-9pm throughout the Mungenast Lexus of St. Louis showroom.
     Thirty-five children from the program even came by and watched as guests bid their artwork  in a silent auction.  
     "This was the first time that Mungenast Lexus of St. Louis partnered with Friends of Kids with Cancer for Art from the Heart," said dealer principal Ray Mungenast. "It was extremely touching to see so many people from the community come out to support the event. These kids are truly remarkable and it's astonishing what they go through each and every day. I am very thankful to be part of this event." 
    Following the response from the 2011 event, Mungenast Lexus of St. Louis is planning to partner with Friends of Kids with Cancer for next year's Art from the Heart.
    "The kids had so much fun, and the night was great," said Lisa Huber, customer relations manager at Mungenast Lexus of St. Louis. "They (the kids) were so happy to see their art professionally framed and displayed as if it were in a professional gallery. Some of them have already started working on pieces for next year's Art from the Heart." 
    Fine wine and hearty appetizers were provided throughout the evening by local sponsors, including: Brio Tuscan Grille, Bravo Cucina Italiana, Chill Cool Frozen Yogurt, Companion, J. Buck's,    M&L Foods, Major Brands, Lohr Distributing Co., Pi Pizzeria, Pretzel Boy's, Ruskova Vodka, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, and Weinhardt Party Rentals.
    Arch Framing & Design, Inc., Service Metal Products, Peabody Coal and the Engelhardt Family Foundation also helped make the second annual Art from the Heart a success.    All money raised at the event benefited Friends of Kids with Cancer, a local charity devoted to enriching the lives of children with cancer and blood related illnesses
    To learn more about the organization, please click here.  
    Pictures from the event can be seen on the Mungenast Lexus of St. Louis Facebook Page.

 

 

       On Oct. 1, 1993, 12-year-old Polly Klaas was taken during a sleepover from her California home by a man wielding a knife.
       For weeks, people across the U.S. searched for the young girl. National TV shows even covered her kidnapping.
   Two months later, when Richard Davis was arrested on November 30 for violating his parole, police discovered a break in the case after he admitted to the strangulation death of Polly.
   A year after his daughter's murder, Marc Klaas became a child advocate and established the KlaasKids Foundation.
    Since 1994, Klaas has traveled around the country with his foundation, sharing his daughter's story and spreading awareness about violent crimes targeted toward children.
    And on Saturday, Oct. 20, from 9am to 3p.m., the Mungenast Automotive Family will partner once again with the KlaasKids Foundation to host the 16th annual Child Safety Day, an event designed to fingerprint ID and digitally photograph as many young people as possible.
    The event also allows gives parents the opportunity to create a nine-point plan on what to do if their kid disappears, learn about child-friendly safety tips and receive a DNA collection kit.   There is no data basing. Parents retain the only record of the visit.
    Local fire and police officials will be on hand, and food and refreshments will be provided.
    This year's Child Safety Day is free, and will be held at four Mungenast Automotive locations, including: St. Louis Honda, St. Louis Acura, Mungenast Hyundai and Alton Toyota-Scion.
    In 2010, KlaasKids and the Mungenast Automotive Family provided photos and fingerprints to more than 600 local children. The company also raised over $9,000 to donate to the foundation.
    To help continue protecting local children and make the 2011 Child Safety Day a success, we need your help. Listed below are ways you can assist:
        - Co-Sponsorship: Donations made in excess of $2,000 to cover the cost and promotion of the event, with recognition given in all media formats.
        - Monetary Donation: Funds cover the cost and promotion of the event, with recognition given on sponsor board present at the event at all locations if donation is received by Sept. 25.
        - Silent Auction Donation: Recognition is included with the donated item and on the sponsor board if donated item is received by Oct. 1.
     Any contribution is greatly appreciated. Monetary donations should be sent to:
        Mungenast Automotive Family
        ATTN: KlaasKids Child Safety Day
        13700 Manchester Rd.
        Manchester, MO 63011
    ** Checks should be made payable to the Mungenast Automotive Family **
   All proceeds from the silent auction go directly to the KlaasKids Foundation. Silent auction donations are tax deductible, up to the value of the item.       Please visit www.klaaskids.org or the Mungenast Automotive Family Facebook Page for more information.

    While summer is notoriously slow for blood donations, Mungenast Lexus of St. Louis is working to change that.
    Sixty-two people stopped by the dealership on Friday, August 26, to participate in its semiannual blood drive, which helped touch the lives of 186 patients.
    Since 2008, the dealership has sponsored a blood drive every six months to benefit the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, the exclusive provider of blood products and services to 75 hospitals in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. This year was the fifth blood drive for Mungenast Lexus of St. Louis to hold.
    "We are so appreciative of everyone who came out to support the cause," said Lisa Huber, customer relations manager at Mungenast Lexus of St. Louis. "Each time we hold a blood drive, it seems like more people come out to participate. It's great to know that we help save lives. "
    Everyone who donated blood and participated in the event received free BBQ and deluxe car washes, which included a rinse, vacuum, wax and hand dry.
    Over the last decade, the Red Cross has reported a significant decrease in blood donations, finding that 5 percent of those who are medically able to give blood will actually do so.
    Local blood drives throughout the community, like those held at Mungenast Lexus of St. Louis, are one of the most popular ways to get donations, according to the Red Cross.
    If you have given blood in the past, or want to in the future, here are a few reasons why donations are an extremely crucial factor in helping save lives:
-  In less than an hour, one donation can impact the lives of as many as three patients
-  One out of five people who enter the hospital will need blood
-  Every three seconds, someone in the U.S. requires a blood transplant due to an injury or illness
-  Each day, nearly 11,000 people receive a blood transfusion
-  Many modern medical advances, such as organ donations and cancer treatments, would not be possible without blood transfusions

    Each July, when pine trees sprout on showroom floors and holiday decorations line the walls of Mungenast dealerships, the automotive family gives back to the community by feeding the hungry.
    For the last four years, the automotive family has held "Christmas in July," an event where Mungenast employees donate canned food to the St. Louis Area Foodbank. Staff members also raise money for the organization through yearly and monthly payroll deductions.
    In 2011, the Mungenast Automotive Family collected over 400 pounds of food donations and hopes to make next year's contribution even bigger.
    Since its origin of 1965, when Dave Sr. opened his first dealership in south St. Louis City, the Mungenast Automotive Family has become a local philanthropist.  Dave, Sr. and his wife, Barbara, even started the Dave & Barbara Mungenast Foundation in 1996 to provide assistance to local charities, including the St. Louis Area Foodbank.
    By holding events like "Christmas in July," the Mungenast Automotive Family ensures that Dave and Barbara's wish to help others comes true.
    For more information, please visit www.mungenast.com or www.stlfoodbank.org

    Recently Wings of Hope, a global Humanitarian charity headquartered in St. Louis, was given a 1950s pumper fire engine. Most charities would simply sell a donation like this, but not Wings of Hope. Its global work always includes a component which brings assets to an impoverished region that will help assist the poor reach self-sufficiency. Being able to put out a fire, when no city water system is available, is part of that work.
    The 1956 pumper fire truck was in good condition, but really needed some overhaul and new paint. The Monarch Fire Department took care of the mechanical needs and Mungenast Automotive Family Collision Assistance Center did all of the body restoration. Soon, the fire truck will be driven to Jacksonville, Florida by a crew of Wings of Hope volunteers and delivered to an ocean freighter for transport to Guayaquil, Ecuador. Once there, it will make the 15-hour trek over the Andes to a remote town called Arajuno, located in Los Amazonas del Oriente. 
    Wings of Hope's global efforts serve every continent except Antarctica. Each focuses strictly on Humanitarian endeavors. No political, racial or religious agenda is allowed. Over 3,000 people around the world serve as volunteers with more than 600 at the global headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. In 2011 Wings of Hope was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
    "We take a great deal of pride in making certain a minimum of .90 of every dollar given to this charity is given to the people we serve," stated Doug Clements, President. "Mungenast Automotive Family Collision Assistance Center's generous gift helps make those dollars stretch."
    Wings of Hope programs have expanded significantly since the charity was formed in 1962. Their domestic and international programs assist over one million people annually.
    Wings of Hope is a non-profit, non-sectarian and non-political organization operating 155 bases throughout the world. It was founded in 1962 to provide sustained efforts to deliver programs to provide for Peace and Hope. The largest volunteer charity in the Midwest, its work extends into domestic and international programs. Wings of Hope is the largest and oldest volunteer aviation charity in the world.