Phil Meador Subaru donates $12,000 to Idaho veterans

More than $118 million – that’s how much money Subaru’s “Share the Love” event has given to charities and non-profits throughout its ten-year existence.

The program continues to give. On Monday, the money raised from its 2017 “Share the Love” event was given to a local organization.

Monday, Phil Meador Subaru in Pocatello presented the Idaho Veterans Assistance League East with a check for $12,850.

The IVAL helps Idaho veterans and their families in any way possible. It also helps improve quality of living at veterans homes by donating money when needed. All money raised for the IVAL goes to be used wherever there is a need, such as funding activities for veterans or providing any additional resources they might need or that could help them.

The Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello is one beneficiary of the IVAL, and therefore, the donation from Phil Meador Subaru.

Josiah Dahlstrom, administrator for the veterans home in Pocatello, said the money donated Monday will go a long way and allow them to consider services for veterans they would never have dreamed before.

“It really allows us to look at the bigger picture and see, moving forward, what more can we do to offer superior support for the veterans and also those who are caring for them?” Dahlstrom said. “It’s a big deal, we certainly didn’t’t see it coming, nor would we have even be able to consider doing what we have plans on doing.”

“It’s really awesome, knowing what they do for the veterans in town and the area,” said Israel Walls, general manager of Phil Meador Subaru. “We’re really, really excited about being able to give them this money today.”

Subaru’s “Share the Love” happens every year from about mid-November and goes until about Jan. 2. During that time, for every new Subaru sold, $250 is donated by Subaru to go to national and local charities.

Walls said this year, Becky Meador suggested donating the money to help local veterans. So the entire Phil Meador staff voted on it and IVAL East was selected as the recipient.