WESTCHESTER, Ill., Dec. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. (IAA), a business unit of KAR Auction Services (NYSE: KAR), and the leading live and live-online salvage auto auction company, has raised over $142,000 for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) to help raise awareness and funds in the battle against childhood cancer.
In recognition of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September, IAA raised funds through a month-long fundraising campaign by selling lemonade onsite in over 100 IAA branch locations during auction sale days. As a top 100 fundraiser for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, IAA has raised over $400,000 to date since beginning company-wide fundraising efforts for the Foundation. In addition to cash donations, insurance companies and other donors donated proceeds from the sale of vehicles at IAA auctions that contributed to fundraising efforts.
"I am proud of the enthusiasm with which IAA employees contributed toward this great cause, and I am honored by the generosity of IAA's providers and buyers in donating vehicle sales that helped us surpass our fundraising goals by 42 percent," said John Kett, CEO and president, IAA. "Our team came together in creative and impactful ways – our Houston branch raised over $16,000 and our Orlando-North branch customized a yellow 2005 Harley Davidson with ALSF colors and decals that auctioned for $6,000 – all to support Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation in the fight against childhood cancer."
"Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation thanks IAA for its critical support in this important fight against childhood cancer," said Liz Scott, Alex's mom and Co-Executive Director of ALSF. "For the past few years, IAA has consistently been among our top fundraising companies, and we are pleased to continue our mission together in making a difference in the lives of children with cancer, supporting research into new treatments and cures for pediatric cancer."
This is the third year that IAA has committed to a corporate-wide partnership with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. In previous years, IAA participated in ALSF's National Lemonade Days in June, a collaborative initiative that raises nearly $1 million for childhood cancer research over the course of three days.
"Mercury shares IAA's commitment in actively supporting causes that give back to the local communities we serve," said John Dicken, National Director of MD Claims, Mercury Insurance. "We were able to raise $15,500 to fight childhood cancer by auctioning a Mercury Insurance donated 2015 Kia Sorrento at an IAA event in Anaheim. We're a proud partner of IAA and Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, and we hope these fundraising efforts move us one step closer to finding a cure to pediatric cancer."
About Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc.
Insurance Auto Auctions is the leading live and live-online salvage vehicle auction company and a business unit of KAR Auction Services (NYSE: KAR). Headquartered in Westchester, Illinois, IAA has over 160 auction facilities throughout North America offering towing, financing and titling services. With the most auction facilities in North America, IAA provides registered buyers from around the globe with millions of opportunities to bid on and purchase donated and salvaged vehicles. Since 1982, IAA has sold millions of vehicles through its weekly auctions for insurance companies, fleet and rental companies, financing companies, charity organizations and the general public. IAA also leverages its business model to assist charitable organizations in the US through its One Car One Difference® campaign. To date IAA has provided millions of dollars in additional funding to charities by assisting in the processing of donated vehicles. Learn how we are making a difference by visiting www.1car1difference.com. With a talented team of over 2,000 employees, IAA is committed to providing customers with the highest level of services in the salvage auto industry. Go to www.IAA-Auctions.com to learn more, and follow IAA on Facebook and Twitter.
About Alex's Lemonade Stand
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra "Alex" Scott (1996-2004). In 2000, 4-year-old Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer. Since Alex held that first stand, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of supporters across the country carrying on her legacy of hope. To date, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 charity, has raised more than $80 million toward fulfilling Alex's dream of finding a cure, funding over 450 pediatric cancer research projects nationally. For more information on Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, visit AlexsLemonade.org.
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SOURCE Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc.