This year’s Spice of Life award-winner for a large business has kept its motors running in Gilroy since 1981. South County Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram has donated to dozens of local charities over the years.
Still, when owner Mike Greenwood found out about the award, he said he was honored, but also a little shocked.
“When I think of large businesses, I don’t think of myself,” Greenwood said.
Large or small, there’s no denying the major impact the dealership has had. The dealership donates vehicles to the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program and the Gilroy Garlic Festival, said Angela Greenwood, Mike’s daughter and the business manager.
“There’s just so many I can’t think of all of them,” Angela said.
The car dealership at 6600 Chestnut St. is a family business for the Greenwoods, and it’s obvious that they view Gilroy as an extended part of their family.
“We love this community, of course. We’re a part of this community. We take care of our churches. We attend church here,” Mike said. “Everything we do is community.”
And the community has responded in kind. According to Susan Valenta, the president and CEO of the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce, the car dealership is one of the larger generators of sales tax dollars for the city.
“Many people do not realize how generous our local businesses are to local youth groups and nonprofit organizations,” Valenta said. “Consider that impact we can all make by shopping locally and reciprocate that generosity.”
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