‘Million Thanks' to troops at Ernst

COLUMBUS - In recognition of National Military Appreciation Month in May and the upcoming Memorial Day holiday, Ernst Auto Center is joining Buick, Pontiac and GMC dealerships across the country in an effort to help Americans say “thank you” to members of our military and their families. Now until May 31, the “A Million Thanks” program hopes to collect one million individual “thank you” cards and notes that will be sent to active duty soldiers, sailors and Marines in the coming weeks.

This year's program builds on a promotion that started in 2006, when Memorial Day sales at Buick-Pontiac-GMC dealers netted a donation of nearly $3.5 million for the VFW National Home for Children, which cares for the children and families of service members most affected by conflicts around the world.

“Last year's program really touched our hearts, but we felt that we could do even more this year,” said David Ernst, dealer principal of Ernst Auto Center. “We've continued to ask more and more from our active service members, as well as those who have already completed their service to our country,” continued Ernst. “A Million Thanks is a very simple, heartfelt way for every American to express his or her appreciation for those who risk their lives to protect us all.”

A collection box for individual messages is available at Ernst Auto Center, located at 615 East 23rd St. in Columbus. A large card is also displayed at the dealership for personal messages and signatures. After the notes have been collected, they will be delivered through the A Million Thanks organization, which was founded by California teenager Shauna Fleming, this year's spokesperson for National Military Appreciation Month.

Also until May 31, active military members and their families, along with military retirees, are eligible for special discounts on any Buick, Pontiac or GMC product.

More information about the work of the A Million Thanks organization is available at their Web site, amillionthanks.org. More information about Ernst Auto Center is available at www.ernstauto.com.