Colie Claus fund has huge local impact on children

Pictured: Todd Bowsman, John Hayes, Brad Niehoff --- John Jones Auto Group employees

The John Jones Auto Group Colie Clause Fund is named after Kenny Coliapolis, who was a dedicated salesman at the Salem dealership who loved Christmas. He often helped those less fortunate by making sure they had a joyful holiday. Upon his passing, a few members of the sales team wanted to continue the Colie tradition and organized the Colie Claus Fund.  

They chipped in and bought Christmas gifts for about five families in the county. From 1998 to today, this fund has grown immensely. Now, John Jones has over 200 employees from all five dealerships who contribute money from their paychecks to help over 150 families in Southern Indiana. Once the money is collected, John Jones obtains names of children who need assistance from the Christmas Assistance Program and employees go shopping for them. Each child receives all of the necessities they need, but shoppers also add toys and things they will enjoy. 

In 2018, John Jones collected over $20,000 just from our own employees.  John Jones Auto Group is proud to keep this tradition going and looks forward to many years of helping our community.

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