March 30, 2012

Citizen of the Year

Roger Elswick didn't use the word 'community' in his businesses by accident. The owner of Community Toyota, Community Honda and Community Kia knew when he was setting up his business, he wanted to introduce more than just a new auto dealership to Baytown, he wanted to project a new way of doing business.

" I had not found another business or dealership that used the word community in their name," Elswick said. "I wanted to be a big part of this community, to be involved, to make a difference and make this community better."

Elswick said a driving force that has led him to give free cars to students, donate thousands of dollars to education projects, spend countless hours of his time with various service projects, in his love of God.

"It's extremely important to give back, because God has blessed me with so much," Elswick said. "There is so much of God's blessings around me, and I feel it's important to share those because we have so many in our Community that have so much need."

Elswick and his wife Kin are often found involved in Goose Creek CISD functions. He was a founding member and first president of the Goose Creek Education FOundation, and has helped them raise funds for teacher grants. Elswick said those grants assist teachers in ways that the district doesn't allow in its budget.

"The funds are for teachers that use unique ways to reach their students," Elswick said. "They apply for the grants, typically $1,000 to $2,500, for projects that otherwise wouldn't be funded."

Kathy Clausen nominated Elswick, and believes he is very deserving of the recognition. "Roger believes in Bayatown, education and giving back," Clausen said. "He wanted to give back to Goose Creek because education had done so much for him. He started giving a car each year to a student who had a perfect attendance. Did he ever make those students happy!"

Elswick said he stopped the free car program after five years, and worked to develop a scholarship program that benefited more than just one student. That scholarship program has a goal of reaching $150,000 this year, something Elswick is confident will be accomplished.

Clausen has no doubts that Elswick can do it. "He's been a driving force behin our foundation that has given over $180,000 to our teachers," Clausen said.

Creek Education Foundation, Elswick has also been a president of the Baytown Rotarians and spearheaded the first and very successful Shrimp and Catfish Festival, which earned $75,000 in its first year. He also serves on the Baytown Chamber Board and is a Partner in Education for Highlands Junior School. Elswick has also been a sponsor for programs of the Service League and the Americans with Disabilities Association.

BAHS’s ‘Mane Event’ raises more than $40,000

More than $40,000 was raised – $10,000 above the goal – for Bay Area Homeless Services by roasting Baytown businessman Roger Elswick and auctioning off a variety of items last weekend at their sixth annual gala.

Held at Marriott SpringHill Suites, BAHS Board President Pete Alfaro said “The Mane Event,” which was emceed by Baytown Mayor Stephen DonCarlos, “from all the feedback we’ve been getting was probably our best ever. The roast was excellent. Roger Elswick was a great sport.”

Community Toyota is a proud corporate sponsor of the Rotary Club of Baytown Shrimp & Catfish Festival!

Bay Area Homeless Services benefits from annual fundraiser

January 29, 2012

On Saturday, Feb. 25, the Bay Area Homeless Services will host “The Mane Event” at the Marriott Spring Hill Suites.

The program will feature community leaders, roast Roger Elswick of Community Toyota Kia Honda, and honor Bayer MaterialScience.

Toys for Tots Drive Happening Now Through December 11

A huge success!  Thank you Baytown and Houston.

November 25, 2011

Drop off a new, unwrapped toy at Community Toyota, between Friday, November 25, and Sunday, December 11, 2011.

Help the kids in our community!  Monetary donations accepted. Please make checks payable to Toys for Tots.  Visit Toys for Tots Web Site

Thank you, Roger Elswick and Community Toyota

October 26, 2011
As Posted on the The Vindicator News,  by Carol Skewes

TVE Directors paused the festivities during Saturday night's rodeo, Oct. 22, 2011, to thank Roger Elswick, owner of Community Toyota for their sponsorship of the 103rd Trinity Valley Exposition Fair & Rodeo.

Pictured fourth from right is Roger Elswick standing with his wife, Kim, and their daughter, Makenna, who will be four years old next week.

GCCISD Education Foundation launches annual campaign 10-14-11

The Goose Creek CISD Education Foundation Board of Directors has kicked off its annual fund-raising drive. This year’s drive is a collective effort to bring donations from corporations and individuals to fund innovative teaching grants and recognize teacher excellence for Goose Creek CISD schools.

The theme of this year’s fundraising drive is “Making Dreams Come True.” The goal is $150,000.

Photo above:  Roger Elswick, right, and his wife, Kim, co-owners of the Community Auto Group dealerships in Baytown, make a $12,500 donation to the Goose Creek CISD Education Foundation. At left is David Frazier, Goose Creek CISD Education Foundation Board president. 

Goose Creek CISD Rolls Out Bus Advertising

Goose Creek CISD recently joined several other Texas school districts to allow the sale of advertising space on the sides of the district’s school buses. School districts across the state, facing reduced funding by the state, have been increasingly looking for alternative sources to generate revenue. Goose Creek CISD began selling advertising messages on the outside of its buses this year in an effort to make up for some of the $11 million budget shortfall.

“Goose Creek CISD isn’t alone in its decision to advertise on buses. A number of school districts are placing ads on their buses. Doing so is yielding fiscal success,” said Superintendent Dr. Toby York. “The bottom line: Advertising revenue will work for the benefit of our students.” Other area district that sell advertising on school buses include Humble, Anahuac, Cy-Fair, Friendswood, Houston, Huffman, Magnolia, New Caney, Pasadena and Spring.

Houston-based Steep Creek Media has been awarded the Goose Creek CISD contract to sell the advertising, while the school district will receive the majority of the revenue. School bus ad sizes, placement and content are carefully monitored. Texas law allows advertising signs in three locations on a school bus — below the windows on the rear of the driver’s side and on both sides above the windows at the rear of the bus.

Also, the district is selling Stallworth Stadium opportunities. With the stadium opportunities, advertisers can sponsor a gate, hold an event night, place a banner in the stadium, and more. The district must approve all advertising, and no material deemed inappropriate will be allowed. For more information about school district advertising, call Steep Creek Media at 281-962-4390.

Toyota Launches “100 Cars for Good” Program with Donation to Houston Non-profit Dedicated to Missing Children

Houston Charity is Second Donation in Nation; First in Southwest for Toyota’s
New Non-Profit Philanthropic Program

As part of its 100 Cars for Good program, Toyota is donating a 2011 Toyota Prius to Laura Recovery Center (LRC), a Houston non-profit dedicated to preventing abductions and runaways, as well as recovering missing children. Houston’s LRC is the second non-profit organization in the nation and the first charity in the southwest region to receive a donated Toyota vehicle through 100 Cars for Good.

The Toyota 100 Cars for Good program is awarding 100 vehicles over the course of 100 days to 100 deserving nonprofit organizations based on votes from the public. 100 Cars for Good engages the public to help determine how corporate philanthropic donations will be awarded.

The LRC has helped 1,500 families with missing children, organized 100 ground searches for abducted children in 16 states, educated 3,200 law enforcement officers, presented abduction prevention education to 200,000 children and more. All services are provided free of charge. The center was founded by the parents of Laura Smither, who was 12 years old when she was abducted and murdered near her home in Friendswood in 1997. Protecting children is the priority for LRC. Visit www.lrcf.org for more information.

Since 1991, Toyota has contributed more than $500 million to non-profit organizations, and has always been guided by a strong belief in serving the communities where it does business. If you’d like to learn more, please visit http://www.toyota.com/about/philanthropy/.

Shrimp & Catfish Festival - Rotary Club of Baytown

Join us April 16 at the Houston Raceway Park.  Boiled Shrimp, Fried Catfish and all the fixins' served 11 am to 3 pm.  Entertainment, including a clown, a magician and a bounce house for the kids.  Buy your raffle tickets!   20 Prizes in the raffle drawing including a 2011 Toyota Camry LE Grand Prize courtesy of Silver Sponsor Community Toyota!  Auction at 12:30 pm.  Visit event website for more details

Goose Creek CISD Education Foundation Awards $23,000 in Teaching Grants

"These days, financial resources for educators are limited, and teaches sometimes have to rely on outside funds to fuel their creativity. We are pleased to offer support for programs and projects that might otherwise go unfunded in our schools."

Roger Elswick, Goose Creek CISD Education Foundation President and Owner Community Toyota Honda Kia Scion