The 2023 Subaru Love Promise Community Commitment Award

The 2023 Subaru Love Promise Community Commitment Award

We've been nationally recognized for our dedication to our community and the Subaru Love Promise.

We're honored to receive the 2023 Subaru Love Promise Community Commitment Award. This award nationally recognizes Subaru retailers who are making the world a better place while demonstrating an outstanding commitment to supporting passions and causes in local communities. These efforts are focused in important areas such as the environment, community, health, education, and pets.

What is the Subaru Love Promise?

Subaru and our retailers believe in making the world a better place and the Subaru Love Promise is our vision of respecting all people. This is our commitment to show love and respect to our customers and to work to make a positive impact in the world.

The 2023 Subaru Love Promise Community Commitment Award
The Subaru Love Promise
Did Thelen Subaru go above and beyond, provide exceptional service, or support causes that are important to you? We'd love to hear about it.
Love Promise Poster
Did Thelen Subaru go above and beyond, provide exceptional service, or support causes that are important to you? We'd love to hear about it.

Love Promise Stories from Thelen Subaru

Subaru and Thelen Subaru believe in making a positive impact on the communities in which we live and work. We uphold that belief through our Love Promise Community Commitment. Every month, we select inspiring stories from customers and partners from around our area who strive to support our collective commitment and feature them here.

Thelen Subaru Donates Nearly 200 Coats to Good Samaritan Rescue Mission of Bay City - Matt H.

Thelen Subaru partnered with Operation Warm to provide nearly 200 coats to Good Samaritan Rescue Mission of Bay City this winter! The coats came in all styles and sizes, and are intended for children staying at the shelter. Thelen General Sales Manager Kelly Isbell visited Good Samaritan to deliver the coats, along with some of his staff.

Rescue Ministries of Mid-Michigan

Barefoot Open for Parkinson's - Lisa M.

The Barefoot Open for Parkinson’s was started 6 years ago as a fun event to support our friends and loved ones with Parkinson’s. We host a golf outing, silent auction, and raffles at the event. Games are played on the course and a great time is had by all. This year we had a Jimmy Buffett theme, dressed up and decorated carts. Every year we are very grateful to receive a generous donation from the Thelen family and Thelen Subaru to support our event.

New Roof, New Beginnings - Danielle K.

New Beginnings Church would like to thank Thelen Subaru for their donation to our building project. Since the establishment of our church in 2008, our building has needed much repair. From the leaky roof to the cracked walls, renovation was necessary. The funds were used to repair the building interior and helped with installation of a new metal roof. Thank you again, Thelen Subaru!

New Beginnings Church

Kawkawlin River Watershed Association & Thelen Subaru - Bay City MI - Tracy K.

The Kawkawlin River Watershed Association is a local non-profit that not only obtains grants for dredging and other things like filter strips for farm fields to help the water quality of run-off, but we also help mark the channel into the Saginaw Bay (part of Lake Huron) and host a river clean-up event each year along with one annual fundraiser, the annual KRWA Pirate Paddle. For the past 9 out of 10 years since the event started, Thelen Subaru and Anthony Christie from the dealership has supported our event, not just by donating a kayak to raffle off, but Anthony also participates in the event and helps spread the word. Over the past 10 years our event has grown from about 30 participants to almost 300, and our social media posts have reached thousands of people – who know who we are and what we do. It takes the support of the community and especially our local businesses to make our events and our organization a success, and Thelen Subaru is one of the best!!

Kawkawlin River Watershed Association

Chalk Walk Art Festival + Thelen Subaru // Bay City, Michigan - Megan K.

Each year, our organization (Studio 23/The Arts Center) hosts our annual Chalk Walk Art Festival. During this all-day event, artists of all ages and abilities gather in the streets of Downtown Bay City and show off their chalk art skills. The streets are dedicated to the art of these individuals – we close off the streets, use parking slots as individual spaces for each artist, and let them release their creativity and spunk onto the pavement. We are blown away each year at the participation and artistry that they bring to the event. There are three age groups for the competition itself: youth, teen, and adult. This year, we had 17 youth participate, 23 teens, and 17 adults, with a total of 57 artists! All artists begin at 10:00am, and each group has a different ending time dependent upon their age. Youth ends at 2:00pm, teens at 3:30pm, and adults at 5:00pm. Awards are announced shortly after their end times by volunteer judges from the community. In addition to the chalk art competition, we also host vendors that are able to share and showcase their own creativity and media. We are passionate about supporting our local artists, and this is one way we are able to do that. In the heart of Downtown Bay City, in Wenonah Park, we have volunteers that run a "Kids Area" that is filled with yard games, chalk, bubbles, face painting, and more. This not only allows younger children to participate in the act of creating, but also the general public at large. After seeing so many artists at work, most visitors are inspired to create their own chalk art, and we are thrilled to be able to offer an area specifically for that. Last, but certainly not least, we hire local musicians to come and play live music during the event. This year, we were happy to host Cameron Munholland, The JR Band, Hiding Salem, and Vera Noir. Each band had their own distinct style in music-making, and we love to support our local music artists as well as visual artists. Thelen was our title sponsor for the event, and has been for the last several years. We are so grateful for their dedication and support to Studio 23 and our mission of making the visual arts relevant and accessible to all. Their support means we are able to continue our mission and offer award money for the winners the competition, free "paint and take" projects for the public to participate in, and make the day-long event run smoothly. We appreciate Kelly, Anthony, and Lynn for all of their energy, passion, and dedication to Chalk Walk and the Bay City community as a whole. We are so grateful! Kelly has been so wonderful to work with throughout the annual planning process with Chalk Walk, and Anthony shows up with more enthusiasm for art and the day than we ever could or would have expected. Lynn is exceptional with the coordination of both organizations, and we are so appreciative of each and every individual at Thelen Subaru in Bay City, and every interaction we have with them is wonderful. Thank you again for supporting our Chalk Walk Art Festival, and supporting Studio 23's mission of making the visual arts relevant and accessible to all. YOU make a difference in our community.

Studio 23

Subaru Loves Learning - John Glenn High School - Kevin B.

John Glenn High School was chosen to be part of the Subaru Loves Learning® initiative. Anthony Christie from Thelen Subaru presented teachers with the Subaru Adopt a Classroom bus and certificates to celebrate the donation to their individual classrooms. Our teachers received a generous donation of $500 each ($3,000 total) for purchasing new classroom resources and teaching supplies to help support our students in their learning. We are so thankful that Thelen Subaru chose to bless our school with this donation.

John Glenn High School

Home Forever - Karma P.

On October 7th, The Humane Society of Bay County and Thelen Subaru in Bay City, MI partnered to host an adoption event. The staff was extremely helpful and loved having the pets in the building! We came with a team of volunteers and pet fosters who all did an amazing job taking care of the pets while we waited on our adopters to arrive. One after another people came to see the pets, and we had several successful adoptions! At the end of the event 4 dogs were placed in their forever homes and we even had one cat find a home as well! Although some people were not ready to adopt on the spot, they promised they would head our way this month so they can meet their new best friend. Just a few hours after the event 7 of the kittens we brought to Thelen were adopted. We had an amazing time partnering with Thelen Subaru in Bay City, and we thank them for the opportunity to help pets find forever homes.

Humane Society of Bay County

Cancer Patients Receive "Warm Hug" - Denise O.

Patients served at the MyMichigan Medical Center Midland's Infusion Center will be wrapped in love during some of their most difficult days of their cancer journey. Thank you Thelen Subaru for thinking of us and providing support to our patients. Your gift of blankets will be like a "warm hug" for all those receiving chemotherapy. Thank You!

Thelen Subaru Donates More Than $70,000 to Hometown Charity - Matt H.

Thelen Subaru of Bay City, MI, chose Good Samaritan Rescue Mission as its Share the Love® Event hometown charity years ago. Since then, Good Samaritan has been the recipient of Share the Love donations amounting to more than $70,000! With those funds, Good Samaritan has been able to provide more than 2,000 nights of emergency shelter to homeless men, women and children in the Bay area. Pictured at the 2022 Share the Love Event check presentation is Thelen Subaru General Manager Joseph Thelen and General Sales Manager Kelly Isbell, along with Rescue Ministries CEO Dan Streeter. Mr. Isbell is also a volunteer at Good Samaritan and a local pastor with an incredible personal story. Rescue Ministries is very thankful for Thelen Subaru's generosity and partnership over the years. It has truly made a difference for the hurting and homeless in the community.

Good Samaritan Rescue Mission of Bay City

Thankful to Thelen - Matt H.

Good Samaritan Rescue Mission of Bay City, MI, serves homeless men, women and children, and teens seeking shelter in our area. We are so thankful to our local Subaru dealership, Thelen Subaru, for donating to us over the years! This week we were visited by Thelen's General Sales Manager Kelly Isbell and Internet & Marketing Manager Danielle Harrington. They delivered four large boxes of socks for our guests. These will immediately be put to good use in our shelters. Thanks once again to everyone at Thelen Subaru for helping care for our guests. God bless you!

Rescue Ministries of Mid-Michigan

Bangor Lincoln Elementarty School- Subaru Loves Learining-Anthony Christie - Felicia P.

Bangor Lincoln Elementary School was chosen to be part of Subaru Loves Learning. Anthony Christie from Thelen Subaru presented students and teachers with the Subaru Adopt a Classroom bus. Which gives teachers access to a school fund of $3000 to utilize for purchasing of new books and teaching supplies that will support our students in their learning. Mrs. Francis, first grade teacher was able to purchase math games to help support math curriculum. Students loved playing the new games.

Bangor Lincoln Elementary

Trash Box Kittens - Karly F.

Thank you to Thelen Subaru for participating in Subaru Loves Pets! During the month of October, our Humane Society of Bay County was able to reach our goal of 31 pets being adopted. Every year we sadly encounter many calls asking us to save a beloved pet. It’s in our power to accommodate as many as we can, however, there are times we don’t have the capacity or funding to do so. Some stories tug at your heartstrings a little more, especially when it comes to those who have a fighting chance. This October’s underdog story is one that has gained a large following, our “Trash Box Kittens.” This October we received a call from a woman who stopped to remove a dead cat from the side of the road. With this, she, unfortunately, discovered a duct-taped box that contained five kittens laying next to the deceased cat. Although our Humane Society was at capacity, we knew we needed to act immediately if they were going to have any chance at survival. Upon arrival, these kittens were in terrible shape and would undergo a week in critical care. It was with a heavy heart that two kittens did not make it. However, we were overjoyed that we could save three kittens - Faith, Hope, and Love. After a length of recovery, care, and awareness these beloved kittens were able to find their forever homes. Thank you again to Thelen Subaru for all your assistance with gaining awareness during the month of October and allowing us the ability to cover adoption fees.

Humane Society of Bay County

Bella’s Journey - Bonnie K.

Bella: Young Dog Who Chewed Off Leg After Being Tangled Has Best Life at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. Bella, a 1-year old Pitbull mix, was rescued by Saginaw County Animal Care and Control (SCACC) Animal Control Officers (ACOs) in August 2021, after being found in a life-threatening situation. After an amazing journey of two surgeries and months of TLC by staff and volunteers, Bella was transported in a brand new 2022 Outback Limited by two of our ACOs to a better life at Best Friends Animals Sanctuary – complements of THELEN SUBARU! She and the ACOs travelled nearly 2000 miles to the Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. THELEN donated the vehicle AND funded the gas for the round trip! Amazing! Bella was originally found entangled in a steel tether with no food, water or shelter. She was left abandoned and unable to move. Laying in the dirt in the backyard of a residence, in a desperate attempt to free herself, she chewed off her own leg at the thigh. There was a bag of dry dog food within Bella’s sight however it was out of her reach. She could only view the bag of food but no benefit from it because she was so severely entangled in the steel tether; sadly another form of torture. A U.S. Postal Carrier was flagged down by a local neighboring resident who asked for help for Bella after seeing her in this perilous situation. The Carrier called 9-1-1; central dispatch activated the Saginaw City Police Department officers and our ACOs. Upon the ACOs arrival they saw the dire seriousness of Bella’s plight. She was severely entangled, unable to move, missing her hind leg and the tether was wrapped tightly around her remaining leg – it was also at risk of being dismembered. She seemed to have known they were there to help her. A better life began for her that moment. PEOPLE.COM carried this story in the national news. In the article, we asked for a trauma-specific rescue for Bella due to her food aggression issues (understandable after she had to chew her own leg off to survive.) This article caught the attention of The Best Friends staff. They opened up dialogue with us with hope to help Bella with resources. The Best Friends organization reviews each story and each intake request on an individual basis. After reading Bella’s story and reviewing her history, including behavior observations and medical reports, the staff felt that Best Friends could meet her needs at the Sanctuary. Best Friends staff truly believed Bella could be rehabilitated at the facility and potentially adoptable after healing physically and emotionally from her past. Plans were put into motion to get her to the Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. Bella, and over two dozen people (to include our SCACC staff, volunteers, long time Best Friends volunteers and supporters Bob & Pat Schust and THELEN reps Danielle Harrington and Zach Webster of Thelen Subaru, Thelen Auto Group, Bay City, Michigan) participated in her send-off Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. It was joyful! Bella’s friends, fans and local print and broadcast media organizations were on hand at her send-off The Schusts sponsored the cost of the trip and THELEN SUBARU provided the transport vehicle (a 2022 Outback Limited!!!) and covered the cost of the gas! Amazing! ACOs Abbe Balderstone and Desi Sage (who responded to the original call and rescued Bella) made the trip to deliver her to the sanctuary. A warrant was issued for the person responsible for the lack of care to Bella. She was arrested and the case is pending court. We are SO VERY GRATEFUL to THELEN SUBARU for their AMAZING generosity and support to ensure Bella and our ACOs travelled safely to Utah and our ACOs back home to Michigan. What an amazing blessing to us all they were provided a beautiful vehicle for transportation and the gas was funded. Our hearts are ever-thankful to THELEN SUBARU!

Saginaw County Animal Care and Control

Kawkawlin River Cleanup - Tracy K.

The Kawkawlin River Watershed Association is a local non-profit that not only obtains grants for dredging and other things like filter strips for farm fields to help the water quality of run-off, but we also help mark the channel into the Saginaw Bay (part of Lake Huron) and host a river clean-up event each year along with one annual fundraiser, the annual KRWA Pirate Paddle. For the past 9 out of 10 years since the event started, Thelen Subaru and Anthony Christie from the dealership has supported our event, not just by donating a kayak to raffle off, but Anthony also participates in the event and helps spread the word. Over the past 10 years our event has grown from about 30 participants to almost 300, and our social media posts have reached thousands of people – who know who we are and what we do. It takes the support of the community and especially our local businesses to make our events and our organization a success, and Thelen Subaru is one of the best!!

The Kawkawlin River Watershed Association

Sharing the Love with Good Samaritan Rescue Mission - Jill B.

As the Director of Operations at Good Samaritan Rescue Mission, a faith-based emergency shelter supporting the homeless population of Bay City, Michigan, I am always truly thankful for the financial support of local businesses who care enough to go above and beyond for members of our community. This year, during their Share The Love Event, Thelen Subaru of Bay City, as well as customers who purchased vehicles within a 6-week period, chose to donate a portion of their vehicle sales to Good Samaritan. We're thankful to sales staff member Kelly Isbel for reaching out to us and presenting a check for $11,725 to our CEO Dan Streeter. We are also thankful for the sales staff and customers who supported this cause.

Good Samaritan Rescue Mission

Cancer Patients "Warmed" By Your Support! - Denise O.

Cancer patients served at MyMichigan Medical Center Midland will be "a little bit warmer" this fall because of the generous support from Thelen Subaru and the Subaru Loves to Care program. Today the staff from MyMichigan Health Foundation received boxes of donated blankets that will provide warmth and comfort for patients receiving infusions such as blood products or chemotherapy. We are deeply touched by the generosity of of the Thelen Subaru team. Thank you all for your support!

MyMichigan Health Foundation

Blanket Blessings - Jill B.

The staff at Good Samaritan Rescue Mission is truly thankful to Thelen Subaru of Bay City for donating 100 blankets for the guests staying in emergency shelter at our location. We are currently serving 65 men, women, youth and children. These blankets are very beneficial to help provide comfortable and warm bedding to those in need. Thank you to sales staff member Kelly Isbel and the rest of the Thelen Subaru team for your generosity.

Good Samaritan Rescue Mission

Thelen Subaru Saves Lives During Pandemic - Jordan R.

Versiti Blood Center of Michigan would like to thank Thelen Subaru in Bay City, MI for saving lives during the Pandemic. Thelen Subaru hosted a blood drive on September 30, 2020 and collected 15 lifesaving units of blood. Overall, 45 local hospital patients will receive blood products from the blood drive. THANK YOU, THELEN SUBARU!

Versiti Blood Center of Michigan

We Make A Life by What We Give. - Thomas T.

Our mission at Camp Fish Tales is to provide a unique and exciting outdoor learning experience where adults and children with special needs interact and develop skills that enhance their health, abilities, independence and quality of life. Thomas Thelen and Thelen Subaru have been instrumental in making this happen. The Staff and the Board of Directors of Camp Fish Tales are proud to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of our friend, Thomas Thelen and Thelen Subaru. Tom gave so much of himself for the betterment of camp. His leadership on the board was what helped bring camp back to what it is today. As the chair of the building and grounds committee, Tom led the campaign to build a new 24 bed cabin. He was a tireless supporter and he truly believed that we should provide the best facilities possible for our campers. He believed in the mission and values of camp, and was dedicated to its success. Tom was a delight to know on both a professional and personal level, and we are grateful for his many contributions to camp. We are thankful that Thelen Subaru is committed to this amazing resource in the Great Lakes Bay Region. We couldn’t do it without the support of our community. Tom’s legacy will carry on in the memories that the campers create here each year.

Thelen Subaru

Thelen Subaru brings comfort to cancer patients - Jamie R.

On Thursday, July 18, the Michigan Chapter and Thelen Subaru has the pleasure of delivering 80 blankets to the Pardee Cancer Center at Mid-Michigan Health as part of the Subaru Loves To Care program. These comforting gifts were accompanied by personalized messages of hope written by the customers and staff of Thelen Subaru. This incredible act of generosity was warmly received by the Pardee staff who were thrilled to distribute these comforting gifts to their patients. “Every patient that comes through the doors gets a blanket,” said Debra McGill, Manager of the Treatment Fund. “It’s really nice to have something warm, especially when you’re going through what our patients go through.” We also had the opportunity to deliver a blanket to Mickey, a patient receiving treatment at the facility. “I like making treatment fun...dressing up in costumes and staying positive,” he said. Being able to deliver a small gesture of comfort that day and seeing his smile perfectly captured why the program exists. Thelen Subaru has participated in this program for several years, and is excited to explore partnership and team opportunities with the 2019 Mid-Michigan Light The Night event. Many thanks to everyone at Thelen Subaru and the Pardee Cancer Center not only for a memorable day, but for supporting LLS’s mission to cure blood cancers and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Thelen Subaru Delivers Blankets - Jo B.

On July 12th, Rob Curran from Thelen Subaru in Bay City, Michigan, donated 80 warming blankets for patients to use at Pardee Cancer Treatment Fund. Graciously receiving these blankets on behalf of Pardee Cancer Treatment Fund was Debbie McGill along with other staff members. Blankets warm patients who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment, providing them with a cozy experience during a difficult time. Thanks to Pardee, Subaru and LLS, we are making connections that count!

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Thelen Subaru - Alicia J.

Midland cancer patients got a little encouragement from Thelen Subaru and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society last week. On Tuesday, staff from the LLS, Michigan chapter drove to the Pardee Cancer Center, where blankets were set to be distributed. “It’s great to be able to help out in our community,” said Rob from Thelen Subaru. “I am glad to be giving back to those battling cancer.” While taking a photo to commemorate the occasion, other staff members and patients made faces through the courtyard windows at the doctors accepting the gifts – it was clear laughter was a huge part of what makes Pardee Cancer Center tick. As the last of the blankets were brought into the office, cancer center staff welcomed a surprise visit from a patient looking for her oncology doctor. Toting a box of doughnuts, she exclaimed “I love this place – it saved my life!” All of us were touched by the fitting end of the visit.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Delivery of Blankets to Sparrow Hospital - Alicia J.

On August 8, 2017 Thelen Subaru and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (Michigan Chapter) delivered blankets to Sparrow Hospital.

Thelen Subaru Cares for the Homeless and Hurting - Marlene M.

As a compassionate partner with Good Samaritan Rescue Mission, Thelen Subaru helps provide hope & care for over 1,000 homeless men, women, and children annually in the Bay Area. Good Samaritan helps people find housing, and through the Life Skills and Jobs for Life programs men and women are able to find good employment. These available programs and opportunities enable people to move beyond their homeless situations. We are very grateful for the community and Thelen Subaru’s kind hearts. We could not serve those in need without their help!

Good Samaritan Rescue Mission

Two Men and a Truck - Ashley A.

Thelen's "Love a Pet" event. What an event! I am the owner of Two Men And a Truck in Bay City MI. Thelen Subaru asked me to help promote the event, and of course I said Yes! In addition to being a huge animal lover and care giver, I supplied the trucks to hold all of the donated food, leashes, blankets, toys ect. I had an opportunity to place pets in their forever homes, to educate the community about the importance of spaying and neutering and keeping pets safe and healthy. This is what these great events are all about. Such a great opportunity and wonderful cause to get behind. For it being the first ever "Love a Pet", it was amazingly successful. I am looking forward to next years event! Sincerely, Ashley C. Anderson Two Men And a Truck, CEO

Two Men And a Truck