PORT TOWNSEND — A temporary car dealership in Port Townsend will turn a portion of the sales back to the community.
“This has been a great fundraiser for us, and we don’t have to do anything for it,” said Carla Caldwell, executive director of United Good Neighbors of Jefferson County.
“It’s a good partnership that works out really well.”
The Ruddell Auto Mall has taken over an empty space at 2328 W. Sims Way, the former site of Akamai Art & Glass Supply, for one week, ending Tuesday.
It has brought in about 60 cars, a combination of new Hyundais and “used everything else,” according to sales manager Dan Reese.
This is the first year for the sale within the city limit. The previous three years, the event was held at the former Courtesy Ford site south of town that is now a U-Haul rental center.
Good haul
Caldwell said that in the past, UGN has received about $500 per car, and the event has brought in about $2,000 to the charity every year.
The money goes directly into the UGN general fund for program support, she said.
The cars are driven back and forth between Port Angeles and Port Townsend for the sale by a 18-member crew that is hired especially for the occasion.
“We provide some temporary jobs, which is another way that we give back to the community,” Reese said.
The location within the city limit instead of the unincorporated areas means sales tax generated will end up in the city’s coffers at a rate of 2.5 percent.
The Ruddell sales event takes place from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Tuesday.
For more information call 866-419-0444.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
