Did White Bear Subaru go above and beyond, provide exceptional service, or support causes that are important to you? We'd love to hear about it.
We are honored to be nationally recognized by Subaru of America, Inc. for our dedication to living the Subaru Love Promise.
The 2026 Subaru Love Promise HEART Award recognizes Subaru retailers who use the principles of HEART: Honesty, Empathy, Appreciation, and Respect to earn your Trust.
We have been recognized for providing exemplary customer service and staying committed to our community.
Here at White Bear Subaru, we love making a positive impact on the lives of all of our customers, employees, and neighbors. We thank you for your support.
The Subaru Love Promise® is our vision to show love and respect to all people at every interaction with Subaru. Subaru and our retailers believe every day gives us an opportunity to positively impact the world around us – by how we support each other, our customers, and our community. Together, we are committed to making the world a better place.
The Love Promise is what makes Subaru More Than a Car Company® and a Subaru retailer More Than a Car Dealer®. It sets a standard that we are committed to living every day.
At White Bear Subaru, we believe in being a positive force in our community, not just with donations, but with actions that set an example for others to follow. We aim to make the world a better place through several key initiatives that help support and protect people, pets, and our planet:
Did White Bear Subaru go above and beyond, provide exceptional service, or support causes that are important to you? We'd love to hear about it.
SUBMIT A STORYProviding comfort, hope, and confidence to children in urgent need
Subaru and its retailers partner with Operation Warm® to visit local homeless shelters and support agencies to provide children with brand-new necessities like coats, shoes, and socks.
These essential items not only help keep children protected, warm, and dry, they can also have a significant impact on a child’s mental and emotional well-being.
Through this partnership and other historical Subaru Loves to Help efforts, Subaru and retailers like us will have supported over 1 million children and adults in urgent need nationwide.
At Subaru, we believe what we leave behind is a reflection of who we are. That’s why Subaru and our retailers partner with the Arbor Day Foundation (TM) to provide and distribute 100,000 regionally appropriate trees across the country. We’re proud to establish the largest corporate tree distribution ever. Through this and other Subaru Loves the Earth initiatives, Subaru and our retailers have helped distribute and plant over 1.1 million trees.
Subaru believes we should all have a chance to lead a healthy life. That’s why for over 10 years, Subaru and its retailers like us have partnered with Blood Cancer United® and our local hospital to give warm blankets and encouraging messages of hope, written by our employees and customers, to support our community members living with cancer. Through our combined efforts during this partnership, we have supported over 550,000 cancer patients nationwide. Together, we are proud to be Blood Cancer United’s largest automotive donor.
Subaru and its retailers, like us, are continuing our support of education and high-needs schools in our communities through Subaru Loves Learning(R) by providing teachers across the country with funding to purchase the school supplies and resources they know are needed to help students thrive in the classroom. Through our partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org, Subaru and its retailers have supported more than 950,000 students nationwide and are proud to be their largest corporate supporter.
Subaru believes all pets deserve a loving home. That's why retailers like us partner with our local animal welfare organization every October to provide direct financial assistance through a grant distributed by the ASPCA® and host pet events to help animals find loving homes. Through our partnership with local and national organizations, Subaru has donated over $70 million, supporting the rescue, adoption, and health of over 700,000 animals. We're proud to be the largest corporate donor to the ASPCA.
Subaru and its retailers believe in giving back to our communities. That's why for every new vehicle sold or leased during the Subaru Share the Love event, Subaru and its retailers, like us, makes a donation to national charities that our owners care about and to over 2,700 local charities where Subaru owners live and work.
Now, after 17 years, Subaru and our retailers have donated nearly $320 million to charity all to give back and to make the world a better place.
Our Love Promise can be seen in various partnerships with local charities and non-profits. We're grateful for the opportunity, not only to be a part of our community, but to serve it as well.
Pause 4 paws
Feed My Starving Children
Willow Lane Elementary
Willow Lane Elemantry
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Subaru and White Bear 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.
Imagine being told you'll be on live TV, but not knowing what role you'll have. Will you be a co-host or part of the live audience? If public speaking isn't your thing, that uncertainty would be terrifying. Experiencing illness can feel much the same. You don't know what seemingly impossible position you'll find yourself in. Yet one thing remains within your control: your character. And with the right character, many challenges become surmountable. The Dude, the show's host, was fantastic as we all played bingo. Although the children were facing illness and couldn't be there in person, the show lifted their spirits—or perhaps their good character helped lift everyone else's as well. The children would call in from their hospital rooms, and you could feel their excitement when they called out "Bingo!" The Dude would then make up songs on the spot for each bingo. Subaru Loves to Care initiative helped donate thoughtful gifts: neck pillows to make treatment time more comfortable, adorable teddy bears that greet you with a smile, and Starbucks gift cards for the workers so they could stay energized and ready for whatever came next. There were tote bags for anyone who wanted one. Behind those cardboard walls sat a lot of other donations, with boxes stacked higher than a 2026 Subaru Forester.
We unload the baby trees from the pallets, and add tags one by one to roughly a hundred trees. We set our check-in table with snacks, and check people in with the computer. Then, we watch. Everybody picks out a tree differently. One guy grabs the nearest maple that's drooping a little, but the next guy looks up every possible fact about the river birch then chooses a maple. Both guys plant the trees with their families, and now the trees grow with special memories attached. You don't know the background of each person coming to get their tree, but I'm sure some of the trees will end up that way. By supporting the Arbor Day Foundation through the Subaru Loves the Earth initiative, these trees help support better air quality and give heartfelt meaning to the trees adding meaning to the word greener.
Another great year rising funds during the Subaru Share the Love event for so many worthy causes to support. We are very proud to be a part of the Subaru brand that truly supports worthy causes not in just words but in action. Between Subaru, Luther White Bear Subaru and customers getting together to support these worth causes like Adult & Teen Challenge in the these photos nothing can stop us when we work together. I have been with Luther White Bear Subaru for 31 years now and and I can tell you the Luther Mission is "Drive to Serve" and they mean it. No matter how many these events that I have attended I'm amazed at the great people I have the opportunity to meet and knowing we all have a part in helping no matter how small the part seems to us it could mean the world to someone that is feeling down and out. Just acknowledging someone and taking a moment out of our day to stop and say hi and a smile I can bet you would make someone's day and the best part is you just made your day better also. Brian
Willow Lane Elementary students have a new addition to their playground - a Buddy Bench! Several fifth grade leaders who formed the Friendship Team, created a mission of making sure no one is alone at recess. This idea sparked a partnership between Willow Lane and White Bear Lake Subaru who generously donated the Buddy Bench. With help from members of the Friendship Team, the bench was installed on Feb. 10 and is already being used to help form new relationships on the playground and beyond! Story by Leigh Anderson @ Willow Lane Elementary.
At Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge's Wellcome Manor campus there resides more than fifty mothers and fifty children. The children, all ages 5 and under, have been right alongside these moms as they battled addiction, homelessness, domestic violence and many other hardships. Wellcome Manor brings them in from the cold, so to speak, providing safety, comfort, healing and hope. The moms will learn how to achieve sobriety, learn new parenting skills and begin to form a new life free from addiction. The children will be loved and taught, swaddled and fed and most importantly, begin to bond with their mothers as they truly are: sober, attentive, strong and resilient. The warmth and support these families feel at Wellcome Manor is only magnified by our great community partners. The coats provided by Luther White Bear Subaru and Operation Warm is like each of our clients and children getting a warm hug. These moms and kids are the true heroes, but the generosity and support of our partners is commendable and celebrated. Thank you!
The opportunity to donate 300 jackets with additional clothing items to the Minnesota Adult Teen Challenge (MNTC) is made possible by the Subaru Loves to Help initiative. These items are used up quickly according to an MNTC representative. Being able to show up in person and hand off boxes of essential winter gear is simple, but part of a bigger picture. Seeing the passion of MNTC volunteers and workers with big hearts helping people in low places uplift everyone, it is an eye opening experience to the needs of people in different walks of life.
Every year, Subaru dealerships help turn hope into a reality for Minnesota kids facing a critical illness. Subaru’s impact reaches kids like Ellie. When Ellie was born, a rare metabolic disorder caused her to stop breathing, leading to multiple brain injuries and lifelong seizures. Today, at nine years old, Ellie continues to fight daily battles with her health. Despite these challenges, she finds joy in the stars. When Ellie was referred to Make-A-Wish Minnesota, she knew exactly what she wished for: a trip to Yellowstone to see the stars in all their glory. During the day, Ellie explored geysers, wildlife, and natural wonders. At night, her family gathered around the campfire making s’mores and watching the sky light up with stars. “Seeing Ellie’s face light up each day was my favorite part,” her mom, Nichole shared. “The wish was a breath of fresh air for our entire family.” Because of Subaru’s continued support through Share the Love, wishes like Ellie’s are made possible. Together, Subaru and Make-A-Wish Minnesota are delivering hope, strength, and unforgettable joy to families when they need it most.
One of the many challenges of cancer treatment is the deep sense of isolation that patients often feel. This can be especially tough for kids, who may spend long stretches in the hospital—away from home, friends, and family. To help ease that burden, Subaru of America has, for years, partnered with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) to provide comforting blankets and care packages to hospitals across the country. On July 9, White Bear Subaru continued that tradition by delivering boxes of blankets and care items to young patients at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis. Subaru staff shared that offering these small comforts to children facing such difficult challenges is the least they can do—and a way to show they care. One LLS staff member, whose daughter received treatment at Children’s and was gifted a Subaru blanket, reflected on how much it meant. To her daughter, that blanket was more than just warmth—it was a reminder that someone out there cared. And years later, she still uses it. Thank you to White Bear Subaru for their continued generosity and compassion. Your commitment to bringing comfort to young patients during such a difficult time truly makes a difference—and reminds us of the power of kindness.
The White Bear Subaru Loves team was joined by Joe Oviguian and Olaf Strand from Subaru of America for our annual Subaru loves to Care drop off this year at the Children’s Minnesota Minneapolis location. I can’t say enough on how great the Children’s and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society staff are, caring and loving and positive.
Imagine going without a coat, shoes, or even socks. For millions of children and adults experiencing homelessness and other urgent need situations across the country, even here in Vadnais Heights, this is a harsh reality. Helping others strengthens communities, which is why White Bear Subaru is partnering with Operation Warm®, a national nonprofit focused on connecting children with the resources they need to thrive. Through this partnership and other Subaru Loves to Help® efforts, Subaru and retailers like White Bear Subaru have helped nearly 900,000 children and adults in urgent need. On 01/22/2025, White Bear Subaru donated 120 coats to 180 Degrees. These essential items not only help keep children protected, warm, and dry, it can have a significant impact on a child's mental and emotional well-being.
White Bear Subaru provided a free lunch as a "Thank you" for White Bear Lake Area School teachers and staff for all they do though out the year. We continue to promote and support Subaru Loves Learning not just once a year but all year.
17 years ago, the Subaru Share the Love® Event was created to help those who need it most. White Bear Subaru is dedicated to giving back to their community all year long. And through the Subaru Share the Love Event, we support charities close to our hearts. This year White Bear Subaru has decided to partner with Adult &Teen Challenge. For every Subaru sold during the campaign starting November 21st through January 2nd, White Bear Subaru and Subaru of America donated $73,380.00 to charity. The impact of the Subaru Share the Love Event will allow Adult & Teen Challenge to help reach their goal.
Imagine going without a coat, shoes, or even socks. For millions of children and adults experiencing homelessness and other urgent need situations across the country, even here in Twin Cities, this can be a harsh reality. Helping others is the key to a strong community which is why White Bear Subaru believes in helping to support individuals and families in urgent need. On June 9 2025, White Bear Subaru partnered with Adult & Teen Challenge and donated coats, socks to those in urgent need. These essential items not only help keep children protected, warm, and dry, it can have a significant impact on a child’s mental and emotional well-being.
At White Bear Subaru, we care deeply about our community and are committed to keeping our Neighborhoods vibrant & healthy now and for generations to come. Trees are vital to this effort — they provide oxygen, cool our community, filter water, clean the air, prevent flooding, and improve health. But every year, our community loses trees due to age, disease, infestation, and extreme weather. Subaru and retailers like us are proud to partner with the Arbor Day Foundation to help address this problem. This spring as part of our Subaru Loves the Earth initiative, White Bear Subaru provided and distributed 100 of mature, regionally appropriate trees that will benefit communities for generations. This year alone, Subaru and its retailers provided and distributed 100,000 trees to communities across the country. Through this new partnership and other initiatives, Subaru and retailers like us have helped distribute and plant over 1.1 million trees so far — and this is just the beginning. Together, we are growing a greener, healthier White Bear Lake for generations to come.
This is a picture of White Bear Subaru's second year supporting Cory and his 180 Degrees team. Cory's team provides a way to listen to the challenges of people who aren't quite ready to come in for help. Our White Bear Subaru Loves Team decided to make care kits of toiletry products to give to the individuals that don't stay with no strings attached. You have to start somewhere in building trust and a relationship, and our hope is that the person receiving the care kit knows they are cared for and able to come back for help. Cory sends us thank you notes like the one below, but the real thanks goes out to Cory and his 180 Degrees team for connecting to those in need. Thank you Cory and your 180 Degrees Team!! Good Morning Brian- THANK YOU for the fantastic delivery of coats and “care bags”! Wow, 120 coats and 170 care bags, very thoughtful!! So grateful to you and the entire White Bear Subaru team & Subaru Loves to Help/Operation Warm. Your continued support of our young girls at Brittany’s Place is truly a gift. Have a great week ahead Many thanks again! Cory Johnson Associate Director of Advancement 180 Degrees, Inc.
The Child Life Specialists at Children’s Minnesota were all smiles as the Subaru team pulled up to the entrance of the Specialty Center on a sunny Thursday afternoon in June. They shared that this special delivery is one they look forward to every year. “So do we,” replied Brian Anderson, of White Bear Subaru, as he unloaded another large, blue box from the back of his truck. The wonderful staff at Children’s shared stories about patients who look forward to these boxes each year, some even trying to schedule their yearly check-ins around the time of the Subaru deliveries. “They really are the BEST blankets!” Everyone was in agreement. This partnership between Subaru of America retailers across the United States and medical facilities that support cancer patients has been ongoing since 2016 and each delivery is just as special as the last. These “big blue boxes” are filled with co-branded, plush blankets, patient care kits filled with a variety of fun items, and handwritten messages of support from Subaru showroom customers and staff. These notes especially bring smiles to patients knowing that they are not alone in their battle with cancer. Complete strangers care enough to take the time to write a message to encourage them in their fight with cancer. Thank you, White Bear Subaru, for supporting the cancer patients of Children’s Minnesota!
White Bear Subaru was delivering our donation for the Subaru Loves to Care to the Leukemia & Lymphoma at Children's hospital as always it went really well. But something was very different for me. I'm like everyone else I have many things going on in my life and some challenges and it's very easy to slip into the why me or poor me. Here I am standing in the lobby's entrance waiting to deliver our donation I'm watching all the small innocent children walk in with their families who did nothing wrong and here they are battling for their life in most cases and still smiling and just being a kid as much as possible. I can only hope that I can keep a positive attitude as the children showed us that day. Stay strong!
White Bear Subaru is very proud to continue to support Leigh Anderson and her great school Willow Lane Elementary school out of box thinking and keeping the students engage and making a difference. WHITE BEAR LAKE — A small, rural school in Ghana is getting $600 toward a clean water project thanks to the recent efforts of four Willow Lane Elementary fourth graders. Alden Chang, Bryelle Cooper, Denver Delaney and Macie Werner won first place for their presentation urging a panel of five judges to support White Bear Lake-based nonprofit H20 for Life. “They have a water crisis there, so they need help to get clean water,” Delaney said of the Ghanian school, Dodome Awiesu Community School. The team, dubbed “The Water Warriors,” was one of 10 groups of fourth graders who participated in the second annual Minnow Tank project Nov. 15. The project is a partnership between the White Bear Lake Rotary Club and the school. “It’s all about teaching kids about service and community and giving back,” said Jackie Reis, a Rotary Club member who helped organize the project last academic year. The teams vied for a piece of the $1,500 prize money donated by Subaru, which the judges divided for the top four teams. The judges critiqued the groups based on their preparedness, enthusiasm, teamwork and creativity. H20 for Life, founded in 2007 by former Highview Middle School teacher Patty Hall, connects youth with service-learning opportunities to alleviate water crises around the world. The Ghanian school water project is one of several the nonprofit is aiding. The Water Warriors said they chose to support H20 for Life because they wanted people around the world to have access to clean and safe drinking water. They played a brief video of a 15-year-old student at Dodome Awiesu thanking the Willow Lane students for trying to support repair work on the Ghanian school’s drinking water borehole. Hall’s son shot the video while he was visiting the school on behalf of H20 for Life. The fourth grade class at Willow Lane was divided into small groups based on which type of charity the students were interested in supporting. Each group started working with an adult community member who coached them as the students prepared their presentations. The project teaches students how to work as a team and encourage one another while working toward a common goal. It also shows pupils how everybody is able to make a difference for others. “No matter how much money you have, no matter how good of a reader you are, no matter what — everyone has the power to make a difference in the lives of others. That’s our goal, is to empower them in their strengths and to use them to make a difference in the world,” said Willow Lane instructional coach Leigh Anderson, who spearheaded the Minnow Tank project with the Rotary Club. The second-place team, “The Mighty Bed Fighters,” earned $400 for their Minneapolis-based charity, My Very Own Bed. The team consisted of Holly Halverson Vue, Adrianna Labossiere, Oliver Matteson and Torian Newton. The charity provides new beds to children in the Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs who are in need of one. The students said they wanted to support My Very Own Bed because of the importance of a good night’s sleep for kids. “Everyone should have a bed, because some people are still sleeping on the floor, and it’s really uncomfortable,” Matteson said. The third-place $300 award went to “The One-Wishers,” which consisted of Jacob Heller, Adrian Hamlin, Lauren Estis and Chloe Cassidy. They urged the judges to support the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. One of only two comprehensive cancer centers in the state, the facility’s research focuses on the causes, prevention, detection and treatment of the disease. The center also aims to improve quality of life for cancer patients and share its research with other medical professionals. Aaliyah Cargeor, Zakiya Kawo, Melanie Vang and Diana Xiong rounded out the top finishers in fourth place under the team name, “The Helping Hands.” The students promoted the Minneapolis homeless shelter, People Serving People, and earned the organization $200. “It is cold outside, and we want everybody to have a roof over their heads,” Kawo said. “PSP will provide stable housing plus shelter for homeless kids and their families.”
Luther White Bear Subaru and Subaru of America were pleased to present this check to Adult & Teen Challenge of Minnesota for $179,191 from the Subaru Share the Love Event 2023. We are very proud to support Adult & Teen Challenge in making a difference in our community reaching out to those people in need. At this years event we had guest speakers who has been through the program and what it meant to them having outside support of the program. I truly believe most likely everyone knows someone that has had a drug or alcohol issue at one time or another. Having a place like Adult & Teen Challenge for those in need to turn to for professional help is a great resource and we are proud to supports them.
Dear Brian, Donovan, Donna, Amber, Shari, Brad and the White Bear Subaru family- It has been an incredible start to 2024 at 180 Degrees and you all were a part of it! THANK YOU for your incredible partnership and gift of 250 coats for our young girls and youth in shelter. I could never have imagined that our organization would have the capacity to push out our brand and mission with such growth. Because of you, the Twin Cities metro area and beyond are having conversations about 180 Degrees and the really tough/difficult situations that our community members are facing. We strive to help our very vulnerable clients push through their challenges with positive outcomes & success. Our goal is always to offer safe shelter, compassionate care and provide a pathway for hope. Because of your kindness, 180 Degrees continues to touch the lives of over 1,000 Minnesotans per year. We are so grateful for your generosity and dedication to this life saving work. The impact of White Bear Subaru Loves/Operation Warm will provide warmth and comfort to our young clients during our chilly winter months I wanted to share a quick story about one of our teen girls. Last year, Maddy, was able to find refuge at Brittany’s Place after being sexually exploited and trafficked in Minnesota. She received mental health support, learned self-defense and continued her education while at Brittany’s Place. After graduating, she moved to Brittany’s Place Transitional Living Program before eventually successfully exiting the program to rent her own apartment. In solidarity with the 180 Degrees Board of Directors, we say THANK YOU and we look forward to celebrating future success stories that your support generates in 2024. The work we do truly saves lives. With gratitude, Daniel Pfarr | [email protected] Chief Executive Officer 180 Degrees Board of Directors
White Bear Subaru has teamed up with Adult & Teen Challenge of Minnesota for a Winter Clothing Drive for the second year. Between generosity of our customers and staff it a very successful clothing dive. We enjoy visiting with Will and his staff and the people that are in the program. As we visit with people in the program we find it could happen to any of us one major event that is totally out of our control they are just like us, human. I challenge anyone to stop for a moment in our busy lives and stop and lend a hand, donate or even a kind word and I can bet you will want to do it over and over because you will feel great that one person made a difference in someone's life. Are you up for the challenge? The White Bear Subaru Loves Team.
We support Willow Lane School through the Subaru Loves Learning. Watching the staff at the school by how much they truly love what they are doing and even on a difficult day they never show it to the students. How could the students teach me a lesson you ask? By coming to school everyday and wanting to learn not wanting to being treated better than anyone else and just given a fair chance and be loved and respected. This year Leigh at the school wanted to have everyone to wear a yellow t-shirt with the word "Believe" on it for the Subaru Loves Learning event because the staff always tells the students to believe in themselves. Brad Knutson the GM at White Bear Subaru decided to provide the t-shirts to everyone because he believes in the students and the staff also.
Every year that the Subaru Loves to Care® program comes round we are reminded how fortunate we truly are. We changed our Subaru Loves team at White Bear Subaru from time to time so everyone has a chance to experience our commitment to our community and the Subaru Love Promise. Something special happened this year while getting for our Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® donation to be delivered to Children's Hospital one of staff that we asked had a special reaction that only she can tell. Hello! My name is Kaitlyn Yang and I am a cancer survivor. At the age of 3 I was diagnosed with Leukemia (ALL). That day changed my life forever, not knowing the next steps nor how much can change within seconds. This did not just affect my future but my family's as well. Cancer alters not just oneself but those around them, as well the sacrifices everyone has to make is difficult and challenging. The sacrifices is something no one should ever go through, I was lucky enough to have a supportive and loving family. Who did anything and everything to help me. I was treated at Children's Hospital with the best doctors and staff I could ever ask for. The treatments were harsh but the staff tried their best to make me comfortable. After years of fighting cancer I was finally cancer free in 2008. Though it did alter my life and having some long term effects I was able to be a kid again. Trying to live my life normally but since I knew things could change so fast, I started to plan my life and career goals months in advance. After many years I find myself building my own future with education and working at Subaru as a BDC Representative. To find out they were working together to make a change in the hospital I was treated in was something I knew I wanted to be apart of. Thank you Kaitlyn for sharing your story and being on our Subaru Loves Team.
Our friends at White Bear Subaru partnered with The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society® (LLS) to deliver hope and warmth to blood cancer patients at Children’s Minnesota on June 29th. White Bear Subaru and hospital staff were present to unpack White Bear Subaru’s generous donation of 80 blankets, 50 patient care kits, and Messages of Hope for families facing cancer. This incredible act of generosity was warmly received by hospital staff and cancer patients. Thank you so much White Bear Subaru staff for providing messages of hope and reminding cancer patients that there’s a big community supporting them along their journey!
We came into the cancer and blood clinic today for a "quick" check that turned into a blood transfusion, and we weren’t prepared for the wait. When I went to get Ellie a warm blanket, there were pillow blankets donated by you guys! Very soft! Facing pediatric cancer is awful, but today was a little brighter. Thank you!
It's our second year with supporting Animal Humane Society and one of their biggest events for is the Walk for Animals. This year as the Animal Humane Society was keeping us posted on the Walk for Animals, we were informed that canines would not be able to attend this year because of the canine influenza. I really didn't know how this year was going be like without the canine's well it went like this. First, did we miss our puppies? 100% yes, however all the other loved pets which attended with their family's show love and a bond that I don't believe everyone can understand. At our White Bear Subaru & Subaru Loves Pets® booth, it was so great visiting with people and their pets not to mention seeing photos of the canines that were at home missing us. The time went by so fast next thing we knew it was time to pack up and say good bye. I would like to thank Animal Humane Society for always looking out for the animals in their care above anything else.
White Bear Subaru has teamed up with Willow Lane School for both Subaru Loves the Earth® and Subaru Loves Learning® this year again. You may ask why Subaru Loves the Earth, well to us it's simple: our children are the future. If we can help them not make the same mistakes we made in the past by getting them in good habits about recycling and making good decisions in caring for Mother Earth everyone is a winner. Just think think if we can get Subaru Loves the Earth in our schools for our children to will bring home what they have learned on recycling and caring for the earth to their parents and hopefully our communities. So far, the TerraCycle® picnic table and bench that we donated to Willow Lane School is a great conversation starter. We also donated 500 Subaru recycled bags for the students to reuse rather than using plastic or paper bags this year.
Addiction to drugs or alcohol effects everyone one way or another by a friend or family member. Mn Adult & Teen Challenge is our Hometown Charity for the 3rd year. We can't say enough about Will Kaul at Mn Adult & Teen Challenge and what they do to help people that may have lost all hope. What does Subaru, White Bear Subaru and Mn Adult & Teen Challenge have in common? HEART • Honesty in what we say and do. • Empathy for our customers, co-workers, and community. • Appreciation for the role we play in making a difference in peoples’ lives. • Respect for all those around us. • Trust in us as a friend.
With today being Random Acts of Kindness Day, we at White Bear Subaru are reminded that not only are the less fortunate in need during the holidays, but every day. We decided to partner with Gretchen Olmscheid at Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis and delivered approximately 1100 pairs of socks as part of our Subaru Loves to Help initiative. We look forward to our continued support to make a difference throughout the year. With gratitude and kindness, White Bear Subaru Loves Team
We are White Bear Subaru, a proud supporter of Willow Lane school through the Subaru Loves Learning program, Leigh Anderson is our contact person at the school and after meeting her and the other staff we knew we pick the right school. Little did we know it was only the beginning of our relationship with the staff and students. Our sales manger Max now is a reading buddy with one of the students and we know our relationships will only continue to grow. Thank you, White Bear Subaru
Animal Humane Society (AHS) partnered with Luther White Bear Subaru for the month of October to promote adoptable animals in our community. They spread the word by featuring a poster of adoptable animals (updated weekly), a floor sign with QR codes directing customers to give back to AHS – either financially or through our wish list, and distributed postcards to customers utilizing their service center. Subaru also created an inviting display area featuring Subaru Loves Pets and AHS materials. In October, 283 animals were adopted from our Woodbury, MN location, including: 7 birds, 170 cats, 76 dogs, and 30 critters. We are thrilled when “under pets” find a new loving home and family. In fact, 17 seniors, 4 animals with eye conditions, 2 cats with FeLV, 1 cat with FIV, and several animals with skin conditions were adopted. At AHS, we specialize in second chances. Our commitment to an open admission policy means we take in every animal surrendered to us, regardless of its health, age, breed, or behavior. We provide extensive medical treatment, surgery, behavior modification, and foster care to ensure every animal — even those with special challenges is given a safe refuge and a chance at adoption. We also take in animals from around MN and across the country, saving lives and providing critical support to overcrowded shelters and organizations that lack the resources to care for them. As a result of these extraordinary efforts, more than 93% of the animals that came through our doors last year were adopted or placed within the community. At AHS, we’re changing the world for animals and the people who love them. And we’re doing it with people like you by our side. Thank you Subaru for your continued support of our mission and this life-saving work! National Make a Dog’s Day On the morning of Saturday, October 22, employees of Luther White Bear Subaru gathered at our Woodbury site to pass out treats from our favorite local dog treat bakery, Must Be Ruff. The gourmet “ruff cakes” didn’t last long as shelter animals enjoyed a delicious treat to celebrate National Make A Dog’s Day and receive endless snuggles from our visitors. Photos were shared on social media and garnered attention from our animal-loving supporters. In fact, 18 animals were adopted that day! A Love Promise – Scotty’s Story I stopped by the Golden Valley shelter on my day off with my 3-year-old daughter. We decided to make our way over to the puppy kennels to “just look” before we headed home. I could see two little pit bull pups sitting in their kennel, sort of staring up at the ceiling. Based on their behavior, I instantly knew they were blind. We approached and both jumped up to greet us, giving us full body wiggles and begging to be picked up. After walking away, I somehow knew these pups were going to be in my life in some way. My husband was not made aware of this just yet. I spent the next few days weeping over these two beautiful pups. My husband quickly became aware it was going to be a losing battle. As a veterinarian, I know how challenging puppies can be, especially a blind one. We had just lost one of our senior dogs and I didn’t think I was ready for this challenge, yet something about those puppies spoke to me. Thankfully, I was able to visit them again. I frantically texted my husband videos and pictures, gently suggesting which one I wanted to bring home. The larger of the two was a bit shier and gently nestled into my lap while we were playing with them. It was at that moment I knew he would be a part of our lives forever. I was also able to reach out to friends in my veterinary community to find his brother a home. A blind pup can be a challenge and requires a very dedicated guardian. I knew just the person for this. Like myself, she is an avid pit bull lover and advocate. Although she wasn’t actively looking, she too felt something special and couldn’t say no to adopting Scotty’s brother. He is now known as Michelangelo (Mikey for short), and lives with an older pit bull brother, Leonardo, and a human brother, Austen. Scotty and Mikey are in their forever homes and beginning to flourish. Both dogs are exceptional at navigating their surroundings and use their other senses to get around. Like any puppy, they are extremely rambunctious and need a lot of attention. Scotty is undergoing training classes through AHS. Training looks a little different for a blind puppy, and is centered on verbal cues and commands. My hope is to have Scotty certified as a therapy dog so that he can visit with folks that would benefit from his gentle nature and learn that it’s okay to be a little different, and that we can be loved for it. In an effort to educate the public on caring for blind animals, Scotty and his mom, Dr. Kelly Gehlhaus, were featured on the local news and the homepage of our website. We hope this helps spread the word on what a wonderful addition an “under pet” can be if given the chance.
For the 7th year in a row, White Bear Subaru has partnered with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to deliver hope and warmth to cancer patients being treated at Children’s Hospital of Minnesota. This partnership is just one way White Bear Subaru supports their local community through their Subaru Love Promise. The Subaru team and LLS representatives were honored to present a blanket to special guest Gavin and his younger brother Carter. First diagnosed at age 6 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Gavin was happy to start the maintenance phase of his long treatment in November 2021. He and his brother had a blast representing other patient families and receiving a Subaru blanket and craft kit all while checking out a Subaru themselves and hanging out of the sunroof! Prospective Subaru owners never looked so cute. Our deepest thanks to White Bear Subaru for creating such a fun day for Children’s Hospital of Minnesota!
During 2022’s teacher appreciation week from May 2nd through May 6th, the Luther White Bear Subaru team took a brief visit to Willow Lane Elementary School with lunch for the teachers and staff. Willow Lane, whose mission is to ensure high academic achievement and social-emotional growth for their students, has maintained a partnership with White Bear Subaru over the years. Through the years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the way this school has gracefully navigated these stressful times is a shining example of the Subaru Loves Learning can-do attitude. The Subaru Loves Learning initiative aims to support quality education that promotes real world problem-solving. An example that demonstrates such ingenuity is Willow Lane’s “Minnow Tank” project. Inspired by the famous “Shark Tank” TV show, the 4th graders choose a charity that represents values they share and pitch it to a group of “sharks” from the Rotary Club of White Bear Lake. Over the next three years they will work with coaches from the White Bear Rotary to raise awareness and funds for the chosen charities. This year it was time to shine some light on the teachers and faculty who made it possible to provide an education to children during a global pandemic. Luther White Bear Subaru has donated an abundance of books and assisted in financial aid for the students as curriculums again took place on school grounds. With a 13:1 student-teacher ratio at Willow Lane, teachers are able to focus on individual students more so than other schools. Since 2015, the Subaru Loves Learning initiative has resulted in over 277,600 books donated to schools throughout the country. Luther White Bear Subaru’s team consists of General Manager Brad Knutson, Brian Anderson, Donna Ferguson, Donovan Brummond, Danielle Sadewater and Taylor Klongtruatroke. Joining the Subaru Love Learning team for this Teachers Appreciation event was Joseph Oviguian and Chris Sterling from Subaru of America.
An easily-overlooked building in Twin Cities metro, the Animal Humane Society of Golden Valley has continued working, even during the COVID-19 years, to maintain and provide a warm and welcoming environment for animals and prospective pet owners. Partnering with this group in 2022, and highlighting the Animal Humane Society in their “Subaru Loves Pets” event, is the staff of Luther White Bear Subaru, led by General Manager Brad Knutson and his Subaru Loves team consisting of Brian Anderson, Donna Ferguson, Donovan Brummond, Danielle Sadewater and Taylor Klongtruatroke. As a whole, the animal admission rooms of the AHS sees over 23,000 animals come through their doors every year. For the staff at the Animal Humane Society to provide the best care, admissions recently became appointment only in the past few years. This change has allowed the staff the flexibility to obtain supplies or make adjustments to care as needed during these unprecedented times. Fortunately, this has not negatively impacted adoption rates, as a new home for a pet is on average ten days from when they first walk in. In Golden Valley, the lower floors of the AHS contain the rooms where spays and neuters are performed. In conjunction with the veterinary school of the University of Minnesota, the staff helps to provide students of the program with the experience they will need to succeed in their profession. While not as glamorous as other services they provide, it is a very necessary one. In a typical year, the AHS would expect to perform an average of 7,000 spays or neuters. Working alongside the terrific staff of the Humane Society are about 2,200 volunteers, resulting in over 145,000 hours of care per year. This combination of volunteer and staff allows the company to make sure every animal is well-attended to and given proper food, water, and exercise. In an emergency situation, the Animal Humane Society is one of the few places properly equipped to handle a sudden surge of animal admissions. The staff doesn’t just provide care of animals though. In addition to all that they do already, the staff of the AHS offers behavioral education courses for both pets and owners. Luther White Bear Subaru is always striving to make connections and partnerships with local companies that share similar mindsets and values. Without a doubt, the Animal Humane Society shares all of these. With the well-being of our companions as top priority, it truly is a marvel to see the difference the Animal Humane Society has made throughout the Twin Cities.
The Minnesota State Fairgrounds was a sight to see on a rainy Saturday morning. With over 2,000 volunteers and supporters, among them being Luther White Bear Subaru, showing up to support the Animal Humane Society’s Walk for Animals. The weather wasn’t cooperative, but it didn’t dampen spirits as a proud partner of the AHS. The Subaru Loves Team at White Bear Subaru accepted the invitation to attend and sponsor a booth for the event. Attendees completed the 1 mile course with their pets and critters to reach the finish line where there would be food trucks, a pet costume contest, and the many booths of supporters. In attendance, the event included countless cats, dogs, ducks, and even ferrets, all excited to be out and about with their owners. From the booths of vendors located in the International Bazaar at the Fairgrounds, you could find anything from stunning pet art, to “bad pet art” created on the spot. Clever pet accessories, such as dachshund harnesses designed to ease spinal pressure, were offered, along with gear and accessories for owners and family members. Perusing all at the Bazaar could easily take several hours. Each attendee’s entry fee went directly to supporting the Animal Humane Society. The Subaru Loves Pets initiative was an absolute treat to bring to life at this event. Our team handed out hundreds of frisbees and leashes, shared treats, and interacted with proud pet owners as the rain cleared and made way for brilliant sunshine. After years of distanced interactions as COVID-19 rocked the world, getting to witness this event in-person was an absolute delight. Luther White Bear Subaru team was composed of General Manager Brad Knutson, Brian Anderson, Donna Ferguson, Donovan Brummond, Danielle Sadewater, and Taylor Klongtruatroke–joining them at this event were guests Jenny Anderson, Melissa Anderson and Lori Klongtruatroke.
Luther White Bear Subaru "Share the Love" Back in 2019 Brad Knutson the General Manager of Luther White Bear Subaru decided to partner with Will Kaul at Adult & Teen Challenge for the Subaru "Share the Love" yearly drive. Little did he know what he had started in our dealership! The first meeting most of our staff was silent about either knowing someone that battles with addiction or possibly dealing with addiction personally. Will came out and started the conversation and our staff started opening up and I believe our staff knows it's ok to ask for help and not be ashamed or embarrassed to ask for help we are all human. Now that our eyes have been open we are continuing to support Adult & Teen Challenge we have met some of the most wonderful people that have completed the program we are forever changed for the better
Started with the Subaru blanket drive and finished with a complete clothing drive for the homless.
With support from White Bear Subaru and the Subaru Loves Pets Program, Pause 4 Paws helped 31 cats be adopted into their forever homes during the month of October! One cat who was adopted in October 2021 was Noodle. Noodle was left behind in a hotel room. Pause 4 Paws was contacted for help because rescues were full and did not have room to take Noodle into their care. A Pause 4 Paws Board Member offered to foster Noodle. He was neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and had a full check-up. Noodle, now named Bogey, was adopted, and he is having a blast playing with his feline brother. Bogey is the orange kitty -- all settled into his loving home! It takes a village to do this work, and we are forever grateful to have Subaru as an important part of the Pause 4 Paws village. From all of us at Pause 4 Paws, thank you to White Bear Subaru for your generous support of helping animals in need of loving homes!
Our friends at Luther White Bear Subaru presented us this week with boxes of new thermal blankets, masks, sanitizers, school supplies and children's books! These gifts will go directly to our clients and their children this Christmas season. Our organization was once again selected to be their featured charity during the dealership's Share the Love Event. We are so grateful for the support... Thank you!
July 9, Minneapolis - White Bear Subaru and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, MN – ND - SD Chapter spread love, hope and warmth to blood cancer patients and families at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. Customers and employees created Subaru Loves to Care cards throughout all of June by writing funny jokes, inspirational quotes and messages of hope. The cards were delivered with blankets, craft kits, and some extra posters and swag to our LLS Honored Heroes before their clinic appointments.Three year old Lilli was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in Feb. 2018. She was admitted to Children’s Minnesota where she participated in a clinical trial with the potential to greatly reduce the amount of chemotherapy Lilli would undergo. She celebrated her second birthday in the hospital alongside her great nurses and doctors. Lilli was officially declared in remission May 2018. Jake was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma at the age of nine, after having already lost his mom to AML years earlier. He is currently in treatment, and taking every step of his cancer journey with a “Warrior Jake” attitude. Lilli Graf is the 2019 LLS Girl of the Year. Jake Rodriguez was the 2017 LLS Boy of the Year. These special kiddos and their moms, Krista and Katie, are also friends. Well, anyone who hangs around a pediatric oncology clinic long enough learns all these moms are friends! While the photographers were capturing shots of Lilli and Jake high-fiving and posing with blankets, the lobby buzzed with nurses and lots of other patients stopping by to chat. In fact, 2020 LLS Students of the Year candidate, Gabi Barreiro and her mom Alba, joined the party and left with a Subaru blanket that morning as well. After delivering blankets to the clinic and hospital, we were told they would all be handed out in a few days. The need is great and our work is urgent. Thanks for spreading love, hope and warmth White Bear Subaru!
This past holiday season, Subaru of America's Share the Love event continued to make a positive impact in the world and our local neighborhoods. White Bear Subaru presented an astounding $41,653 to their Hometown Charity, LLC Minnesota, on April 29 during a celebration in their showroom. From November 2018 to January 3, 2019, $250 of any new Subaru bought or leased was donated to a charity of the customer’s choice: one of four nationally chosen charities or White Bear Subaru's hometown charity choice – LLS. Their generosity through Share the Love will help fund the LLS mission to cure blood cancer and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS staff attended the check presentation alongside pediatric leukemia survivor, Lilli, who accepted the donation on behalf of blood cancer patients. Lilli's mom Krista said “We are thrilled White Bear Subaru selected LLS as their hometown charity, & we're honored to accept their donation on behalf of cancer patients like Lilli. LLS is working to save kids lives, and it's not possible without partners like White Bear Subaru. Thanks to Brad Knutson and Brian Anderson for everything!"
Great customer service: During the process of buying the car, I had come to this dealership about three times, once with the family to bring the car for trade-in then to close the deal. Every time I walked in the place I felt so welcome and my family was treated with a lot of respect. Everybody was doing their best to meet my expectations. Eventually, we closed the deal in a very smooth way and I felt very comfortable walking in and out of this place. The follow up was also nice. Not in a pushy way. They really made me happy with every aspect of the deal. Thanks to all who had been involved in the process.
On Wednesday, June 20, 2018, as part of the national Subaru Loves to Care program, White Bear Subaru worked with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to deliver 80 blankets along with arts and crafts kits and cards of hope to patients at Children’s Hospital Minnesota. Brian Anderson and several employees of the White Bear Dealership came to represent Subaru.They lit up the room when they brought in the gifts and were excited with the opportunity to hand them out to patients at the hospital.Lilli Graf, a 2 ½ year old who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in February, was Children’s patient ambassador who accepted the blanket and craft kit from Anderson on behalf of Subaru. Lilli could hardly contain her excitement when she opened the art and craft kit and saw the glitter paint inside. Her smile was contagious and had everyone in the room smiling. Lilli was officially declared in remission when a bone marrow biopsy in May revealed the absence of leukemia cells in her blood and marrow. She will still undergo one more round of aggressive chemotherapy to ensure that the cancer does not return.Lilli’s mom says, “We're continually amazed by Lilli's strength, resiliency and sheer determination to fight this battle. Lilli’s family was so grateful for the gifts from Subaru and said that little gestures of kindness like that go a long way in the hospital. The family has been overwhelmed with the amount of support and love they have received throughout this difficult journey.When Lilli’s family is through with this battle, they intend on paying it forward to other families to the best of their ability.
In June 2017, Subaru of America and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) spread love, hope and warmth to cancer patients and their families in communities across the country. Customers visiting White Bear Subaru were given the chance to write personalized messages of hope to patients in their local community. Those care cards were then handed out alongside a donated blanket to provide comfort and warmth to patients being treated at Children's Hospitals & Clinics of Minnesota.One such patient was Saunder Strong. On August 10, 2015 Saunder was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at the age of 12. ALL is the most common type of cancer in kids under 20, and pediatric patients like Saunder have to undergo three years of treatment. These treatment phases will take him all the way through his sophomore year of high school. Saunder says “The past year was painful and scary. Cancer made me and my life unrecognizable… it was life in isolation and my temporary new physical appearance was one I never got comfortable with. But these days I’m not feeling as wrecked and I’m enjoying the life of a teenager…!” Saunder and his family have chosen to give back by partnering with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man & Woman of the Year campaign to raise support and awareness for blood cancers. Saunder will be the 2018 Boy of the Year, and on June 22 he proudly accepted a blanket from White Bear Subaru alongside his care team on behalf of all patients at Children's MN.
I was looking to buy a used Subaru, but the new Crosstrek caught my eye. After a test drive, I knew I needed it. Has surpassed my expectations on mileage and handling on snow and ice. Was also impressed with the people at White Bear Subaru. This is the fifth Subaru I have had, will never drive any other car.
Basic Animal Rescue Training (BART) was established in 2004 by veterinarian Dr. Janet Olson in response to the tragic loss of a pet in a house fire in her community. The burning home belonged to a firefighter, and his 13-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer named Bart was trapped inside. The department was able to put out the fire and locate Bart, but he was unresponsive. The firefighters, including Dr. Olson's husband, did not have the knowledge or equipment to help Bart; and he succumbed to smoke inhalation. The entire fire department was deeply affected by this tragedy and felt helpless to save a family member of one of their own. Dr. Olson developed the BART program in honor and memory of Bart. BART's mission is to empower firefighters and other first responders to be prepared and equipped to address pets and livestock encountered in emergencies and disasters. BART serves to honor the human-animal bond and preserve human health, safety and well-being. Since 2004, more than 5000 first responders in Minnesota, Iowa and Oklahoma have been trained by BART Certified Instructors and equipped with the necessary medical/response equipment.
Did White Bear Subaru go above and beyond, provide exceptional service, or support causes that are important to you? We'd love to hear about it.
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