10/09/2009

Irvine, Calif. - The Ninth Annual Motorcycle Ride "Cruisin' for the Good Life" took place on Sunday, September 27. All proceeds raised will directly benefit the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriff (AOCDS) Memorial Fund & Fallen Fire Fighter Relief Fund.

More than 400 area motorcyclists participated and it is estimated that more than $40,000 was raised from this single event.

"Cruisin' for the Good Life" 2009 started at the Ocean Institue in dana Point and featured stops at Allen Cadillac, the Orange County Fire Authority, the Orange County Sheriff's Training Center and Mission Motorsports. The ride ended with a huge event at the Irvine Auto Center, highlighted with live music, food and drink, and numerous raffle prizes including a 2009 Harley Davidson motorcycle.

On behalf of the Irvine Auto Center, a $5,000 check for the AOCDS Memorial Fund was presented to Shiree Colton, Executive Assistant of AOCDS, by Denice Fladeboe, President of the Irvine Auto Center's Board of Directors and Vice President of the Fladeboe Automotive Group. The same amount was also presented to Steve Cook, Captain of the Orange County Fire Authority, by Fladeboe.

Servine on the committee of the event were Shiree Colton, Executive Assistant of AOCDS, Wayne Quint, Jr, President of AOCDS, Harold Kaufman, Consultant of EPS Settlement Group, Brud Le Tourneau, Chair of 2009 Cruisin' for the Good Life Ride Committee, Sonia LeTourneau, ACN Representative, Scott Allen, Co-President of Allen Cadillac, Bill Heard, Preisdent of Abbott Pools, Inc., Bill Leber, Consultant of Wells Fargo Home morgage, and Steve Cook, Captain of Orange County Fire Authority.

Both benefiting charities are grateful for the generous support from their sponsors which included: 5th Marine Regiment Support Group, 7up, RC of Orange, Allen FAmily Automotive Group, Amazin Tents, Anaheim Police Assn., Bad Ass Chaps, Boy Scout Troop $723, Brown Insurance Services, Brio Tuscany Grille, The Calvert Company, Chota Media Inc., Coffee Imports in Dana Point DOnna B's Cookies, Irvine Auto Center, LA County Professional Peace Officers Assn., LA Police Protective League, La Fiesta Mexican Grill, Level 2 Designs, John Dravinski, Jordan Braun, Hooters of Anaheim, Kent Colton, Miller Kaplan Arase & Co., LLP, Mission Motor Sports, Monster Energy Drink, Niagara Water, Nestle Waters, OC Harley Davidson, OC Sheriffs Academy Class 191, Ocean Institute in Dana Point, Orange Community Bank, Orange County Employee's Ass., The Pearce Group, Morgan Stanley/Smith Barney, Pepsi-Cola Bottling Group, Probolsky Research, LLC, Purple Slice, Rock & Roll, Custom Paints, Sacramento DSA, Saddlement Art, Safety Employees Benefits Assn., San Diego Gas & Electric, Santa Ana POA, Stage 58 Explorer Post and Sunny Delight.

Otto corners drivers with an urgent message of great deals on used vehicles at the Irvine Auto Center! Otto finds them on the corner of Research and Bake.

Otto parades the streets to alert drivers of the Irvine Auto Center's great deals on used vehicles! Otto alerts weekend traffic on the corner of Lake Forest and Rockfield.

Irvine, CA – Irvine Auto Center (www.irvineautocenter.com) has expanded its role in the Southern California community with a recent pledge of $20,000 aimed toward supporting men and women in uniform both locally and around the globe. In conjunction with the “Cruisin’ for the Good Life” motorcycle charity ride, held on September 23rd, Irvine Auto Center awarded $10,000 each to the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs and Heroes & Healthy Families of Camp Pendleton. The charities were selected for their commitment to the selfless protection of local residents from inside the community and from afar. Irvine Auto Center’s gift will assist these organizations in providing financial assistance and rehabilitation services for military and law enforcement personnel.

“We’ve always been committed to providing the best service for our family of customers,” said Denice Fladeboe Mock, President of the Irvine Auto Center Dealers Association and Director of Operations for the Fladeboe Automotive Group. “This year we wanted to give back to the families of those who serve our community and country every day by putting their lives on the line.”

Irvine Auto Center identified the 2007 “Cruisin’ for the Good Life” motorcycle ride fundraiser (formerly called the “Surf ‘n Turf” ride) as a commendable event with participants who share the Center’s passion for service. Over 800 riders took part in the 7th annual 80-mile ride from the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel through Camp Pendleton and ending at Brio Tuscany Grille in Dana Point. Because the ride donates registration fees to the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs and Heroes & Healthy Families of Camp Pendleton, Irvine Auto Center elected to supplement each charity with an additional $10,000 donation.

The donations were presented at the September 23rd event by Irvine Auto Center’s mascot and “SpokesOtter,” Otto, as well as Denice Fladboe Mock. Wayne Quint Jr., President of the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs, and A.J. Howard, former U.S. Marine and Coordinator for Heroes & Healthy Families at Camp Pendleton, accepted the awards on behalf of their organizations.

Irvine Auto Center offers the best deals, lowest prices and largest selection of new and used trucks and SUV’s anywhere in Orange County. With 14 dealerships and hundreds of makes and models available, Irvine Auto Center provides unparalleled convenience, savings and service for its customers.