Sparks Tire & Auto Finds New Way To Give In 2020

Sparks Tire & Auto, a NAPA Gold Certified AutoCare Center in St. Charles, Missouri, has been serving the area’s vehicle owners since 1984. Not only is owner Ron Tinner and his team committed to their customers, they are also committed to the community in which they do business.

Ron believes in giving back. Over the years, Sparks Tire & Auto has spearheaded toy drives, food drives, and efforts to grant Christmas wishes for people with disabilities. A few years ago, they made the toy drive benefiting St. Louis Children’s Hospital an annual event and also donated 60 fully filled Easter baskets to the hospital in 2019. That same year the shop worked with a local crisis center to give away a car to an area resident in need of reliable transportation.

The collection drives and vehicle giveaway were intended to become annual events, but in 2020, the pandemic changed everything. However, Sparks Tire & Auto has still found ways to give back. For six weeks this spring, Sparks thanked the area’s front line health care workers, first responders, and veterans, by giving them free oil changes and a complimentary vehicle inspection. More than 55 individuals took Sparks up on their offer.

Sparks Tire & Auto is collecting toys again this year. But because the hospital has had to restrict donations due to COVID-19, this year all the toys collected will be donated to Toys for Tots. To thank customers for their generosity, Sparks is giving a $50 savings voucher to those who donate a toy—good on any maintenance, service, or repair of $300 or more through the end of the year. In the past, Sparks has collected several car loads of toys and is hopeful this year will be the same.