A Wayland area business, West Michigan Auto Auction, has received the 2016 Auction of the Year Award from the National Auto Auction Association (NAAA). The inaugural award, which honors excellence in community service, was presented to WMAA at the national company’s convention last month. A $20,000 check goes with the award, which they will divide between DeVos Children’s Hospital and West Michigan Connected Family, Inc,.
“Our team is honored to be the inaugural winner of this distinguished award from the NAAA. We believe in our community and giving back with both our time and financial support. We are a family and will continue to do what we can to make an impact in our community,” General Manager Carl Miskotten said.
The auto auction’s community service includes :
* An employee donating a kidney to a dealer customer’s employee.
* Creating West Michigan Connected Family, Inc., a non-profit funded by employee contributions given to community organizations and employee efforts.
* Raising $42,000 for the family of a Michigan auction worker who died in a car accident, and holding an annual memorial ride.
* Donating a specially modified Dodger to former U.S. Army Sergeant Brandon Moracco, a quadruple amputee survivor who served in Afghanistan, that he can drive on his own.
* Donating vehicle repair for financially challenged individuals.
Also, continuing to raise funds, commit time and bring awareness to local and national needs – including, Wright for Kids, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, 20 Liters, community walks, food pantry collections, golf sponsorships, orphanages and mission trips.//
“We want to congratulate West Michigan Auto Auction and thank those involved at the auction who consistently give unselfishly of their time, effort, and money to so many wonderful community service organizations,” NAAA President Mike Browning said.
WMAA received the 2016 Midwest Auction of the Year Award from the NAAA in October. The $5,000 that came with the award was donated to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.
West Michigan Auto Auction is in Wayland on 86 acres with 12 lanes, and more than 300 employees. The auction consigns over 1,400 vehicles a week with 1,000 dealers in attendance.
For more information on the business, visit wmaa.net.
Photo: Pictured at the award ceremony are (left to right) NAAA President Mike Browning, with WWMA employees, Fleet Lease Manager Jana Raushcenberg, General Manager Carl Miskotten, Comptroller Kate VanDyke, Dealer Registration Clerk Melinda Dykstra, and Accountant Rebecca Ward.
