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What's Happening at Balise? |
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| Great Turnout for Rays of Hope Walk in '08
Grand Opening: The All-New Balise Buick Pontiac GMC
Balise Provides New Scoreboard for Agawam Little League
Grand Opening: The All-New Balise Hyundai
American Heart Association Exhibit on Display at Balise Toyota Scion in West Springfield
Balise Toyota Scion of Warwick Hosts Series of Public Service Events
Balise Lexus Sponsors Jack O’Neill Memorial Golf Tournament to Support STCC Foundation
Student's Shot Wins a Lease on a New Nissan During Providence College Basketball Game
2008 "Bowl for Kids' Sake!"
Welcome Balise Hyundai of Cape Cod
Balise Celebrates the Grand Opening of Balise Nissan of Cape Cod
Balise Supports YMCA Youth Sports Program
No Small Turnout for 2008 Little League Signups at Balise Chevrolet of Warwick
Balise Chevrolet Sponsors Little League
Balise Sponsors West Springfield Skate Park
Jeb Balise Receives Entrepreneurial Honor
Balise Continues Strong Support of Automotive Youth Educational Systems
Balise Toyota Grassroots Event a Big Success
Balise Mity Mites Skating Strong for 17 Years! | |
Great Turnout for Rays of Hope Walk in '08
15,000 dedicated people walked for the cure for breast cancer on October 26th, 2008 at Forest Park in Springfield. More than $725,000 was raised to support Baystate Health's Rays of Hope charity. Balise was well-represented at the walk, serving once again as a Silver Sponsor of the event.
Balise and Associates raised and donated over $14,000 through pledges, car tag and keychain sales, raffles, "pink and denim" dress-down days and a car wash held on Saturday, September 6th.
The Rays of Hope organization supports breast cancer research and local support programs at Baystate Health as well as several community breast cancer programs throughout Western Massachusetts. CLICK HERE to learn more about this worthy cause. |  | .jpg)
Grand Opening:
The All-New Balise Buick Pontiac GMC
Balise Buick Pontiac GMC has moved across I-91 to West Columbus Avenue, next to Balise Chevrolet. Our service and parts departments are now located in the modern and spacious GM Service & Parts center, serving all Buick, Pontiac, GMC and Chevrolet vehicles utilizing the latest in state-of-the-art technology. Shopping for your next new or used vehicle will be a pleasant experience inside our brand new 20,000 square foot Buick Pontiac GMC showroom. You’ll find a large selection of new and used vehicles to choose from at all-new Balise Buick Pontiac GMC on West Columbus Avenue in Springfield. We look forward to serving you! | 
Balise Provides New Scoreboard
for Agawam Little League
A new state-of-the-art electronic scoreboard was recently introduced during a ceremony held by the Agawam Little League Board of Directors. Mike Balise was on hand for the unveiling on July 2nd, 2008 at the baseball field behind Phelps School located at 85 School Street in Agawam.
All of the funds to purchase the new scoreboard were provided by Balise Motor Sales.
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Grand Opening:
The All-New Balise Hyundai
Balise Hyundai has moved into an all-new 26,000 square foot dealership a few hundred yards south on East Columbus Avenue. Our new Hyundai dealership is substantially larger, more modern and better in every way. The customer service reception area and service and parts departments overall are much larger and vastly improved, with more service bays and lifts and the latest in state-of-the-art technology. The showroom and outdoor vehicle display are greatly expanded and improved as well, with enough lot space to display 250 cars, offering you a larger selection of new Hyundai vehicles and used cars to choose from in a much nicer setting. We look forward to serving you at the all-new Balise Hyundai on East Columbus Avenue in Springfield. | 
American Heart Association Exhibit Displayed at Balise Toyota Scion in West Springfield
The American Heart Association's "Little Faces of Heart" traveling exhibit was recently hosted by Balise Toyota Scion in West Springfield. The exhibit aims to raise awareness of congenital heart defects in children, the number one cause of death during the first year of life.
On display in the Balise Toyota Scion showroom during the entire month of May 2008 were 11 poster-sized color photographs of children in Western Massachusetts who have overcome heart defects and those who are "Heart Healthy Heroes" in their communities. Each young face conveys the journey and victory over heart disease or stroke. Other "Faces of Heart" tell the experiences of children who have successfully battled obesity, either through a personal struggle or through youth advocacy efforts
To learn more about the Little Faces of Heart traveling exhibit, visit www.americanheart.org.
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Balise Toyota Scion of Warwick
Hosts Series of Public Service Events
Balise Toyota Scion hosted a week-long series of public service events beginning June 2nd, 2008 at their Post Road, Warwick location. Managing Partner, Tom Pipoli, said that he was excited to give back to the community that has so embraced the Balise Auto Group since coming into the market two years ago.
The first event on Monday, June 2nd was Child Car Seat Safety. Warwick Police and Fire personnel were on hand to check car seat installation. Balise Toyota Service Director, Bill Burrows, spearheaded this event. Those in attendance could register to win a free car seat from Balise. Refreshments were served.
Tuesday, June 3rd was a First Responders event. Area police, firefighters and EMT’s were invited to attend this special program about how to handle a hybrid car in a collision. Factory specialists and technicians demonstrated how to properly approach a hybrid and safely dismantle the electrical power. This free clinic was a must see for all First Responders!
A Cut Away of a Toyota Tundra truck and engine was on display on Wednesday, June 4th. The public was invited to see the capabilities, enhancements and safety features on the new Toyota Tundra. Refreshments were served.
The Scion NRG Group hosted a Scion Car Show on Thursday, June 5th. Scion enthusiasts from all over New England were invited to display their vehicles. Attendees tried their hand at a Scion driving simulator and video game along with other activities and giveaways. The free event was open to the public.
The week-long series concluded on Saturday, June 7th with a Wine Tasting Fundraiser for St. Rose of Lima School. People’s Liquors provided the wine tasting and local restaurants including Café Romanzo, Remington House, Red Stripe Restaurant, and Sweet Indulgence served hors d’oeuvres and treats. A silent auction of more than 200 items featuring a Caribbean Cruise for 2, as well as signed sports memorabilia and local restaurant gift certificates was also held.
“We’re really pleased to do these types of events for the public. We’ve been planning for some time to do it and we decided just to make it a week long celebration for the community, “said Pipoli. | 
Balise Lexus Sponsors Jack O’Neill Memorial
Golf Tournament to Support STCC Foundation
The STCC Foundation honored the late Jack O'Neill and his commitment to the college with its 15th annual golf tournament, held June 2nd, 2008 at The Ranch Golf Club in Southwick, Massachusetts. The tournament was designated last year as the Jack O'Neill Memorial Golf Tournament. Balise Lexus assisted in fundraising efforts for the event, which raised $25,000 for the STCC Foundation.
According to William Kwolek, Executive Director of the STCC Foundation, "The benevolence that Balise Lexus has shown is a testament to the good will of a local business that supports the community, and also helps to pay homage to Jack, a man who recognized STCC's important role in Western Massachusetts."
The mission of the STCC Foundation is to help Springfield Technical Community College meet its goals and commitment to provide superior educational opportunities in the community. The Foundation accomplishes this through fundraising, promoting the college as a community resource, and by securing private resources, planned gifts and donations to support special projects.
Pictured above is STCC Foundation board member Darlene Libiszewski, speaking at the tournament.
CLICK HERE for more information about the STCC Foundation.
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Welcome Balise Hyundai of Cape Cod
Balise Hyundai of Cape Cod opened its doors on March 1, 2008 in the newly refurbished former Hyannis Nissan building just down the street from Balise Nissan of Cape Cod. This is an exciting addition to the Ford of Hyannis and Balise Nissan of Cape Cod franchises. | 
Balise Celebrates the Grand Opening
of Balise Nissan of Cape Cod
On September 22, 2007, Balise opened a new and improved Nissan dealership in Hyannis. The new dealership, which replaces Hyannis Nissan, is in a better location and a much nicer building with newly updated equipment. It sits on about 2 ½ acres located at 258 North Street in Hyannis, Massachusetts. | 
Student's Shot Wins a Lease on a New Nissan
During Providence College Basketball Game
During the Friars’ basketball game against Seton Hall on January 24th, 2008. Kyle Tibbetts, a Providence College sophomore from Milford, MA, stepped to the line (the half-court line, that is) for a chance to win a lease on a new 2008 Nissan Sentra from Balise Nissan of Warwick. Ignoring the pressure of the moment, Kyle dribbled to the line and earned the loudest cheer of the night from the more than 9000 fans in attendance when his heave went in.
In case you missed it, Kyle’s shot was the #1 play on ESPN’s SportsCenter that night! | 
Balise Supports YMCA Youth Sports Program
Balise is a long-time sponsor of local youth sports. One such program is a youth basketball league that runs during the Winter at the Springfield YMCA located at 275 Chestnut Street. According to Steve Clay, former President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Springfield, "Our youth sports program is an integral part of what we do here at the YMCA of Greater Springfield. As our major youth sports program sponsor, Balise has partnered with us to keep kids off the street while delivering a solid youth sports program that embraces the core values of the YMCA: caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Together, we are setting the stage for our youth to learn the value of fair play, develop leadership skills and build one’s self image so that they can become active and productive adults in the years to come."
Jeb Balise, President of Balise Motor Sales, is proud of the company's association with YMCA sports programs. "What's important to us at Balise as the sponsor of youth sports programs at the YMCA of Greater Springfield is not the number of banners displaying our name that hang on the gymnasium wall, or that the Balise name appears on the team t-shirts. Rather, it's the hundreds of youth that benefit from participating in programs that improve physical abilities, teach team building and leadership skills while being engaged in positive activities. We are pleased to partner with the YMCA to help build strong kids, strong families and strong communities."
Balise hopes to continue its sponsorship of these programs well into the future. CLICK HERE for more information on the program. | 
No Small Turnout for 2008 Little League
Signups at Balise Chevrolet of Warwick
Signups for the Warwick West Side Little League were recently hosted by Balise Chevrolet of Warwick. The signups were held on 3 dates and there was quite a turnout. The biggest crowd was on January 19th, thanks to a visit from former Pawtucket and Boston Red Sox first baseman/ NESN Red Sox analyst Sam Horn, who signed autographs and talked baseball with the kids for several hours. 225-250 kids and their families visited that day.
Sam is currently the CEO and Head Instructor of the Around the Horn Sports Center in East Greenwich, RI, which opened in 2002. The indoor facility offers batting cages and other equipment, as well as private lessons and group classes in all aspects of baseball and softball. The center’s website can be found at http://www.aroundthehornsc.com.
“Around the horn” is a term for a double-play where the ball is thrown from third base to second to first. | 
2008 "Bowl for Kids' Sake!"
For the past three years Balise Associate Susanne Dubiel has volunteered her time and organized a team of bowlers to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County. This year Susanne and her team of 15 volunteers raised a total of $2570. They had a great time at the event on April 25th, 2008 while helping a very worthy cause.
CLICK HERE to find out more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County. | 
Balise Chevrolet Sponsors Little League
Balise Chevrolet in Springfield is the proud sponsor of the Springfield Titans, a local Little League team. The Chevrolet Local Marketing Group spearheaded the sponsorship with Balise Chevrolet designated as the official distribution point for Little League supplies.
On Saturday, April 19th, 2008, players and their families visited the store to get helmets, bat bags, baseballs and first aid kits. The Titans play at Picknelly Field in Springfield.
Go Titans! | 
Balise Sponsors West Springfield Skate Park
A significant number of area youths have been enjoying the past few summers at the Balise Scion Skate Park at Cook Playground on Amostown Road in West Springfield. The new park is a reincarnation of the original wooden facility that had deteriorated over time and was taken down in early 2005 due to safety concerns.
Balise underwrote the entire material cost of $60,000 and provided the experienced manpower from Balise Collision Repair Centers, Balise Toyota and Balise Ford to assemble the park components. The entire construction project, with assistance from members of the West Springfield Park & Recreation Department, was completed in a single day. All materials used in the project are state-of-the-art, designed to resist the effects of New England winters and provide many years of safe operation.
The new skate park was unofficially opened for public use on July 17th, 2006 with the official dedication following on July 25. Formal ceremonies were attended by city officials, members of Balise senior management and the public. The highlight of the event was an exhibition by Maximum Velocity, a high performance skating demonstration team.
Along with a significant business presence in West Springfield, Balise has a long history of community service and service to youth activities within the Greater Springfield area.
CLICK HERE to read related articles from the Springfield Republican. | 
Jeb Balise Receives Entrepreneurial Honor
Recognized for his ability to see opportunities and capitalize upon them, Jeb Balise was chosen BusinessWest magazine’s Top Entrepreneur for 2005. The award, which the magazine has been presenting each year for the past decade, goes to local business owners who best exemplify the basic tenets of entrepreneurship – business success, persistence, risk-taking, community involvement and an ability to “stay ahead of the curve”.
From the article in their publication, BusinessWest remarks ”It was Jeb Balise who had the vision and drive to make Balise into what is known in the business as a mega-dealer, or dealer group, one of the largest in New England and within the top 70 nationwide. Reaching this status has required a good bit of daring, some successful forecasting of the future in a business where there are no five-year plans because the industry moves too quickly, and the ability to see opportunities where others might see danger signs.”
CLICK HERE to read the full article from the January 9, 2006 edition of BusinessWest magazine. | 
Balise Continues Strong Support of
Automotive Youth Educational Systems
Balise dealerships continue to participate in the Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES) mentorship program. This is a school-to-career initiative which addresses the shortage of automotive technicians in today’s job market. This program carefully coordinates and integrates high school classroom learning with on-the-job experiences.
Students benefit because they can more readily grasp the direct relationship between academic theory and the very real needs of employers. They also prepare for the next career step, whether that be additional formal education at the college-level or full-time work experience.
As participants, Balise dealerships benefit by helping to ensure that tomorrow’s high school graduates will be well-prepared associates. They accomplish this by literally taking a role in shaping the curriculum of the students in their own community. Participation also provides dealerships with a continuing source of qualified entry-level technicians. | 
Balise Toyota Grassroots Event a Big Success
The scenic banks of the Connecticut River at Jones Ferry, Holyoke were the setting for The Harvest Festival of Nuestras Raices, at the Nuestras Raices Urban Farm on September 24th, 2005. From noon to 6:00 PM approximately 1200 guests ate, danced, viewed demonstrations and enjoyed cultural fellowship. Highlights included traditional Latino music and cuisine as well as a Paso Fino horse exhibition. Guests also enjoyed the opportunity to utilize the river for canoeing, kayaking and/or fishing.
Balise Toyota, in conjunction with Toyota Motor Company, served as major sponsor for this event. Selected vehicles from Balise Toyota were on display with bilingual sales and service specialists in attendance to provide product information to the public upon request. The farm site serves as an agricultural business incubator and training ground for those interested in farming or ranching careers. | 
Balise Mity Mites Skating Strong for 17 Years!
For the 17th year, Balise is proud to sponsor the Mity Mite hockey program at Springfield Falcons games. Youth hockey mite teams from throughout Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut play a three to four minute game during the first intermission at Falcons home games. The future hockey stars are a perennial favorite of Falcons fans. Hundreds of youth hockey players get to experience the thrill of playing on the Mass Mutual Center ice, courtesy of Balise. Balise is pleased to support local youth sports and proud to continue our partnership with the Springfield Falcons.
CLICK HERE to visit the Balise Mity Mites page. |
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