Providing clothing to students in need across Cassia and Minidoka counties, the Young Automotive Group’s nonprofit — the Young Caring for Our Young Foundation — held their annual Julie’s Clothes for Kids event on Aug. 7.
“We love Julie’s Clothes for Kids because of its incredible impact,” said Tami Olsen, Young Caring for Our Young’s director. “It brings a community of people together for an important cause, and creates a ripple of good across Cassia and Minidoka. We’re grateful for all of the amazing partners who are invested in this initiative and dedicated to keeping it running. This wouldn’t be possible without them.”
Hosted at the Walmart parking lot on 385 Overland Avenue in Burley, children were paired with volunteers and given a $150 gift card to shop for school clothing. Once purchases were made, the children chose backpacks, books and school supplies outside of the store.
Students were selected for the event by Cassia and Minidoka’s school districts. This year, nearly 250 children were shopped for and hundreds of volunteers attended — including individuals from the Young Automotive Group and people local to the area.
“Our dealership’s incredibly grateful for the opportunities we’ve had to help with Julie’s Clothes for Kids,” said Mike Gailey, Young Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Fiat Burley’s general manager. “Every year we participate, our team leaves with a feeling of gratitude and a new perspective on this incredible area. It provides a great way to make a difference.”
An event established before the start of the decade, Julie’s Clothes for Kids began as a tribute for Julie Breshears — a community member who was actively involved with local schools until her passing in 2018. Members of Breshears’ family have worked with the foundation to hold this initiative in her honor.
This year’s event coincides with the Young Automotive Group’s 100 year anniversary. Founded in 1924 by Seldon “Jack” Olsen in Morgan, Utah, the company has grown from a single dealership to an operation with over 30 automotive and powersports franchises across three states.
Young Caring for Our Young became a part of the Young Automotive Group in 2007. Since its inception, the organization has provided communities with over $6.5 million.
“This year’s obviously been one for reflection across our company,” Olsen said. “Gratitude is a central part of the Young Automotive Group, and participating in Julie’s Clothes for Kids is a perfect way to foster that feeling. We’re so much more than a chain of dealerships, and it’s events like this that showcase that.”
