I just came back from NADA in Orlando, FL, which was a great show. However, with all the wonderful things I ran into at the show, I honestly think that one of the highlights was seeing U.S. Army Veteran and Automotive Sales Trainer Joe Verde make the winning bid of $26,000 on a 2011 Fat Boy Harley-Davidson motorcycle. You can view the video here: http://ow.ly/hIWub .The live auction event, sponsored by NADA and ADESA, was held to benefit wounded veterans, a wonderful cause worth supporting.

The motorcycle was donated by ADESA, which runs vehicle auctions throughout North America. According to the association, the Frank E. McCarthy Memorial Fund of the NADA Charitable Foundation has contributed $190,000 to Canine Companions, placing 19 companion dogs with physically disabled children and military veterans since 2002. The NADA Foundation established the fund to honor McCarthy after his death in 2001.  

Joe Verde, president of Joe Verde Sales & Management Training Inc., in San Juan Capistrano, California, served in the U.S. Army for more than seven years. He was stationed in Vietnam during the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1969, as a CH-47 Flight Engineer. Verde’s father was a veteran, and his son and grandkids are all veterans. As a Purple Heart recipient himself, he has a strong connection with other veterans and has become active in ways to help them make a smoother transition into their lives back at home. His winning bid of $26,000 will benefit the Wounded Veterans Initiative of Canine Companions for Independence and provide up to three specially-trained service dogs to assist disabled U.S. veterans. Word on the grapevine is that Joe does not plan to hold onto the Harley himself, but has further charitable plans for it, so stay tuned …..

Please do all you can to support this worthy cause: http://ow.ly/hIWAi