October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and this year marks the fifteenth anniversary of the Norma J. Ross Memorial Foundation. Joining us on today’s episode of Inside Automotive is Jenell Ross, the president of Bob Ross Automotive Group, who has made it her mission to drive awareness in the automotive industry and beyond.
The Norma J. Ross Memorial Foundation was created after Ross’s mother, Norma, lost her battle with breast cancer in April 2010. Following her passing, Ross’s two goddaughters developed the foundation’s trademarked logo, “Pink Ribbon Driven.”
The foundation’s mission is to educate the community about the importance of preventative monitoring through mammograms and provide ongoing support for individuals diagnosed with breast cancer.
This year, the Norma J. Ross Memorial Foundation served as a title sponsor for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Breast Cancer Walk and is hosting several events throughout October. On Saturday, Oct. 18, the foundation will hold a conference featuring healthcare providers and breast cancer survivors to discuss breast health awareness and the impact of breast cancer.
The Bob Ross Automotive Group is also heavily involved in advocacy work. For every vehicle sold in September, the dealerships donate to the American Cancer Society, while in October, donations go to the Norma J. Ross Memorial Foundation. Each fall, the dealerships are decorated with pink ribbons, pink lighting, pink exterior decals and Pink Ribbon Driven logos.
"It's not just about October—it's 365."
Advocacy efforts aren’t limited to just September and October. Dealership staff wear Pink Ribbon Driven merchandise year-round. Sold vehicles are wrapped in pink ribbon instead of traditional red; shuttles and loaners display Pink Ribbon Driven logos; and license plate brackets feature the Pink Driven Ribbon insignia.
The Ross Automotive Group is highly respected in the local community for its ongoing advocacy work, which has had a profound positive effect. The group’s advocacy has also had a positive impact on the dealership’s culture, providing a support system for impacted employees and encouraging staff to engage in meaningful, community-focused efforts.
To support the Norma J. Ross Memorial Foundation, click here.
