Everyone at The MOBILITY Center in Orange, CA would like to thank all of the Readers of The OC REGISTER for nominating us in the "Holiday Spirit Awards".http://headlines.ocregister.com/news/_6343___article.html/_.htmlThe MOBILITY Center 800-708-6399
1748 W. Chapman Ave
Orange CA 92868 
Story from Orange County Register:
Generosity is a way of life
By JAN NORMAN The Orange County RegisterA car dealer, a marketing consultant, an insurance broker. These are the three Orange County business owners who Register readers voted as most deserving of the title of Holiday Spirit for 2008.
Online and print readers nominated more than 60 local business owners for their generosity, kindness and good will all year long.
What is so special about a car dealer, a marketing consultant and an insurance broker?
It is not their occupations but the way they live their lives and conduct their daily business, their nominators said.
Read about them and then find out who ocregister.com readers voted as the 21st Annual Holiday Spirit. This is the first year readers have been able to select as well as nominate for this recognition.
David Wilson, Wilson Automotive Group, Orange
Wilson describes himself as an Iowa farm boy whose family of seven didn’t have indoor plumbing until he was 14.
“You learn early that there are people who don’t have things and that it’s true: the more you give, the more you get,” Wilson said.
He has 1,400 employees – and no layoffs during tough times for the auto industry – but when he had just 100 employees selling 10,000 cars a year, Wilson decided that he couldn’t personally take care of every customer, but he could take care of 100 employees and they would take care of customers.
“Since 1976 he has been my auto dealer for both my husband and me,” said reader Betty Peters. “In 1997, I became a widow, and he has made my life better for being the honest man he is, along with all his employees.”
Wilson Vice President Vikki Murphy, who nominated Wilson on behalf of his employees, said: “Since coming to Orange in 1982, David has been a benefactor to virtually every school, hospital or charitable organization in one way or another.”
Wilson long has helped Orangewood Children’s Home. During a 1986 cold spell, he went out and bought 20 humidifiers and set them up at the home for children with colds and flu.
“If you wait for boards to meet and vote and requisition equipment, it would be spring,” Wilson said casually.
When Orangewood almost closed its doors in the 1990s recession, Wilson gave $100,000 to keep it going and told management not to reveal the donor.
Wilson now owns 16 dealerships, each with a junior partner. Longtime employees can earn up to 25 percent ownership through sweat equity, Wilson said. “That’s what I’m most proud of. We grow our own people and when they’re ready, I buy another dealership.”
Colleen Edwards, PowerMark, San Juan Capistrano
“When I read about last year’s award, I immediately knew Colleen was an ideal candidate for the Holiday Spirit Award, as she truly reflects the spirit of the season in everything she does, big or small,” said nominator Rachel Katz, a PowerMark employee.
Edwards took an active role in San Juan Capistrano voters’ passage of a $30 million bond measure to preserve the city’s open space.
Each year, Edwards gives a fall party to express gratitude and thanks to her clients, partners and employees. She encourages and supports her employees who want to get more education. She promotes from within and continually recognizes her staff with gifts, bonuses and a monthly team lunch and “Fun Friday,” Katz said.
Edwards and her husband recently were invited to join Legatus, an organization of executives to bring Christ’s value to the workplace.
She teaches marketing at UC Irvine and serves on the board of the Orange County Venture Group.
“I worked for (founder) Ted Smith at FileNet (in Costa Mesa), and he told me, ‘I can’t help everyone so I pick a few where I can make a big impact.’ I’ve tried to do that as well,” Edwards said. “It’s important to make your community and workplace better places.”
Laverne Friedmann, Friedmann & Friedmann Insurance Services, Newport Beach
“Laverne has been a wonderful ambassador for the mission and vision of Laura’s House,” said Margaret Bayston, executive director of the program for abused women in nominating Friedmann.
While she makes generous donations of clothing and money to Laura’s House, Friedmann believes in giving herself to the charities she supports.
With her son and daughter-in-law, Friedmann completely updated the shelter’s vegetable garden.
“It’s never just money,” Friedmann said. “My family is always first and they are hospitable and philanthropic, too. God has blessed us so much, we want to share.”
Son Steve said of his mother, “She treats everyone like family. You know it’s true when she walks a client’s production floor and receives hugs from many, including the former female gang member with spider tattoos on her neck as well as the CEO.”
With 20 years as a business owner, “Laverne is a wonderful example of a woman who has broken ground to achieve great success in business … and she always remembers that helping others is one of the most essential gifts she has been given,” Bayston said.
While this trio and all the nominees are wonderful credits to Orange County, readers decided that David Wilson is the 21st Annual Holiday Spirit winner.
“I’m sure all of the (nominees) are outstanding based on the comments provided,” Sean Evans wrote on the online ballot. “Mr. Wilson’s contributions and care for his community and employees are exceptionally generous, warm and sincere.”
Merry Christmas and a joyous 2009.
Nominees for 21st Annual Holiday Spirit Award
Nominees for Orange County Register’s 21st Annual Holiday Spirit Award to honor Orange County business owners who exhibit kindness, generosity and good will all year.
Ray and Nancy Aguirre, CARDSMART, La Habra
Gordon Bair, Marbleworks, Huntington Beach
Donna Billman, Donna B’s Bakery, Laguna Niguel
Markus and Sandy Bohi, Four Star Distribution, San Clemente
Grace Chang, VIP Cleaners, Lake Forest
Brett Clark, Saddleback Automotive, Santa Ana
Scott Davis and Dan Leichty, Cal Bath, Newport Beach
Susan Debin, medical practice, Orange
Peter and Larry Dunkel, Dunkel Brothers, Anaheim
Colleen Edwards, PowerMark, San Juan Capistrano
Laverne Friedmann, Friedmann & Friedmann Insurance Services, Newport Beach
Geof Garth and Dan Williamson, Aspen Medical Products, Irvine
Mike Faas, Stone and Ceramic Surfaces, Huntington Beach
Cara Good, Wundermarx PR, Tustin
Chris Gronowski, Shelter Street & Skate, Fullerton
Alice Gustafson, Breakfast in the Park, Huntington Beach
Dave Hanna, Hanna’s Restaurant, Rancho Santa Margarita
Bob Harraka, Professional Tutors of America Inc., Brea
Joseph Harrington, Harrington Automotive, Orange
John Henry, Paul’s Japanese Auto, Rancho Santa Margarita
Irene Himes, Slater & Sloan, San Juan Capistrano
Lisa Hughes, Hughes & Sullivan Family Law, Tustin
Natalie Marie Hustad, Bonne Vie Fitness, Aliso Viejo
Donna Kalez, Dana Wharf Sportfishing, Dana Point
Mary Kelly, Kelly’s Hair Design, Tustin
Marie Kolasinski, Piecemakers Country Store, Costa Mesa
Elizabeth and Oli Kolar, Kolar & Associates, Santa Ana
Jack Loconsolo, Jack’s Restaurant, Dana Point
Robert Matranga, Bomel Construction Co., Anaheim
Kim Maya, Schmid’s Fine Chocolates, San Clemente
Arlene Mitani, Two Scoops Aloha, Laguna Hills
Cheryl Norton, Design Studio, Tustin
Andy Patel, Rodeway Inn, Buena Park
John Patterson, Tustin Mazda, Tustin
Omer Shalikar, The Mobility Center, OrangeLonnie and Claire Shepard, Infusion Restaurant, Ladera Ranch
Steve Sy, SC Donuts, San Clemente
Hank Thomas, Hometown Grooming, Capistrano Beach
John Harvey Tucker, Tucker Tire, Laguna Niguel
Michelle Turner, Sugar Shack Restaurant, Huntington Beach
Henry Walker, Farmers & Merchants Bank, 12 branches in Orange County
Allen Ward, Russ Ward Auto Body, Anaheim
Lloyd and Noriko Weinstein, Benjies Deli & Restaurant, Santa Ana
Jeffery Weitz, Mile Square Animal Hospital, Fountain Valley
Matthew Wheaton, Alicia Pet Clinic, Mission Viejo
Ron Williams, Talon Companies, Fountain Valley
David Wilson, Wilson Automotive Group, Orange
Mauricio Zavala, Orbit Printing, Orange
