Vaughn Wyant is very good at running auto dealerships, but his other passion is giving back to his community.
The Saskatoon business man was recognized by Ford for his philanthropy at the Salute to Dealers awards in New Orleans Thursday night. Wyant was one of six dealership owners chosen from among 80 nominees worldwide.
Wyant led a hands-on effort, with fellow dealers and local businesses, to create and auction a custom-designed Ford F-100 truck at Barrett-Jackson.
The effort raised $450,000 for the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan.
The VWAG Group of Companies is also the lead sponsor of the Black Tie Bingo for the Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation, which has raised over $2 million for critical services and equipment.
More recently, Wyant donated $1 million toward the construction of the Remai Modern Art Gallery, and $500,000 to the University of Saskatchewan to help build a new arena.
“It just seems like it’s fun to make people’s lives better,”Wyant said on the Brent Loucks Show Friday.
In his family life and beyond, by investing his time and resources for a charitable cause, Wyant said he constantly looks for ways to be involved and make a difference.
“For sure you have to be successful and you have to make some profits, but the profits don’t do much good if they sit in the bank.”