Wendle Ford is Committed to Community Involvement

A man speaking to a group of people. Ranchero cars. Group of people wearing pink.

We are a family owned and operated business since 1943. Wendle Motors is committed to serving the automotive needs of the Inland Northwest by creating an atmosphere of trust, respect, and ethical values for our employees, customers, and community.

It is because of our customers and our community that we continue to succeed. We are committed to our community and strive to help our local organizations. Since the day we opened, we have invested in our community to show our gratitude and to help our community become a healthier and stronger future for us all. A strong community with a high quality of life means safer, healthier lives for you and those around you. All these actions, big and small, move the needle in a positive direction. It is often our communities that support us in hard times, and now it is our turn to support them.

Some of our involvement with our local community includes:

  • Hosting blood drives at our dealership
  • Food drives
  • Volunteer as a large group at 2nd Harvest Food Bank
  • Sponsor sports teams (for youths and adults)
  • Donate to organizations that have at least 70% of their expenses devoted to program services and prioritize those that are our employees’ passions and interests.
  • Donate to several local colleges, high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools
  • Volunteer at our local tech school
  • Company-wide United Way donations
  • Veterans' programs
  • School supplies drives
  • Local community centers

Below is a list of some of the organizations we have donated to.  Click on the name to find out more and how you can help.

1-161 Infantry Regiment
Anna Schindler Foundation
Arlington Elementary School
Assumption Parish
Back Country Horseman                                                                    
Beyond Pink
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Boys & Girls Club of Spokane County
Cancer Can't
Cancer Care Northwest
Caritas Food Bank
Caritas Outreach Ministries
Casa Partners
Cataldo Catholic School
Colbert Elementary School
Communities in Schools
Dan Kleckner's Golf Classic
Dasenbrock Racing
Deer Park Band Booster
Deer Park Rotary 
Deer Park Youth Golf
East Valley High School
Elevations-A Children's Therapy Resource Foundation
EWU-Africana Studies
Fairwinds Spokane
Faith Baptist Academy
Finch Elementary
Girl Scouts of Eastern WA and Northern ID
Giving Back Packs
Greater Spokane Inc.
Green Bluff Growers-Cherry Picker's Trot
Heroes Homestead
Higher Ground Animal Sanctuary
Hillyard Senior Center
Hutton Settlement-Hawk Walk
Hutton Settlement
Indian Trail Elementary
JDRF Community One Walk
John R Rogers Walk of Fame
Joya Child & Family Development
Kalispel Tribe of Indians
Kesam at Whitworth
Kiwanis
Lakeside Booster Club
Lewis & Clark High School
Light A Lamp
Lutheran Community Services
M.A.D. Co Lab Studios
Madison Elementary
Mead High School
Mountainside Middle School
Mt Spokane High School
Newport Hospital & Health Services
Northeast Community Center
Northeast Washington Education Council
Northeast Youth & Family Services
North East Youth Center
Northwest Christian Schools
Northwood Middle School
Our Place Community Outreach
Riverside Elementary School 
Rotary Club of Spokane Aurora Northwest
Shadle Park High School
Shiloh Hills Elementary School
Spokane Christian Schools
Spokane COPS Policing Services
Spokane County Sheriff Chaplains
Spokane Panhellenic Annual Fundraiser
Spokane Parks & Rec
Spokane Police Foundation
Spokane Public Schools Foundation
Spokane Symphony
Spokane Talks Media
St. Charles Catholic School
St. Luke's
The Finding Chemo Podcast
Trinity Catholic School
Unity in the Community
Unlock Your Future
Valley Warriors Against Cancer
Vanessa Behan
Wandermere Community Services
Washington State Air National Guard
Washington State University
West Central Community Center
Whatever Girls
Whitworth Athletics
Whitworth University
Whitworth University Women & Gender Studies
YMCA
YWCA
Graphic with business logos

Community Engagement/Events

February 2024

Sales Banquet

We celebrated with an unforgettable sales banquet at Jack and Dan's!  Cheers to our incredible team for a night filled with awards, recognition, and shared Wendle pride. The dedication, hard work and passion of our team is inspiring. We couldn't be prouder of our #WendleFamily! Here's to more successes ahead!

A group of people posing for a photo
A group of people posing for a photo
A group of men playing pool


Lunch and Learn

Every so often, we bring our team together for a rewarding lunch filled with knowledge. Our February "Lunch and Learn" emphasized our dedication to quality customer service and featured a delicious spread from Inland Northwest Catering. We delved into discussions about true EXCELLENCE in this area, recognizing the vital role each employee plays in creating exceptional experiences for customers. A big thank you to our amazing team for their hard work in ensuring satisfaction at every step!

A group of men sitting at a table
A group of people in a room
A group of men sitting at a table


Covideo Real Deal Award Winner

At the National Automobile Dealers Association Convention, Covideo announced their Real Deal Award to honor Salespeople prioritizing personal connections and transparency.  All dealers present were encouraged to enter one of their Sales Representatives to win the award.  We nominated Faheem because we are constantly impressed by his professionalism, drive and commitment to transparent, positive customer experiences.  Faheem was announced as the WINNER of their first ever Real Deal Award and receives $2,500 as the prize! CONGRATULATIONS, FAHEEM!! This award is not only well-deserved but also stands as a testament to your exceptional contributions and positive impact. We are so proud of you!

January 2024

Holiday Party

We had the BEST weekend with the BEST people! Our Wendle Family had an incredible company event at Northern Quest Resort & Casino, where we got together to celebrate a year of achievements, laughter and shared success. From a delicious dinner to engaging games, cool prizes and employee awards, we had a BLAST!!! Huge thanks to everyone who attended—your energy made the night unforgettable. Here's to the team we love and the continued success we'll achieve together!

December 2023

United Way Lunch

At Wendle, we understand the importance of giving back to out community and our employees exemplify this commitment wholeheartedly. We have proudly supported the Spokane County United Way for 35 years! For our appreciation, we celebrated together with a delicious meal from the kitchen of Longhorn Barbecue. We extend our sincere thanks to our team for their outstanding contributions. Together we have made a positive impact and we look forward to continuing this journey of making a meaningful difference in Spokane County and beyond.

November 2023

AutoSuccess Magazine-Veterans & Vehicles

We are proud to announce that Ed, a member of our Ford Service staff, has been recognized as an honoree in the AutoSuccess Magazine Veterans & Vehicles program!

From his dedicated service in the U.S. Army Reserves, where he achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant, to his exceptional 23-year career with us, Ed's journey is nothing short of inspiring. His expertise, commitment and the values he carries from his military service have not only enriched our team but also earned him this well-deserved industry acclaim. Throughout the years, Ed has played an important role in supporting countless individuals in our company.

Congratulations on your well-deserved recognition, Ed! Thank you for your service and for the positive impact you've made here at Wendle.

Man wearing glasses
Man wearing a uniform

October 2023

East Valley High School Career Night

The East Valley School District hosted its first-ever Career Crossover Event at East Valley High School, showcasing opportunities in skilled trades and industry-standard equipment for hands-on experiences. Over 70 local companies, representing diverse trades such as aerospace, masonry, automotive, and advanced manufacturing, participated in the event. The Career Crossover Event aimed to encourage the exploration of skilled trades careers, providing direct interactions between potential candidates and company representatives for job opportunities.

Wendle was thrilled to attend this event. With engaging displays, including our brake display and borescope demo, we showcased the excitement of skilled trades. The dynamic Ford F-150 Lightning and our versatile mobile service van made an appearance.

A big thank you to all the companies who participated, contributing to its success and inspiring the next generation of skilled workers. We also extend our gratitude to everyone who attended, making the event lively and engaging. A special shout-out to our exceptional Wendle team members, Austin, Chris, Nicholas, Joe, Henry, Tony, Eric and Debbie, for representing us with enthusiasm and expertise. Your dedication truly made a difference!

People looking at engine parts
Group of people testing engine
Group of people testing engine parts
Group of people with man holding a cord
Group of people testing engine parts
Group of people standing behind engine parts

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Meet Brenda, a cherished member of our #WendleFamily for 5 years. This October, we've been showing our support for breast cancer awareness. Wendle provided pink shirts and hats for everyone on our team wanting to participate every Wednesday this month. As October comes to a close, let's remember that raising awareness is an ongoing effort. We encourage you to continue educating yourself about breast cancer at BreastCancer.Org, just as we do.

Here are 4 essential facts to keep in mind for Breast Cancer Awareness Month:

  • Regular breast self-exams, annual checkups, and mammograms are vital in early detection.
  • About 30% of early-stage breast cancers spread.
  • Breast cancer affects men, too. Unfortunately, men are often diagnosed at a more advanced stage.
  • Smoking, drinking alcohol, and not exercising regularly can increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
Together, we can make a difference!

September 2023

Mead School District Staff Welcome Back Students

We were proud to support the 1,500 staff members of the Mead School District by providing T-shirts for all as they opened their doors and welcomed back students all around the district. It's heartwarming to know that educators, custodians, bus drivers, maintenance teams and office assistants came together to wear their shirts on the first day of school. Promoting the message of 'You Can Do It. We Can Help!' not only lifted up the spirits of the staff but also reinforced a sense of community and support within the district. It's opportunities like these that spread positivity throughout the educational arena that we are honored to support. Thank you, Mead School District!

Groups of people wearing badges

Fire Victim Relief

Our hearts go out to those affected by the Gray Fire and the Oregon Road Fire. Wendle is proud to have participated in the 'Fill the Truck' campaign in collaboration with KHQ Local News and Our Place Community Outreach to provide assistance to those affected by our local fires.

We collected donations of essential supplies and were happy to deliver two truckloads to Our Place Community Outreach. We thank our amazing community for your unwavering support and generosity.


Group of people sitting and standing by truck
Bags in back of truck
Man holding bag in red truck
Man carrying boxes by white truck
Man unloading bags
Man unloading bags

August 2023

Vitalant Blood Donation

We love supporting our community and we love when our Wendle staff join in. With the help of Vitalant, our team rolled up their sleeves and donated blood, giving the gift of life to those who need blood.

Donations are needed to help patients facing medical emergencies. You can help to end the critical blood shortage. To learn more and to schedule an appointment, go to Vitalant.org

People donating blood in van
Man standing by white van
People donating blood in van

June 2023

US Youth Disc Golf Association

Congratulations to the USYDGA disc golf champions! These students exemplified commitment, teamwork and leadership throughout their season with Coach Craig Kenagy and Coach George Jackson. Our Wendle team awarded the winners with advanced packs featuring a cadet bag and a collection of high-end driver, midrange and putter discs. The United States Youth Disc Golf Association provides the sport to schools and students, teaching kids how to play the game and have fun. Learn more about the organization at usydga.com.

People standing in front of trucks
People standing in front of trucks
People standing in front of trucks

May 2023

Small Business Month

We thank all those who participated in Small Business Month.

Small Business Month provides an opportunity for individuals to show their support and celebrate small businesses and all they do for their community. When you support a local business, you're also supporting your city, your town and your neighborhood. Small businesses are the engines of economic growth, job creation, and innovation.

The coolest thing about this month is realizing the impact of OUR choices on our local economy and community. It costs $0.00 to recommend a product or service from your favorite small business.

Some of the FREE ways you can do this is by:

  • Telling a family member or friend about a small business you love
  • Writing a positive online review
  • Engaging in local businesses' social media pages
  • Giving a shoutout or posting a picture of your favorite small business

Overall, Small Business Month celebrates the resilience, hard work, and innovation of small business owners while promoting their vital role in driving economic growth and creating vibrant communities. We are proud to be a small locally and family-owned business for 80 years. Happy Small Business Month to ALL small businesses!

Lots of people sitting at tables eating

Carfax Top-Rated Dealer

We are proud to achieve the status of a Carfax Top-Rated Dealer for 2022. That's three years in a row! Our team at Wendle was awarded the Golden CAR FOX, recognition for the best of the best for exceptional service and customer care. Our team works hard to provide each guest with a positive experience. Thank you for all of your support!

April 2023

Automotive Trades Night

The Northeast Washington Educational Service District 101 with the East Valley School District hosted the Automotive Trades Night at Spokane Community College (SCC).

We had the opportunity to show attendees what a career in the automotive industry can look like including pay, demand, career growth, training, hours, job satisfaction, transferable skills and much more.

At our booth, we had technicians show attendees how they diagnosis vehicles. One of our activities utilized our “See What I See” headset diagnostic tool - providing virtual training of sorts to show attendees just one of the ways our technicians can diagnose and repair vehicles.

Thank you to everyone that stopped by to say hello and a HUGE thank you to our teammates who showed up to inspire our community to consider a career in the trades.

Group of people standing behind display tables
Group of men standing in front of truck
Group of men standing by truck

March 2023

Best of the Inland Northwest

WooHoo!! We won the Inlander's Best Of the Inland Northwest 2023 for New Car Dealership!  Thank you to all of our awesome customers for voting us number 1. It warms our hearts that our community cheered for us and consider our dealership the best. We appreciate our hardworking Wendle team for providing outstanding customer service to get us there.

February 2023

Dealer of the Year

Our finance team earned the Dealer of the Year award from the Alaska USA Federal Credit Union. The honor is given based on attention to detail when submitting finance information as well as having a high approval rating by the credit union. Congrats to our awesome finance group!

The Alaska USA FCU is a member-owned financial service cooperative committed to delivering products and services that support financial wellbeing. Alaska USA builds upon the strength of members, bringing its not-for-profit, financial service cooperative model to families and businesses across Alaska, Arizona, California and Washington.

Group of people standing in front of truck holding award

January 2023

CPR Training

Some of our team took part in CPR training at our dealership. Employees learned lifesaving techniques and gained confidence to act in case of an emergency.

There are various programs that offer CPR training. The American Red Cross recommends CPR training to learn the skills to help save a life. It only takes a few hours to prepare yourself and make a difference for someone in need. The American Red Cross in Spokane offers training courses for CPR and AED, first aid, basic life support, babysitting, caregiving, lifeguarding water safety and more. You can train as an individual or as a group. Find a course that is right for you and other ways you can help at the American Red Cross.

Group of people performing CPR training
Person holding doll
Person standing by table
Two people doing CPR training

Service Bunny

Ford Service Technician, Mark, found a little surprise when he was working on a vehicle...a stowaway in the engine compartment. So cute! Rest assured...the bunny is safe and is now in good hands.

Man holding a rabbit

November 2022

Veterans Drive

Veterans around the country have done so much for us, and now it's our turn to return the favor. To help the homeless veterans in Spokane, we are collecting donations of clothing, blankets, coats and more. Please consider partnering with us to help those in need.

Three men holding jackets
Two men holding jacket and blanket

October 2022

Reggie Lamb Retirement

We celebrated the retirement of Reggie Lamb, an essential part of our Wendle family for over 33 years. We appreciate his loyalty and dedication to our team and always working to provide the best experience for his employees and our customers.

Man holding a certificate
Group of people standing in garage

September 2022

Sacred Heart Children's Hospital Fundraiser

We proudly supported Spokane Chapter of Credit Unions with their annual golf tournament benefiting the Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. We were the Hole-In-One sponsor and had a winner! Congratulations, Drew!

If you missed the tournament but would like to help, reach out to Sacred Heart where you can make a donation or volunteer with your time. Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital takes a team approach when caring for your child. Their team of doctors and nurses are there to guide your entire family, letting you know that you are not alone and want the best for your child.

Group of people holding a large check

Movie Nights with Ford

Ford is bringing our communities together with their Movie Nights with Ford. Get ready for a #SummerSupercharged at our movie night with a large outdoor screen and speakers so you can sit outside and enjoy the show.  Or you can listen inside your car through your FM radio.  Bring the family, a blanket and come join the fun!

The Taste of Insanity food truck will be on the lot and so will the Surge Coffee truck! Enjoy some crazy good food and some yummy drinks to keep you warm.

Movie: Back to the Future (1985)
Date: Friday, September 23rd
Time: 7:30pm
Movie rating: PG
Movie length: 116 minutes
Location: Wendle Ford, 9000 N Division St, Spokane WA
Cost: It’s FREE!
Register:  Please let us know you are attending at surveymonkey.com/r/WendleDriveIn    

About the movie:
“An eccentric scientist builds a time machine, which accidentally transports a high-school student back to the 1950s, where the teen inadvertently interferes with the budding romance between his future parents. The boy must figure out how to set things right, or risk completely altering the future.”  Swank Motion Pictures, Inc.
Car on fire with a man

2022 Northwest Ranchero Show

We hosted the 2022 Northwest Ranchero show with the Ranchero Enthusiasts International, September 14th. The show included 26 impressive vehicles and lots of awesome enthusiasts. 

Thanks for a fantastic event!

Group of cars parked on pavementPhoto courtesy of Ranchero Enthusiasts International
Red and white car with hood open
Pink car
Black car with hood open
Blue car with hood open
Inside of red car
Yellow car
Black car with hood open

August 2022

1-161 Infantry Highlander Ball

We recently partnered with the 1-161 Infantry Regiment, contributing to their Highlander Ball event. We were proud to support the battalion as they celebrated heritage, camaraderie, and recognition of their soldiers.

For more information about the 1-161 Infantry Regiment, visit their Facebook page.

1-161 Infantry Regiment

Fairwinds

We enjoyed our visit with friends from Fairwinds. They toured the vehicles on our showroom floor, viewing the old and the new. They shared stories with us, including the vehicles they have purchased from Wendle over the years.

Tools2Schools

We are helping the students in our area by collecting donations during the KREM Cares Tools2Schools campaign, benefiting the Communities in Schools of Spokane County.  

Please feel free to drop off donations at our dealership August 1-14, 2022.  Check out the list below for some of the items needed.  You can find a complete list here.  If you prefer, you can make a donation online that will be used to purchase supplies in bulk.  There are also volunteer opportunities available on 08/17/22 to stuff the backpacks.
Backpacks
Pencils & Pens
Highlighters
Rulers
Notebooks & Composition Books
Folders
Loose Leaf Hole-Punched Lined Paper
Glue sticks
Calculators
Markers/Colored Pencils/Crayons


An announcement to donate to the Tools2School program with a backpack, pencil and ruler

July 2022

Happy Birthday Dick Wendle!

Our staff shared their thoughts and memories-kind, optimistic, family-oriented, kind-hearted, gracious, and friendly. Legendary since 1941.

June 2022

Father's Day Auto Show

We were joined with The Gents Auto Club and about 100 classic, cars, hot rods and more for our Father's Day Show and Shine auto Show. The cloudy weather did not dampen the crowd as many walked the dealership with oohs and aahs all around.

All proceeds from the event were donated to the Sacred Heart Children's Hospital.

April 2022

WSADA Bright Future Scholarship

There are several scholarship opportunities for high school students available through the Washington State Auto Dealers Association. You can get a scholarship for automotive technology programs and for working for a WSADA-member dealership.

Get all the details on the WSADA website.  Submission deadline is April 29, 2022.

The word scholarship with a blue background with white leaves all over.

December 2021

Spokane County United Way

For the upcoming 2022 year, our team has committed to raising $18,481 for our local Spokane County United Way. The United Way's focus is on education, health and financial stability.  We celebrated together with a yummy meal from Outlaw BBQ.

If you would like to learn more about what they do, find everything you need to know on their website.

A man wearing glasses sitting at a desk eating from a plate of food.
A man sitting at a table with a plate of food.
A man sitting at a table holding a plate of food with a big smile on his face.

December 2019

Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County

We had the immense pleasure of hosting some teens of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County. With the generous help of the Ford Focus on Child Hunger program, we had the opportunity to donate to help fight child hunger in our area.

Boys & Girls Club donation

November 2019

Airbag Action Day

We participated in the Ford Airbag Action Day, replacing recalled airbags for a day. Our customers enjoyed fun and refreshments while they waited.

Ford Airbag Action Day flyer
Ford Airbag Action Day-staff replacing airbag
Ford Action Airbag Day-staff replacing airbag
Ford Airbag Action Day-staff replacing airbag

Free Car Seat Inspection

The safety of our children while traveling in a vehicle is essential. Is the car seat your child uses installed correctly? Is it the proper size? Has it been recalled? These questions and more can be answered by the certified safety technician who will be at Wendle Nissan to check your seats for free.

Stop by on Saturday, November 16th from 10:00am-1:00pm for a free inspection.  Wendle Nissan located at 8900 N Division Street, Wendle at the Y. The testing will be in the Nissan Service department.

Whether you are driving a car, SUV or truck, you will learn the proper techniques to install your child's car seat correctly.

Free car seat inspection at Wendle Nissan on November 16, 2019.

September 2019

We invite you to join our community in raising money Air Force Junior ROTC and band programs of Rogers High School at the Drive 4 UR School event. It will be held on Thursday, September 26, 9:00am-7:00pm, at the Walgreens, 2105 E Wellesley, Spokane. For each test drive, Ford Motor Company will donate $20 (up to $6,000) to their programs. By taking a simple, free test drive, you can support the kids and the school. #Drive4URSchool

June 2019

Join us and the Gents Auto Club for our Father's Day Show and Shine Auto Show. Bring your awesome cars with you to show off on Sunday, June 16th from 10:00am-3:00pm. Happy Father's Day!

April 2019

We invite you to join our community in raising money for the cheerleading and boys and girls track programs of North Central High School at the Drive 4 UR School event. It will be held on Thursday, April 25, 9:00am-6:00pm, at the Bethlehem Slavic Church, 302 W. Augusta, Spokane. For each test drive, Ford Motor Company will donate $20 (up to $6,000) to their programs. Take a 2nd drive in a 2019 Ford Edge and earn an additional $10 per drive (up to $2,000). By taking a simple, free test drive, you can support the kids and the school. #Drive4URSchool

To save time, pre-register for your drive.

February 2019

We are proud to support the Mt. Spokane High School Wrestling program. They currently are the 2019 GSL champs and are ranked #1 in the State!  Good luck on your postseason travels on the road to the state tournament!

Mt. Spokane High School Wrestling Team

Request a donation

Wendle Motors has been in business since 1943. It is because of our customers and our community that we continue to succeed. We are committed to our community and strive to help organizations with our support.

Part of our charitable guidelines include basing our decision on financial information provided by the Washington Secretary of State.   We aim to assist organizations who have at least 70% of their expenses devoted to program services.  Our goal is to ensure that our donation is being used as effectively as possible and is making the greatest impact within our community.

Submit a donation request from any of the following options.  Expect approximately a three-month review time; therefore,  requests should be submitted approximately 90 days prior to when a response is needed.

Complete an easy online survey: Wendle Donation Request Survey

OR

Submit the following information on the non-profit organization's letterhead and email or mail:

  • Organization full name, address, email address and phone number
  • Federal Tax ID Number or UBI Number
  • Organization's Mission
  • How will our local community benefit from the funds?
  • Does the organization, or anyone associated with the organization, do business with or is employed by Wendle Motors?
  • What is the purpose of the funds requested?
  • Requesting Individual's Information-name, email address and phone number
  • Type of request-sponsorship, auction/raffle item, program support, event support or other (please specify)
  • If the request for a donation or sponsorship is approved, will you provide recognition or advertising?  If yes, please list the type of recognition that will be offered and where it can be found. (Link on website, social media posts, etc.)
  • Name of Event
  • Date and time of event
  • Is the organization registered with the Secretary of State Charities Division?  If so, what is the percentage of the funds that are spent on the organization’s charitable purpose?  If it is under 70%, please provide details. (We use sos.wa.gov/charities/ as a resource)
  • Date donation is required by

Submit requests by email to: debbieg@wendle.com

Submit requests by mail to:
Wendle Motors
Donation Request
P O Box 18898
Spokane WA 99228