• Visit Rydell Express Lube For A Quick & Easy Oil Change With No Appointment Necessary!

  • Learn More

Rydell in the Community

14th Annual Rydell Car & Bike Show Benefit Raises $15,000 For Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity and Cedar Valley Honor Flight

The 14th Annual Rydell Car & Bike Show Benefit was held on Sunday, July 16th at Rydell Chevrolet in Waterloo, Iowa. Over 200 vehicles were registered the day of the event resulting in an amazing turnout! The Top 40 trophies were awarded as well as 5 Best Bike awards and Best Of Show in both car and bike and Dealer’s Choice. All proceeds from vehicle registrations, t-shirt sales, and partner donations was split between Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity and Cedar Valley Honor Flight. We would like to express great thanks to our partners who provided generous donations towards our fundraising efforts. These partners include: CarGurus, Tama County Pork Producers, PDCM Insurance, DriveCentric, VGM Forbin, Shirt Shack, Strategic Marketing, BankIowa, Auto Solutions, Cars.com, Creative Planning, Veridian Credit Union, Strategic Imaging, Agency720, City Laundering, Hupp Toyota Lift, Access Systems, United Dispatch, and Signs By Tomorrow.

Representatives from Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity were at the show accepting additional donations and provided information to patrons about their wonderful organization. Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that provides food, shelter, and other essential services to people in need in the Cedar Valley. Rydell is proud to support Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity and the important work they do for our community.

Representatives from Cedar Valley Honor Flight attended the show as well to display the work they do for our Veterans in Eastern Iowa. Cedar Valley Honor Flight is a non-profit organization that flies veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the war memorials. Rydell is proud to support Cedar Valley Honor Flight and the important work they do for the Veterans in our community.

In all, $15,000 was raised for this great benefit in the Cedar Valley. It matched the most money raised at our annual event!

Community Programs at Rydell Auto in Waterloo IA

RYDELL CHEVROLET GOES TO BAT FOR WATERLOO OPTIMIST'S LEAGUE

Waterloo, April, 2018 – Rydell Chevrolet is partnering with the Waterloo Optimist's League in Waterloo. Rydell Chevrolet joined forces with the national Chevrolet Youth Baseball program to provide new equipment and an opportunity for community members to earn donations for their league via a Test Drive fundraiser. Through test drives, Rydell was able to double their 2017 contribution for a grand total of $1,000 in 2018. Rydell also presented an equipment kit with a batting cage, balls, and more to the league. During the league’s registration, employees from the dealership gave out free shirts and stickers as well as fresh popped popcorn.

“Playing the game of baseball helps kids develop skills like leadership, cooperation and sportsmanship while bringing families and communities together to show their support. Rydell Chevrolet and Chevrolet Youth Baseball are proud to participate in a sport that brings so many smiles to kids and families in Waterloo.” said Dave Brenden, Marketing Director for Rydell Chevrolet. “Chevrolet believes that in play, there are possibilities and supports the spirit of teamwork that baseball instills in its players.”

2018 marks Chevrolet’s Youth Baseball program’s 13th year, and since its introduction has helped aid local teams, benefiting more than 12.4 million young people in communities where Chevrolet’s customers live, work and play. In 2017, more than 1,500 Chevrolet dealers participated across the country. This was Rydell’s 7th year participating in the program.

Community Programs at Rydell Auto in Waterloo IA

RYDELL'S CAR SHOW BENEFIT

Annually in July

For the past 11 years, Rydell Chevrolet has hosted a car show benefit. Numerous makes and models from a variety of decades show up every year with 200+ vehicles to admire. Top 25 trophies are awarded as well as Best of Show. In 2019, Rydell with the help of their sponsors was able to donate $6,000 to Cedar Bend Humane Society and $6,000 to Northeast Iowa Food Bank. This would not have been possible without monetary donations made by Tama County Pork Producers, Chase Bank, PDCM, ADG, Mudd Advertising, BankIowa, Forbin, Cars.com, Access Systems, Phelps, Agency 720, Waterloo Auto Parts, Autotrader, Woolverton, CallSource, Sunrise Catering, and Signs By Tomorrow.

Previous years beneficiaries include, Beau's Beautiful Blessings/Place to Play Park, Retrieving Freedom, Waterloo Honor Flight and more.

The most raised for the fundraiser was in 2018 with a total of $13,100 raised for Beau's Beautiful Blessings/Place to Play Park.

Community Programs at Rydell Auto in Waterloo IA

KEYS TO PROGRESS HELPS VET IN NEED

Matt Halbur and Brad Vaughn of Rydell Cheverolet stand next to the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva that will be given to Afghanistan and Iraq veteran Brandon Hayden of Davenport as part of Progressive Insurance's "Keys to Progress" program.

November, 2016 - Rydell rebuilt a totaled 2012 Chevrolet Captiva mid-size sport-utility vehicle for Brandon Hayden, a U.S. Army Afghanistan and Iraq war veteran of Davenport. Personal circumstances recently left him temporarily homeless and without a reliable automobile. The initiative was part of a "Keys to Progress" program initiated by Progressive in 2013. It has donated 300 reconditioned vehicles to veterans and veteran families since then. When Progressive chose to help an Iowa veteran, it also offered an Iowa dealership, Rydell, the opportunity to participate in large part because of Vaughn, who manages Rydell's collision center. Vaughn's son, Travis, was killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan in 2007. Rydell was the first Iowa dealership selected for the Keys to Progress program.

In addition to regular support of Kandie Vaughn's "Shower of Gifts," Rydell put a custom-designed "fallen soldier" motorcycle on display in 2012, which was raffled off to raise funds for that effort. The dealership also has donated proceeds from an annual July classic car show to the Retrieving Freedom service dog organization in Waverly and Cedar Valley Honor Flight.

Rydell representatives will present the vehicle to Hayden Thursday at Progressive's St. Louis service center. He will be one of more than 100 veterans receiving vehicles through the initiative. Decker said Hayden also will receive about $10,000 worth of furniture and other household items donated by Progressive.

Community Programs at Rydell Auto in Waterloo IA

RYDELL DONATES JEEP TO BENEFIT VETERANS

February 2016 - A new Jeep Wrangler, donated by Rydell Chevrolet, was auctioned on Jan. 20 for $60,000 at Mecum Auction in Kissimmee, Florida with all proceeds going to Paralyzed Veterans of America, an organization dedicated to veteran service, medical research and civil rights for people with disabilities.

The custom Jeep was "upfitted" by Cutting Edge 4x4, including a 4-inch Teraflex LCG long flex-arm suspension system; Rugged Ridge aftermarket front and rear bumpers, fenders and winch; Level 8 Pro 17-inch wheels; 38-inch Falken Wild Peak M/T tires; Rigid Industries LED lighting; a 50-inch light bar; D2 A-pillar and bumper LED lights; cargo rack; and surprise straps grab handles.

Community Programs at Rydell Auto in Waterloo IA

ORGANIZATIONS THAT RYDELL SUPPORTS

  • American Cancer Society - Pink Ribbon - Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
  • American Legion
  • Beau's beautiful Blessings
  • Boy Scouts
  • Cedar Bend Humane Society
  • Cedar Valley Chamber & Alliance
  • Cedar Valley Heart Walk
  • Cedar Valley Hospice
  • Family & Children's Council
  • Golf for Hope - Bob Bowling / Pink Ribbon
  • Hartman Reserve Nature Center
  • Junior Achievement
  • Live to 9 which benefits the Cedar Valley Jaycees - Back to School Backpack Drive, Gift of Giving, Read Across America
  • Local Schools, Universities & Churches & Sports Teams, Fire & Police Departments
  • Make-A-Wish
  • Northeast Iowa Food Bank
  • Red Cross
  • Retrieving Freedom
  • Salvation Army - Toys for tots
  • Shower of gifts - Veterans Home
  • Waterloo Honor Flight
  • Waterloo Optimist Baseball / Waterloo Leisure Services
  • Waterloo Schools Foundation