Take 5 offers free oil changes for Winder’s heroes in the wake of tragedy
A Take 5 Oil Change franchise owner worked with his team to offer free oil changes to the Winder community in the wake of tragedy.
On September 4, the small community of Winder, Georgia, between Athens and Atlanta, suffered the devastating loss of four lives at a local school.
Everyone at the Take 5 Oil Change in Winder knew someone who was connected to the event – from teachers at the school to law enforcement on the scene.
Preston Willard, the President of Toxaway Automotive Group, which has 11 Take 5 Oil Change locations including the one in Winder, thought, “we have to do something to help the community.”
After talking with his leadership team and the Take 5 employees, they realized that this event had an impact on everyone in Winder and decided to give away free oil changes for not only first responders, teachers, and hospital workers – but anyone in the community.
On September 11, more than 160 people showed up for a free oil change. Toxaway Automotive Group sent their entire leadership team to Winder to help Take 5 employees manage the line of cars and ensure fast and friendly oil changes.
This gave Preston and other company leaders the chance to connect with the people their shop serves: “It wasn’t about us. It was only about helping the community.”
Throughout the day, the team changed the oil of many teachers and first responders, but they were also able to help others in Winder.
"One woman shared with me that she had fallen on difficult financial times, and the free oil change would help her keep her car running smoothly so she could get to work,” he added. “This was all about our team in Winder and supporting the local community when they need us.”