New Car Dealers of Utah Donates to Circle the Wagons

The New Car Dealers of Utah made a donation to the Utah-based nonprofit organization, Circle the Wagons. The donation was made through the New Car Dealers of Utah’s Good Wheels charitable program. Circle the Wagons provides survivors of violent crime with information and resources to help them recover from the trauma of the experience.

Circle the Wagons was founded by Vickie Walker. Walker’s husband, Jeff, was killed during the Trolley Square shooting on Feb. 12, 2007 in Salt Lake City. Walker’s son, A.J., was also shot, but survived.  Circle the Wagons Cans of Comfort and 96-Hour Survival Guides are being distributed by the Salt Lake City Police Department, Tooele Police Department, Murray Police Department and the Unified Police Department. These materials will be available to any families that have experienced a violent crime.

“The incredible support of family and friends who ‘circled the wagons’ around our family during our ordeal was critical in helping us find the courage to keep moving forward. Based on our experiences, I felt a huge need to develop something that we could provide to people who have lost loved ones through violent crime. Our Can of Comfort and 96-Hour Survival Guide contain simple guidance about how to give and receive support within the first 96 hours following the perpetration of a violent crime. We hope to extend our program nationwide in the near future. The generous donation from the New Car Dealers of Utah will play a major role in helping us to expand our program in Utah and in other areas,” Walker said.

The New Car Dealers of Utah is a statewide membership-based organization formed in 1923 to promote, protect and advance the general welfare of the new car and truck franchises throughout Utah.

New Car Dealers Executive Craig Bickmore said, “There is no other non-profit organization other than Circle the Wagons that’s providing this essential information to victims of violent crime. We’re delighted to support such a worthy organization and cause.”