SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) Mercedes-Benz of Scottsdale, as a part of the D.R.I.V.E initiative, is honored to announce One Step Beyond, Inc. (OSBI) as its fifth Valley-based nonprofit to receive a $5,000 donation this month.
As a result of the pandemic, the Scottsdale dealership re-introduced D.R.I.V.E, which stands for Donations for Recovery & Investment that are Very Essential. This initiative has already aided and will continue to aid many Valley charities by providing much-needed funds during these challenging times. 
Valley charities have faced unprecedented hardships due to the pandemic and the economic downturn has caused critical fundraising to be cancelled in the spring and the fall. Thus far, the campaign has already donated $5,000 to four other charities including Fresh Start, Arizona’s Children Association, Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank, and the Scottsdale Fire Fighters Association.
Mercedes-Benz of Scottsdale has chosen One Step Beyond, a private, non-profit organization that provides comprehensive programming and services for adults who have intellectual disabilities, to be the next recipient of their $5,000 donation in support of the ongoing programs and support they provide to the community.
“On behalf of One Step Beyond and our many participants, we thank Mercedes-Benz of Scottsdale for selecting us as their featured nonprofit,” said Jeff Swanson, executive director of Arizona Development & Communications. “This generous contribution will support our programs at our Scottsdale campus and will be designated as part of our upcoming Giving Tuesday matching grant effort, providing an additional opportunity for the community to support our organization.”
OSBI opened its newest campus in Scottsdale in early 2020, and then COVID hit. As a result, community funding has never been more important. People who have intellectual disabilities and their advocates have fought for generations against social marginalization, segregated education, inadequate healthcare, and lack of access to opportunities. The pandemic has added a new list of challenges for this already vulnerable population that thrive on routine, familiar activities, and people, such as family and friends.
Added Swanson, “COVID poses many problems for people with intellectual disabilities and their families. They may not understand why they need to wear a mask in public, or why they aren’t able to meet with or hug their friends. The pandemic is a viral threat that knows no levels and respects no social norms, yet people who have intellectual or developmental disabilities are more likely to die from COVID-19, causing an added and continual crisis for these individuals.”
The donation from Mercedes-Benz of Scottsdale comes just as One Step Beyond has kicked off its annual year-end giving campaign, Help Us Glow (HUG). The annual HUG fundraising campaign is shining a light on abilities, inclusion, and opportunity for individuals who have intellectual disabilities. The annual HUG appeal is a great way for the community to help provide much needed resources so that One Step Beyond can continue to offer consistent, high-quality programming that participants and their families rely on.
One Step Beyond will participate in Giving Tuesday on December 1, 2020 and hopes this generous donation from Mercedes-Benz of Scottsdale can be used as an example for other organizations to match.
Community support and ongoing financial donations are an important part of One Step Beyond’s success. Individuals and businesses that are interested in supporting the One Step Beyond mission can make a monetary donation by visiting the One Step Beyond website at https://osbi.org/hug/. OSBI is also a qualifying agency for the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit where a gift of up to $400 (single filers) or up to $800 (filing jointly) can reduce state tax liability by the same amount.
Mercedes-Benz of Scottsdale will announce a sixth charity in the coming weeks with a $5,000 check to follow. The dealership is appealing to all its customers, friends and families to join them in donating each month to the selected organizations.
Mercedes-Benz of Scottsdale is located 4725 N Scottsdale Rd. in Scottsdale. Visit https://www.mbscottsdale.com/ or call (480) 409-0409.