The 2025 Subaru Love Promise Community Commitment Award
We are honored to be nationally recognized by Subaru of America, Inc. for our dedication to our community, and the Subaru Love Promise.
The 2025 Subaru Love Promise Community Commitment Award recognizes elite Subaru retailer who provide an exceptional customer experience at every interaction with Subaru. These retailers have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to supporting passions and causes in their local communities in important areas such as environment, community, health, education, and pets.
Here at Subaru, we love our community as much as we love our vehicles and are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of all of our customers and neighbors.
What is the Subaru Love Promise?
Subaru and our retailers believe in making the world a better place and the Subaru Love Promise is our vision of respecting all people. This is our commitment to show love and respect to our customers and to work to make a positive impact in the world.
How is Charlie's Subaru dedicated locally to the Love Promise?
Our Love Promise can be seen in various partnerships with local charities and non-profits. We're grateful for the opportunity, not only to be a part of our community, but to serve it as well. We don't give to get, we give to inspire others to give.
Kennebec Valley Humane Society, Humane Society Waterville Area
Maine Audubon Society
Cony High School, Winthrop High School, Messalonskee High School, University of Maine, Gardiner High School
United Way, Augusta Rotary , Big Brothers Big Sisters, YMCA, Maine State Golf Association
Maine General Medical Ctr, American Lung Association, Maine Breast Cancer Coalition, American Heart Association, National MS Society
Love Promise Stories from Charlie's Subaru
Subaru and Charlie's Subaru believe in making a positive impact on the communities in which we live and work. We uphold that belief through our Love Promise Community Commitment. Every month, we select inspiring stories from customers and partners from around our area who strive to support our collective commitment and feature them here
“Cereal-ously” Amazing! AUGUSTA FOOD BANK CEREAL DRIVE - Sawyer B
At the Augusta Food Bank, we know that a simple bowl of cereal can be grrreat and not just for breakfast. It’s the comfort of a morning routine, the crunch that fuels focus, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing no one is starting their day hungry. That’s why we were so bowled over by the generosity of Charlie’s Subaru. This summer, they hosted a cereal drive that truly went above and beyond, collecting a cereal-sly impressive 508 boxes; that’s over $2,500 worth of breakfast goodness! Even better, the timing was spot on. While most food drives happen around the holidays, Charlie’s chose to “share the love” during a season when hunger doesn’t take a vacation. Summer can be especially tough on families. With school out, many kids lose access to daily meals. But thanks to Charlie’s Subaru, hundreds of local children and families will start their mornings with energy, smiles, and full tummies. Cereal is one of our most requested and most versatile items. It’s shelf-stable, kid-approved, and perfect for any time of day. Every donated box helps pour hope into our customer’s day, easing the strain on stretched budgets and keeping our shelves stocked during the tough summer months. We’re so grateful to Charlie’s Subaru for showing that even the smallest act, like donating a box of cereal can share the love in a big way. Thanks to their drive, thousands of bowls of cereal will now find their way to tables across our community. That’s what we call a whole grain effort worth celebrating!
Augusta Food Bank Kidspak program - Sawyer B
At the Augusta Food Bank, we know that feeding our neighbors takes more than just food, it takes community. And when it comes to community champions, Charlie's Subaru is always in the drivers seat. This spring, their team opened their doors (and hearts) for a Food and Funds Drive to support our Kidspak program, a critical effort that ensures local children and teens don't go hungry over the weekends and when school meals aren't available. Thanks to their dedication and the generosity of their staff, customers, and community, they collected nearly 1,000 pounds of food for our shelves! in 2025, we're on track to distribute 10,000 Kidspaks and every can, healthy snack, and box of juice collected by Charlie's Subaru is one less worry free parent working hard to make ends meet. Their crew didn't just collect food, they fed hope, packed it with care, and delivered it with love. From organizing donations to spreading the word, Charlie's Subaru reminded us of what it means to be a true community partner. They didn't just drive support; they steered compassion in the right directions. Because of Charlie's Subaru, our shelves were stocked. Our KidsPak bags were filled with kid-friendly, nutritious food. And our hearts.....Overflowing. Thanks you for fueling our mission, one food drive at a time. You've proven that when the community drives compassion, love is the best ingredient.
THANK YOU FROM LLS, CHARLIE’S SUBARU! - Tasha M
For the past 10 years, Subaru of America and its retailers have partnered with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) through the Subaru Loves to Care initiative. The partnership has involved delivering blankets, patient care kits, and messages of hope to cancer patients across the country. On June 2nd, Charlie’s Subaru personally delivered these items to Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care. These blankets, patient care kits, and messages of hope provide warmth and comfort to patients in treatment. The love and support shared through this cherished partnership means a lot to everyone involved! This year, Charlie’s Subaru also opted to support the LLS Urgent Need Program, which will provide blood cancer patients financial relief to help offset non-medical costs associated with treatment, such as transportation, food, housing, utilities, etc. Thank you for your commitment to supporting your community as well as the LLS mission to create a world without blood cancer and improve the quality of life for patients and their families.
It's Good to Have Family - Elissa S
Many years ago, I was looking for employment and a good friend encouraged me to come work with him at Charlie’s Subaru. I applied for a sales position and was interviewed by the owner, Charlie Shuman, himself. A few days later, April 5, 1991, I sold the first of thousands of cars I have sold out of Augusta Maine. Over time, the Shumans have grown the family business into one of Maine’s largest new car dealerships and have made Charlie’s Subaru one of the best places to work. They have been incredible benefactors in our community. There is hardly a school, hospital, humane society, or civic organization in Kennebec Valley that they have not donated to or supported in some way. In response, many customers come to our dealership because they realize what Charlie’s Subaru has done for the community. I am proud to be associated with this organization. As an employee, I have had many opportunities to help my community and my co-workers when they have gone through tough times. Earlier this year, we collected donations from all of the Charlies employees to help out a fellow coworker who’s wife passed suddenly, leaving him to raise his 3 year old daughter by himself. We also have the opportunity to payroll deduct a portion of our weekly paycheck to be donated to the United Way, which allows us to designate what cause we want it to go to. I, of course, always choose the Humane Society. This past year I became very sick and was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, and I have had to take significant time off from work. This cancer of blood has been very difficult for me and my wife, but the Shumans and Charlie’s Subaru have been there for us. Elissa, Nancy, Steve, and Charlie (family) have been incredibly supportive. They have shown great generosity, purchasing an EV charger to install at my home which I needed for my new Subaru Solterra. Before I got sick, the Shumans allowed me to charge my Solterra right at the dealership whenever I was working, which eliminated the need to have one at my residence. My fellow Charlie's co-workers (family) have shown tremendous concern and have sent me several care packages, filled with chocolates, crossword puzzles and handwritten cards which provided comfort during my 55 days at Mass Brigham hospital in Boston. It might have been longer, except I was so motivated by the nearly 100 notes and letters of encouragement from so many Charlie’s employees. Now, as an outpatient trying to get well enough to return to work, Elissa and my Charlie’s Subaru family is still helping me with a subscription to The Farmers Dog, dog food subscription, to help feed my beloved dogs, Max and Molly. I’m not sure that I can emphasize enough how grateful I am to have joined the Charlie’s Family. Love, Mark “Baggler” Eichenbaum
Charlie's Subaru Teams Up to Support Local Community - Nate R
Imagine going without a coat, shoes, or even socks. For millions of children and adults experiencing homelessness and other urgent need situations across the country, even here in Augusta, this is a harsh reality. Helping others strengthens communities, which is why Charlie's Subaru is partnering with Operation Warm®, a national nonprofit focused on connecting children with the resources they need to thrive. Through this partnership and other Subaru Loves to Help® efforts, Subaru and retailers like Charlie's Subaru have helped nearly 900,000 children and adults in urgent need. On 01/16/2025, Charlie's Subaru donated 300 coats to Bridging the Gap - Addie's Attic. These essential items not only help keep children protected, warm, and dry, it can have a significant impact on a child's mental and emotional well-being.
How $30,000 Is Changing Lives: Subaru’s Gift of Love to Kennebec Valley Humane Society - Melanie R
Sometimes, love shows up in the form of wagging tails, gentle purrs—and a generous gift that makes it all possible. This spring, thanks to the incredible support of the Subaru Share the Love campaign, Kennebec Valley Humane Society received a $30,000 donation that is already transforming lives. With Subaru’s help, we’ve been able to provide medical care, shelter, and love to countless animals who arrived at our doors in need of hope and healing. Because of this donation, senior pets with complicated medical needs have been given the time and treatment they need to recover and find new homes. Orphaned kittens rescued from harsh conditions now have a safe place to grow, play, and thrive until they’re adopted into loving families. Injured strays are no longer turned away—we’re able to say “yes” more often because of support like this. These are the quiet miracles that happen every day at KVHS, made possible by Subaru and all who believe in our mission. The Share the Love campaign is more than a name—it’s a promise to make the world a kinder place. And this gift? It’s love in action. From all of us at Kennebec Valley Humane Society—thank you. Because of you, tails are wagging, hearts are healing, and lives are being saved. 🐾💙 #ShareTheLove #SubaruLovesPets
Keeping Kids Warm - Elissa S
Charlie’s Subaru was honored to partner with Subaru of America, in support of their Operation Warm initiative, to deliver winter coats to Addies Attic for the second year in a row. Addies Attic, provides clothing and hygiene products to lower income families in the Kennebec Valley area. Maine winters can be cold and harsh and many families find it difficult to balance oil bills and keep their children warm. When walking into the center, it was noticeable that there was a lack of warm clothing in the children' s area. They were down to their last few coats, and there were far more empty white hangers than clothing hanging on the rack. With the help of Subaru, over 100 children will have clean, warm jackets to get out and enjoy the winter weather.
Charlie's Loves To Care - Mike M
Charlie's Subaru once again was able to partner up with The Harold Alfond Center For Cancer Care donating blankets and care kits to survivors, fighters and thrivers. Providing comfort and care in a time of need is what we aim for. We look forward to many more years of partnership and helping those in need.
Food For Families - Mike M
Charlie's Subaru just finished up with our third annual food drive for the Augusta Food Bank. With help from all of our loyal customers we were able to raise 1027 lbs of food to help our local community. Thank you to all for another great year!
Tails and Tunes - Mike M
The Kennebec Valley Humane Society recently held their first annual Tails and Tunes Fundraiser. Being our Home Town Charity, when Charlie's Subaru heard of the event, we immediately jumped on board. The Event ended up being so big that The Kennebec Valley Humane Society enlisted the help of several local business, utilizing their parking lots. Charlie's was able to provide shuttles to and from the event all day. Aside from Shuttles, Charlies help with the banners and signage for the event. The Tails and Tunes event was able to bring in over $30,000.00 for the Kennebec Valley Humane Society. Thank you to all involved for your support and long term commitment.
