A recent automobile auction paid off handsomely for the vehicle’s new owner, and for a local children’s shelter as well. Jim Ellis Toyota of McDonough recently auctioned off a 2020 Toyota Supra to Eric Droblyen of St. Petersburg, Fla. Droblyen won the vehicle with a bid of $60,500, and took delivery of the vehicle August 9.

  In the process, the dealership displayed its support for a local children’s shelter, said Jim Ellis Toyota General Manager, John Gliem.

  “Jim Ellis Toyota of McDonough donated an additional $5,000 to the A Friend’s House charity,” said Gliem.

  The difference amount of the bid and the MSRP was $380, which Droblyen donated to A Friend’s House.

  Jim Ellis Toyota, part of Jim Ellis Auto Group, was acquired in March of this year. Gliem said he and his team are “excited to be part of the community.”

  “We chose A Friend’s House based on it being a local charity that helps abused and abandoned children,” said Gliem. “Our vision is to support the community – like first responders, education/educators and other children’s charities.”

  A Friend’s House Community Outreach and Public Relations Strategist, Julie O’Neill, expressed her gratitude for the dealership’s generosity toward the shelter.

  “They presented A Friend’s House with a check of $5,000 after the auction of the new Toyota Supra,” said O’Neill. “It’s a beautiful car, and they are a generous, family-based dealership that we are thankful to have in our community.”

  She added that Droblyen made an additional donation of his own to the shelter.

  “Because he wanted to support A Friend’s House, he also donated an additional $500,” said O’Neill.