GM Canada Raises Over $400,000 with Charity Auction of the Last C7 and First C8 Corvette

Thanks to a couple of historically significant Corvettes, Christmas will be a lot happier this year for a lot of underprivileged children in Canada.

As reported here previously, General Motors of Canada donated the last C7 and the first C8 built for the Canadian market, and the two Corvettes were auctioned off last week for charity.

The last C7, a Torch Red Grand Sport with a white stripe, sold for $187,500, while the first C8, a Sebring Orange Stingray coupe, brought $181,000 at a live auction hosted by the Manheim Canada auction house, which donated its services.

The funds will go to the Durham Children’s Aid Foundation in honor of former GM of Canada employee Sharon Clark and the charity she started in 1968, “Sharon’s Kids.”

Some 52 years ago, Clark, a long-time member of GM’s Engineering Department, asked her fellow employees to skip the usual office gift exchange and instead make a donation to help an underprivileged family. As more and more GM Canada employees joined the effort, the program continued to grow for more than 50 years. Sadly, Clark passed away from cancer in April this year, but her kindheartedness will live on through the sale of these two significant Corvettes.

Besides the proceeds from the auction, other donations poured in, including support from Unifor, company employees and retirees, and the community at large, with the total contribution in honor of “Sharon’s Kids” reaching more than $400,000.

“Thank you to everyone who came together in the spirit of giving and congratulations to the winner who now owns a piece of Canadian history,” said Scott Bell, GM Canada president and managing director. “GM Canada and our community have supported Durham Children’s Aid for over 50 years, and I am so proud that we are honoring Sharon’s legacy to make the holidays a little brighter for children that need it most in the Durham Region.”

Leslie McLean, manager of Signature Programs, said the Durham Children’s Aid Foundation is “extremely grateful” to GM Canada for its generosity and Manheim Canada for donating the facilitation of the online auction.

She said the funds will go directly into critical programming the Foundation provides for children and youth in need, adding that “this is such a wonderful tribute to such an inspiring person, and Sharon would be elated knowing GM Canada is continuing her spirit of giving.”

McLean said additional donations to help support “Sharon’s Kids” and buy Christmas gifts for kids in need this holiday season will be welcomed by the Durham Children’s Aid Foundation and may be made at this link: Make a Donation – Durham Children’s Aid Society

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