The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation has received $2.7 million from the auction of the final seventh generation Chevrolet Corvette at Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction at Mohegan Sun this past weekend.
The winning bid breaks the Barrett-Jackson record for an automaker-donated vehicle.
“This is going to vibrate across America,” said Frank Siller, chairman and CEO of the Stephen Siller Foundation. “This donation will build at least five homes for our catastrophically-injured veterans to give them their independence and a better quality of life.”
One of the Foundation’s major programs, its Smart Home Program, builds mortgage-free, accessible smart homes for the most catastrophically injured service members. 85 smart homes have been built or are under construction to date, and this donation will allow for construction to begin on new homes.
“It’s appropriate that the most iconic vehicle ever built in the US, has the honor of being the highest auctioned vehicle at Barrett-Jackson for a charity,” said Steve Hill, GM U.S. Vice President of Sales, Service and Marketing. “What makes me proud to be a GM employee is that fact that we’ve supported the military and veterans for over 100 years. This is a great evening, but tomorrow morning we get back to work to help more service members in need.”
For the past five years, GMC has supported the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation as its national Foundation of choice. In that time, it has helped the Foundation raise more than $10 million. That includes $2.2 million raised last year, with $925,000 of it coming from the auction of the first production 2019 Corvette ZR1. It was purchased by Chevrolet dealer and NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick at the 2018 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale sale.
GM is committed to helping those who have given so much for their country. GM’s current and retired workforce includes 60,000 veterans.