Community Support

A man in a grey blazer hands a set of car keys to a smiling woman wearing a "Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orillia and District" t-shirt. They are standing next to a Volkswagen SUV wrapped with the organization's branding and a large photo of a smiling child.

Community involvement has always been at the forefront of our goals here at Orillia Volkswagen. Our dealership is proudly owned by Plaza Auto Group; a family owned and community driven group whose aim has been to provide quality service with genuine kindness since 1956. Mr. Robert Stein, Owner and President of Orillia Volkswagen, has continued his grandfather’s legacy and worked to grow both the business and community around them. By offering support through sponsorships, volunteering and community outreach, Orillia Volkswagen has always cherished the growth of local support services and charities.

A large group of people poses for a photo around and inside a branded "Big Brothers Big Sisters" Volkswagen SUV. Most are wearing matching black t-shirts with the organization's logo, and the vehicle features a colorful wrap with the words "IGNITING POTENTIAL."

Amongst these services and charities is Big Brothers and Big Sisters, a non-profit organization that provides safe spaces for personal growth and mentoring to youth in need. The organization offers multiple long-term programs, all of which require volunteers. These volunteers commit to weekly activities, becoming role models for young adults and children, with the aim of enriching, uplifting and teaching these children. Whether due to financial or family struggles, these programs are absolutely critical for these children’s upbringing. The volunteers sign up for selfless endeavors that demand hours of their weeks, along with time spent for planning and transportation. The volunteers drive their personal vehicles in order to pick up the children and transport them to and from school and other designated areas. The overall commitment and time devoted by the staff and volunteers at Big Brothers and Big Sisters is immense, and their accomplishments have never gone unnoticed by the Stein family and the team at Orillia Volkswagen.

A young woman in a grey beanie and olive-green long-sleeve shirt holds a stack of papers and gestures mid-conversation while talking to two other people outdoors. Several other people in matching green shirts are visible in the soft-focus background.

This year, we wanted to contribute to this organization in a way we hadn’t before. When Dustin Stein, Robert’s son, learned that the Big Brothers and Big Sisters team and volunteers used their own vehicles to help the community, he wanted to help and give back as well. On August 1st 2024, Orillia Volkswagen gifted a brand new 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Orillia and District. “I thought it was a good way to show our thanks to them for helping out the community,” he said. On that Thursday evening, our dealership hosted a celebratory barbecue to commemorate the impact of this organization and our donation to its cause. With a brand new vehicle at their disposal, the non-profit can alleviate the struggles in more rural areas and for children who face transportation barriers. Even a single vehicle can have a significant impact on the accessibility of the youth help programs, allowing the organization and volunteers to coordinate and further expand their influence and aid in the community. “We really wanted to show a partnership, more than a sponsorship - we wanted to show the community that we’re a partner with Big Brothers and Big Sisters,” Dustin Stein added.

A view from behind a diverse crowd of people gathered outdoors in a park-like setting. Several individuals are clapping their hands, suggesting they are watching a performance or presentation.

At every opportunity, it has been made clear that our family at Plaza Auto Group and Orillia Volkswagen are undoubtedly in pursuit of a kinder world. What was first established in 1956, as a dealership whose sole purpose was providing the best customer experience, has since flourished as a family that holds genuine kindness as its guiding light in this ever-changing business world. With a constant increase in automotive groups, it is difficult to find one that focuses on the smaller details that make the difference. It is our pleasure and our hope that we can continue to support and provide for both our customers and community for years to come.

A silhouette of five people standing in a row against a vibrant sunrise or sunset, holding their joined hands high in the air in a gesture of unity and triumph.

While most family owned businesses rarely remain past 24 years and seldom thrive past a 2nd or 3rd generation, Plaza Auto Group has stood as a business for 68 years, across 4 family generations. This is an impressive feat for any family owned business. Even more impressive is the passion for growing and nourishing the community that has inarguably been passed down through these generations. Businesses’ values and beliefs often warp over time, but not ours. Here at Orillia Volkswagen, proudly owned by Plaza Auto Group, with perhaps an even stronger sense of devotion than when its first dealership opened in 1956, our family and team stand the test of time and continue to put community involvement at the forefront.