The 2025 Subaru Love Promise Community Commitment Award

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 retailers 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.

What is the Subaru Love Promise®?

The Subaru Love Promise® is our vision to show love and respect to all people at every interaction with Subaru. Subaru and our retailers believe every day gives us an opportunity to positively impact the world around us - by how we support each other, our customers, and our community. Together, we are committed to making the world a better place.

The Love Promise is what makes Subaru More Than a Car Company® and a Subaru retailer More Than a Car Dealer®. It sets a standard that we are committed to living every day.

What is the Subaru Love Promise Community Commitment?

At Tonkin Subaru, we believe in being a positive force in our commuity, not just with donations, but with actions that set an example for others to follow. We aim to make the world a better place through several key initatives that help support and protect people, pets, and our planet.

Subaru loves to help

Subaru and its retailers partner with Operation Warm® to visit local homeless shelters and support agencies to provide children with brand-new necessities like coats, shoes, and socks.

Subaru loves the Earth

At Subaru, we believe what we leave behind is a reflection of who we are.

Subaru loves to care

Subaru believes we should all have a chance to lead a healthy life.

Subaru loves learning

Subaru and its retailers, like us, are continuing our support of education and high-needs schools in our communities through Subaru Loves Learning(R) by providing teachers across the country with funding to purchase the school supplies and resources they know are needed to help students thrive in the classroom.

Subaru loves pets

Subaru believes all pets deserve a loving home.

Share the Love

Subaru and its retailers believe in giving back to our communities.

The 2025 Subaru Love Promise Community Commitment Award
The Subaru Love Promise
Did Tonkin Subaru go above and beyond, provide exceptional service, or support causes that are important to you? We'd love to hear about it.
Love Promise Poster
Did Tonkin Subaru go above and beyond, provide exceptional service, or support causes that are important to you? We'd love to hear about it.

Love Promise Stories from Tonkin Subaru

Subaru and Tonkin 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.

Subaru of The Dalles Makes an Impact on Gorge Youth - Eve E.

Imagine going without a coat, shoes, or even socks. For many children and adults around the Columbia River Gorge, this is the reality. This winter, Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru partnered with Operation Warm®, a national nonprofit focused on connecting children with the resources they need to thrive. On January 12th, 2026, Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru donated 132 Coats to The Next Door, Inc. (TNDI). The largest social service agency in the Mid-Columbia Gorge region, The Next Door serves over 10,000 youth and individuals across 7 counties in South Central Washington and North Central Oregon. These essential items not only help keep Gorge children protected, warm, and dry, but they have a significant impact on a child's mental and emotional well-being. In fact, right after Tonkin of The Gorge Subaru left their donation at one of three of TNDI's offices, staff worked to get out a dozen coats to middle school and high school youth at TNDI's youth drop-in center and alternative day treatment program. In addition, we're thrilled to pass out these coats to our staff to distribute to youth they work with at local schools, our therapeutic offices, and for when they conduct 'at home' visits around the region. At The Next Door, we are so grateful for this gift that will help so many in our community!

The Next Door

Love Unleashed in the Gorge - Emma R.

At Columbia Gorge Humane Society, our mission is simple but powerful: to rescue, heal, and rehome animals in need—one wagging tail and contented purr at a time. Thanks to community partners like Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru, we’re able to do even more good. This October, as part of Subaru Loves Pets Month, Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru selected us as their hometown charity partner and helped us secure an ASPCA grant that directly supports our rescue efforts. Together, we hosted a joyful pet adoption event, connecting local families with their new best friends. Every adoption represents a fresh start—proof that compassion drives change. With the continued partnership of Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru, we’re reminded that when a community comes together, love truly finds its way home.

Columbia Gorge Humane Society

Harvesting Health and Happiness in the Gorge - Audrey S.

Here at The Dalles Farmers Market, our mission is to promote access to local foods and crafts that enhance the health and happiness of our community. During the market season, the Columbia River Gorge comes alive—fruits, vegetables, and artisan breads piled high, coolers full of meats and cheeses, makers and growers greeting friends old and new. This season, Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru’s sponsorship helped us keep that beauty and bounty thriving, connecting families with fresh, local food and the people who grow it. Thank you for investing in a healthier, more connected Gorge. Farmers markets don’t just feed people—they feed local economies. Studies find powerful “multiplier” effects: every dollar spent at a farmers market can generate as much as $2.80 in community economic activity, and for every $1 of income earned by a farmer at market, other local businesses see about $0.48 in additional income. Support like that from Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru helps us unlock these community gains while celebrating the flavors—and the people—of the Gorge.

The Dalles Farmers Market

Cruising Through Cherry Festival! - Lisa F.

The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce is honored to host the Northwest Cherry Festival each year—our signature event and one of the oldest and most cherished traditions in the Gorge. What began more than 80 years ago as a small, hometown celebration has grown into a multi-day festival that draws thousands of visitors downtown, showcasing our thriving cherry industry and the unique spirit of our community. This event is a labor of love for the Chamber, and it takes months of planning and the dedication of countless volunteers to bring it to life. We are grateful for the support of community-minded partners like Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru, who has stepped up for the second year in a row as our Title Sponsor. Their generosity, combined with the enthusiastic participation of local businesses and residents, makes it possible to keep this historic celebration alive and thriving. Together, we continue to create lasting memories and ensure the Northwest Cherry Festival remains a cornerstone of community pride for generations to come.

The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce

Driving Support for Healthy Aging in Our Community - Rob G.

At the Mid-Columbia Senior Center, we’re proud to be more than just a building — we’re a community where friendships are made, laughter is shared, and people of all ages come together. From daily lunches and fitness classes to game nights, educational workshops, and lively dances throughout the year, we strive to offer opportunities that keep older adults active, social, and engaged. Thanks to the support of Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru — through their annual sponsorship and by helping us host events like our Spring Fling dance — we’re able to continue creating spaces where our members feel connected and valued. Their partnership helps us carry out our mission of enriching lives and strengthening the bonds that make our Gorge community so special.

Mid-Columbia Senior Center

Gorge Soccer Academy: Growing the Game, Together - Matt D.

Gorge Soccer Academy was founded in 2016 with a mission to make quality soccer programs accessible and affordable for Columbia Gorge families. What began as a small winter skills program and an indoor league of just 14 teams has grown into a thriving year-round organization—offering leagues, camps, and skills academies for players of all ages. Today, the Academy’s fall league includes 74 teams, and both the winter and spring competitive leagues reach capacity at 60 teams each. Thanks to the generosity of local sponsors like Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru, Gorge Soccer Academy is able to make participation completely free for at least half of the teams in its winter and spring leagues. Support from community partners also helps keep fall league fees low, ensuring that more than 600 young athletes can experience the joy of playing soccer right here in the Gorge. The impact extends far beyond the field. Through its programs, Gorge Soccer has helped local players attend college ID camps, supported families with travel expenses, and provided thousands of dollars in Nike gear to those in need. The growth of soccer in the Gorge has been inspiring—not only fueling new competitive club teams, but also strengthening local high school programs and uniting our community through the love of the game. Gorge Soccer Academy extends heartfelt thanks to Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru and all community partners, parents, and volunteers who make this growth possible. Together, we’re building more than athletes—we’re building confidence, teamwork, and community pride across the Gorge.

Gorge Soccer

Building a Healthier Future for the Gorge - Amanda E.

At the Adventist Health Columbia Gorge Foundation, our mission is to support our local hospital as together, we work to provide access to quality healthcare in the Gorge. Through scholarships for nursing students, programs that assist cancer patients, and investments in local health initiatives, we work to ensure that our community has access to the care and resources it deserves. This year, we were honored to be chosen by Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru as their local beneficiary for Subaru’s Share the Love Event. The donation we received will help strengthen programs that make a difference in the lives of our neighbors during times of need. Partnerships like this demonstrate the power of community support. When local businesses and caring individuals come together, it allows us to continue expanding vital services, uplifting patients, and investing in the future of health in the Gorge. We are grateful for Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru and the many community members whose generosity makes our work possible.

Adventist Health Columbia Gorge Foundation

Tonkin of the Gorge Delivers Hope - Tovi E.

On June 23rd, Tonkin of the Gorge partnered with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and Adventist Health Columbia Gorge through the Subaru Loves to Care initiative. This partnership involved delivering blankets, patient care kits, and messages of hope to cancer patients. Through Tonkin of the Gorge’s participation in these programs, it shows they care. Tonkin of the Gorge consistently shows up and shows out for their community, and that impact was felt on the delivery day. Adventist Health Columbia Gorge was a joy to work with, and we were so happy they were the recipients of Tonkin of the Gorge’s donation. We are so grateful to work and live in a community that takes care of one another. Thank you, Tonkin of the Gorge and thank you Adventist Health Columbia Gorge for being firm in your mission to help others.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Branching Out for a Brighter Holiday: Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru Sparkles at Festival of Trees! - Amanda E.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru for their generous donation of a dazzling holiday tree to the 2024 Festival of Trees Gala! This cherished annual tradition in The Dalles transforms the season with glittering displays of holiday splendor, as individuals, families, groups, and businesses come together to create twinkling masterpieces for auction. The Gala, a highlight of the festive calendar, benefits the Adventist Health Columbia Gorge Foundation, combining the joy of giving with the magic of a luxurious winter wonderland. Thank you, Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru, for being a part of this sparkling celebration of community and generosity!

Adventist Health Columbia Gorge Foundation

Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru “Hooked” Us Up! ???? - Blossom L.

The Drain Raider Pro Team Series would like to extend a huge thank you to Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru for letting us “drop anchor” on your lot this season. Your generosity gave us the perfect spot to park our trucks, trailers, and boats as we reeled in another exciting year of competition. The stunning scenery of the Gorge—and let’s be honest, that legendary wind—made every cast feel like a fresh challenge, and we couldn’t ask for a better home base. Thanks for helping us “catch” some unforgettable memories!

Drain Raider Pro Team Series

Driving Health and Hope in the Columbia Gorge - Amanda E.

On behalf of the Adventist Health Columbia Gorge Foundation, we extend our deepest appreciation to Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru for your incredible support and commitment to our mission of ensuring access to high-quality healthcare in the Columbia River Gorge. We are honored to be selected as beneficiaries of Subaru Loves to Care month, an opportunity that allows us to donate vital funds to support nursing students, cancer patients, and community members in need. Since our foundation’s inception in 1983, we have strived to be a beacon of support for our hospital and neighbors. Your partnership exemplifies the power of community collaboration, inspiring us to work together toward a stronger, healthier future for everyone in our region. Thank you for standing with us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve!

Adventist Health Columbia Gorge Foundation

Planting Seeds of Community: Thank You, Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru! - Eileen W.

On behalf of The Dalles Farmers Market, we'd like to thank Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru for sponsoring the 2024 season at the Golden Wheat Harvest level. As a non-profit organization, we are dedicated to offering the freshest and most diverse selection of local produce, artisanal products, and handmade crafts, creating a vibrant community hub where growers, producers, and consumers unite to celebrate the abundance of our region. Farmers markets like ours keep 67% of every dollar spent within the community, directly supporting local farmers, artisans, and small businesses while fostering economic growth and sustainability. Your generous support helps us continue to provide this valuable service, and we are truly grateful to partner with an organization so committed to enriching our community. Thank you for being an integral part of our mission!

The Dalles Farmers Market

Grateful for Your Support of Education - Ajay R.

Thank you, Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru, for selecting Chenowith Elementary as a recipient for Subaru Loves Learning. Your generous contributions have made a meaningful impact by helping to support the classroom needs of our dedicated teachers, helping to ensure they have the resources to inspire and educate our students. Partnerships like these are a great example of what we can achieve when we come together to support education. We are truly grateful for your commitment to our school and our future leaders.

Chenowith Elementary School

Connecting Students, Teachers, and Families at the TDMS Carnival - Erica C.

The Dalles Middle School extends our sincere thanks to Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru for helping to sponsor our 2024 Family Carnival. This annual event is a highlight for TDMS students and their families, offering a fun, free, and welcoming opportunity for parents to connect with their children's teachers, friends, and community resources. With bilingual support throughout, we ensure this event is accessible to all families. Your generosity helps make this event a special and meaningful tradition for our school community.

The Dalles Middle School

PAW-sitively Grateful for Your Support! - Suny S.

On behalf of the Columbia Gorge Humane Society, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru for selecting us as the beneficiaries of the 2024 Subaru Loves Pets month. As a non-profit organization dedicated to providing safe, loving, and humane care for homeless and unwanted dogs and cats, your support fuels our mission to find permanent homes for every animal in need and promote respect and kindness toward animals within our community. With initiatives like education, spay and neuter voucher programs, and community outreach, we strive to build a culture where all pets are valued and given a second chance at life. Your partnership not only helps save lives but also strengthens the bond between people and animals in our community. Thank you for driving change and making a meaningful difference!

Columbia Gorge Humane Society

Thank you, Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru, for inspiring young minds! - Ajay R.

Chenowith Elementary School would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru for sponsoring our Family STEM Night. Your generous support allowed us to engage students and their families in the exciting worlds of science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on activities and family-friendly games that you provided. Events like these spark curiosity and foster a love of learning, and they wouldn’t be possible without the involvement of dedicated community partners like you. Together, we are strengthening our community by lifting up our kids, inspiring their futures, and building a brighter tomorrow. Thank you for being a champion of education and family engagement!

Chenowith Elementary School

Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru Makes It a Cherry Good Time! - Lisa F.

The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce would like to extend our sincere thanks to Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru for being the first-ever title sponsor of the 2024 Northwest Cherry Festival! This beloved annual event, a local tradition since 1941, celebrates the beauty, community, and delicious bounty of the Gorge. Over the course of three days, this festival now brings approximately 15,000 people to our downtown, showcasing how it has grown from a ¾-day event on a two-block street closure to a full three-day celebration that utilizes our entire downtown. Families and friends gather to enjoy the fun, and we’re all ‘cherry’ excited to see this tradition thrive with your incredible support. We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful area, surrounded by stunning landscapes and a community that cherishes its history and spirit. Thank you, Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru, for helping make this year’s Cherry Festival sweeter than ever!

The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce

2023 Festival of Trees - Amanda E.

Mid-Columbia Health Foundation supports the Celilo Cancer Center, nursing students, community health, and hospital technology needs in our community. The Festival of Trees is our annual fundraiser, in which decorated trees are donated, then auctioned to benefit the foundation. This year, Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru donated “Christmas Critter Campout”, which raised $1800! The tree was purchased by the Meadow Outdoor Advertising, who in turn donated it to brighten the holidays of a local foster family with eight children. Thanks for sharing the love!

Mid-Columbia Health Foundation

Subaru Loves Pets in the Gorge! - Maddie K.

Home At Last Humane Society serves a five-county area, providing a soft place to land for unwanted, stray, and injured animals. This year, Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru chose us as recipients for funds raised during Subaru Loves Pets month. They also hosted a pet adoption event at the dealership. In October, we helped 18 pets find forever homes! We use community support, like that from Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru, to help, heal, and shelter animals in need around the Gorge.

Home At Last Humane Society

Northwest Cherry Festival 2023 - Lisa F.

This year, Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru was a Sweetheart Sponsor for the 42nd annual Northwest Cherry Festival Parade. The festival is a 3-day, fun-filled, family-friendly event in beautiful downtown The Dalles, Oregon. The parade alone draws thousands of spectators, and Tonkin Subaru was out front, chauffeuring our Grand Marshall, King and Queen Bing, and Little Royals. The Cherry Festival is a proud local tradition, made possible community support and participation. Thank you, Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru!

The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce

Tonkin Gorge Subaru Team Goes the Extra Mile to Drive Change in the Cancer Community - Emma R.

The mighty Columbia Gorge river, dividing Washington and Oregon state, is home to an incredibly tight-knit community of outdoor enthusiasts. It’s also the location of Kiteboard 4 Cancer, North America’s largest amateur kiteboarding competition. Kiteboard 4 Cancer brings together the power of the wind and the power of community to raise $250K annually, benefitting young adult cancer survivors via Project Koru. Project Koru is a nonprofit organization that enriches lives through community and the outdoors as a way to move forward beyond cancer. This year, Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru returned to sponsor the event, contributing $3,000 to benefit the cause. The team set up on the lawn all weekend to engage with athletes, participants, and survivors alike, running a giveaway of outdoor gear to give back to the community. And their support helped pull together the “Big Air” competition, where athletes compete against one another to wow the crowd with the biggest jumps and smoothest tricks. This year’s weekend-long event was the most successful yet, raising $260K and welcoming over 600 people. The Tonkin team played an integral part in making the event a success, working directly with the event leadership to maximize impact while promoting the Subaru brand.

Project Koru

Tonkin Subaru supports community health! - Amanda E.

The Mid-Columbia Health Foundation was established 40 years ago to ensure access to high-quality healthcare in the Columbia River Gorge. It’s through generous donations from our community, like those from Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru, that we are able to assist patients who are fighting cancer, provide scholarships to local students, support community health efforts, and provide new technology in our hospital. Thank you, Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru!

Mid-Columbia Health Foundation

Tonkin Subaru saved the play! - Leslie S.

The Dalles Middle School Theater group puts on a play each year. The kids and staff were working hard this spring, memorizing lines, songs, and choreography for this year’s production, Moana Jr., when our usual sponsor dropped out at the last minute! These productions rely on community support, so we were at a loss! Fortunately, Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru stepped up to save the day. They covered the full sponsorship, allowing the show to go on! Thank you, Nima and staff at Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru, for putting our kids first!

The Dalles Middle School

Dizzy Meets His Match - Erin M.

Dizzy’s Cinderella story is the reason we love what we do. Transferred from another shelter after being adopted and heartbreakingly returned, Dizzy showed up as a sweet, cuddly, bull-in-a-china-shop big boy. Despite his (literally) large personality, he was overlooked again and again. For over a year, our hearts were heavy with worry, because this good boy did had some quirks that limited his options for adoption. However, with time we found that some of what we were told about Dizzy just wasn’t true. For instance, the previous shelter said he would not do well with male dogs. Dizzy proved that false the day he dug a hole under a fence and right into a play area with three male dogs. But instead of fighting, all Dizzy wanted to do was play. We were slowly starting to see that as he got comfortable and felt free of stress, he no longer felt a need to fend for himself. Nevertheless, he still was not the type someone could take to the dog park. He had a huge prey drive, so cats were out of the question. Built like a truck, this boisterous guy also lacked a certain body awareness when he played. Bowling over kids and even smaller people was a real concern. But this guy had the biggest heart, was the king of belly rubs, and had a smile a mile wide. We were not going to give up. Then, one day, the perfect person walked in our front door. A gentle, but firm soul who just clicked with Dizzy–the only dog that sat quietly near the front of his kennel to view the potential adopter. When we brought Dizzy out of his kennel for a meet-and-greet, it only took one lick to win his soon to-be owner’s heart. We tell people that dogs tend to pick you rather than the other way around. In October 2021, during our Subaru Loves Pets campaign, Dizzy finally met his match and went home.

Home at Last Humane Society

Tonkin Subaru supports Kiteboarding 4 Cancer - Joe D.

We are so thankful for Tonkin Subaru's support at Kiteboarding 4 Cancer (KB4C) this year. Without a doubt, this year was the best yet and we could not have pulled it off without Tonkin Subaru's unwavering support. This year, we raised over $194,000 and will be able to send 129 people to Camp Koru, a retreat for cancer survivors ages 18-39. This is remarkable news and we are so proud that Tonkin Subaru was a part of reaching this goal. On behalf of the entire KB4C team and myself, we cannot thank you enough for all the energy and support Tonkin Subaru has provided this year. In addition to being one of the event sponsors in July, Tonkin Subaru recently presented a check for $280 to KB4C which was raised through an additional fundraising effort by the dealership as part of - the Subaru Love Promise program. Seen in the photo are Joe Deckard of Tonkin Subaru and Tonia Farman, Founder & Director of Kiteboarding 4 Cancer. We are thrilled and honored to be a beneficiary of Tonkin's generosity. Thank you! Tonia Farman

Kiteboard 4 Cancer