Even before Wanda Cronic Howell became the owner and dealer at the Cronic Automotive Group, her father who founded the business established a legacy of giving back. Today, the three Cronic dealerships – Cronic Chevrolet Buick GMC, Cronic Nissan, and Cronic Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM – donate more than $50,000 each year to non-profits and schools. One of Wanda’s biggest commitments is to the Salvation Army. Like her father before her, she serves on the board of the local Corps. “In addition to contributing money, we provide them with a vehicle for the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas to expedite everything they do,” she said. “Some of the dealership employees volunteer as bell ringers during the kettle campaign.”
Wanda was a student at Sweet Briar College when she served Cokes at the first dealership’s grand opening. After graduation, she earned a Master’s degree in Business Education from the University of South Carolina and taught business at the college level. She joined the family business in 1985 and became a dealer when she and her father bought a second dealership. She took over all the dealerships at the death of her father in 2003. “I am very blessed to have worked with my Dad,” she said. “He was an incredible business leader and my mentor.”
Because of her background as a teacher, education is another major area of giving for her. She has chaired the Scholarship Committee of the local American Business Women’s Association for three-decade, which provides tuition assistance for women. The Cronic dealerships support local schools, often with test drive programs through the manufacturers. At Christmas, the three Cronic dealerships are one of the biggest donors for the Toys for Tots campaign. The Cronic team also provides gifts for needy families through the local Department of Family and Children’s Services office.
Wanda serves on the Spalding County Development Authority, the board of directors for the Georgia Automobile Dealers Association, and is active with many community organizations. She said her philosophy can be summed up by Luke 12:48 – “To whom much has been given, much will be required. You get back what you give,” she said. “My purpose is to have a positive influence on the world around me: When we work together, great things can be achieved.”
Because of her commitment to providing opportunities for women, Wanda has focused her philanthropy on business women’s groups, like the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) and the Business Women of Fayette and Coweta (BWFC). She has been one of the biggest sponsors of the annual O Christmas Tea which raises funds to benefit five charities that help women and children – three in the local area and two in Africa. They are:
--- Pathway Home for Women, which helps young women to escape chemical dependency;
--- TEAM Alliance, which supports a school for impoverished children in Kenya;
--- Three Sparrow’s Village, which is building an inclusive home for adults with developmental disabilities;
--- Southside Support which networks and supports special needs families; and,
--- Wo Ye Bra, which creates sewing micro-enterprises for women in Africa.
This year’s O Christmas Tea has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. Even though Cronic is a Diamond Level sponsor for the Spring Swing event that the BWFC has rescheduled for March 24, 2022. Wanda wanted to find a way to support the sponsored non-profits now who depend on the money raised by the event. Thus, the idea for Driving Is Caring was born. She is hosting a sponsored test drive at all three Cronic dealerships in Griffin during the months of November and December. People interested in supporting these causes can come to any of the three Cronic dealerships and request a test drive to benefit these causes. Cronic will donate $50 to the BWFC for each test drive of a new or pre-owned vehicle. To schedule a test drive, call Wanda at 770/715-9867 or contact her at whowell@croniccars.com.
“There is no requirement that anyone purchase a vehicle from us during the Driving Is Caring promotion,” Wanda said. “But, it wouldn’t hurt my feelings if you found your next dream car with us.”
