MARYSVILLE — The Marysville Police Department. The Marysville Food Bank. The Strawberry Festival. Snohomish County Safe Kids. Marysville Rotary.
And the list goes on.
And on.
Last month, Roy Robinson Inc., became the Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce’s first Business of the Year.
According to a chamber press release, chamber officials selected Roy Robinson on the basis of the company’s commitment to the surrounding community.
“Roy Robinson is a leader in business in large part because of its commitment to its community” chamber leaders wrote. “Roy Robinson gives back in many ways from sponsorships to contributions.”
“Roy Robinson established the dealership over 40 years ago and built it on a foundation of community involvement,” said Robinson President Gordon Bjorg in talking about the chamber award.
“I know if he were here, he, like us, would be very humbled and honored with this recognition.”
“It was an honor, something that was totally unexpected,” Gordy Bjorg Jr., said following the special chamber ceremony.
Bjorg Jr., was able to supply a thick folder detailing many instances of the dealership’s community involvement. Naturally enough, Bjorg Jr. highlighted his father’s leadership in the Marysville Rotary. But moving away from the Rotary, Bjorg Jr., hit on several topics, including the recent Marysville Strawberry Festival.
Along with North Country Bank, Roy Robinson was a co-sponsor of the festival’s Grand Parade. Further, as it has in the past, the company provided Corvettes for use in the parade, cars which carried local dignitaries and others along the parade route.
Robinson Corvettes also made their way along the path of the annual Tulalip Tribes parade.
Moving onto another sphere, Bjorg Jr., stressed the company’s involvement with Naval Station Everett. Roy Robinson regularly provides Winnebago motor homes for use by Navy personnel when ships arrive home from deployment.
“These are used as baby changing and nursing stations for new moms,” Bjorg Jr., added.
Roy Robinson is also involved with the Marysville chamber’s Military Family Friendly Employer Initiative. Begun by chamber President Cauldie Rogers, the initiative is designed to fight perceived discriminatory hiring practices against the members of military families.
The Snohomish County Safe Kids program is another program with which Roy Robinson has been heavily involved.
According to Safe Kids President Shawneri Guzman, Roy Robinson began its affiliation with that group in 2005.
During the years since, judging from Guzman’s comments largely under the leadership of Roy Robinson’s Frank Graham, the company has held several Safe Kids events at the dealership. They also have donated raffle prizes such as a total of $1,500 worth of car detailing for the annual Safe Kids Week, not to mention Teddy bears for the kids.
In addition to Graham, Roy Robinson Service Advisor and Technician is an EMT and CPR trainer held out by Bjorg Jr., as an active contributor to the Safe Kids programs. In 2006, the dealership and Snohomish Safe Kids shared a national award for promoting children’s car safety.
In addition to his activities with the Safe Kids group, Bjorg Jr., also pointed to Graham’s involvement with Edmonds Community College, helping to conduct mock interviews and job search programs. Graham also is an advisor to the Marysville Goodwill’s job training program.
“We have enjoyed being actively involved in Marysville’s growth over the past 40 years and are even more excited about the next 40,” Gordon Bjorg said.