Memorial Day is almost here. We are grateful for all who sacrificed.
Becoming a V3 Certified Company
Several of our employees currently serve or are veterans. These military branches include the Army National Guard, Army Reserve, active Marine Reserve, and Navy.
Earlier this year, we became a V3 Certified Company. To receive this recognition, we completed required training offered by the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program.
The Virginia Department of Veterans Services runs the initiative, which seeks to assist employers as they recruit, hire and keep veterans.
Supporting the Americans in Wartime Experience
HomeTowne Auto Repair is a supporter of local non-profits, including the Americans in Wartime Experience.
This organization aims to honor those who served and educate community members. It’s currently constructing a site in Dale City that will feature an education center and “landscapes of war” exhibits.
For several years, we have helped promote the Americans in Wartime Experience and its annual Tank Farm Open House. We produce videos and write articles that are shared through What’s Up Prince William (WUPW.news), a news site that we provide funding to.
HomeTowne Auto Repair has supported advertising on social media, as well.
Tank Farm Open House
This year’s Tank Farm Open House will be hosted on August 26 and 27. The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days.
Held at 13906 Aden Road in Nokesville, the program will feature military tanks and demonstrations. There will also be food trucks and activities for kids.
Registration and more information about the Tank Farm Open House can be found on the Americans in Wartime Experience’s website. Donations are requested but not required to participate.
Here is a video about the event:
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Michelin and BFGoodrich tire dealer located near Lake Ridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
Adults and children took to the ball fields last week.
HomeTowne Auto Repair and Tire is supporting the Dale City Little League (DCCL) this year. We are a platinum level sponsor of the Supervisor John D. Jenkins Field, which is one of the Birchdale Fields in Dale City.
The season kicked off with an Opening Day ceremony and some games on Friday evening. Some of our staff members handed out goody bags.
DCCL is a non-profit run by volunteers. It seeks to teach participants how to play baseball while also building character and encouraging teamwork.
“We appreciate the opportunity to assist local youth programs, like the Dale City Little League,” Marketing Manager Erin Jones explained. “Through these activities, kids can have fun and strengthen their skills.”
Sponsoring the little league is one way that our Woodbridge auto repair shop is giving back to the community.
HomeTowne Auto Repair also supports other Prince William County non-profits, including the Americans in Wartime Museum and The Arc of Greater Prince William. To learn more, check out this blog post we shared.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Michelin and BFGoodrich tire dealer located near Lake Ridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
In addition to working on the 50 vehicles The Arc operates, we provide the organization with free oil changes and safety and emission inspections.
“And sometimes, when a vehicle breaks down with somebody with a disability on the vehicle, they are on the spot immediately to make sure that we care for our folks, get the vehicle back and running or bring a replacement vehicle so we continue the mission that we have each and every day,” The Arc of Greater Prince William Director of Resource Development Chris Caseman said.
Through our media arm, What’s Up Prince William (WUPW.news), we are able to share The Arc’s programs and fundraisers.
“Every time we have a program that’s coming out, What’s Up Prince William will help us put a program together, help us put the promotional material together and make it happen,” Caseman added.
Our support of the Americans in Wartime Experience
The Americans in Wartime Experience seeks to honor those who served in the military and on the homefront. It is constructing an education center and landscapes of war off of Dale Boulevard in Dale City.
“That organization is a little bit unique where it actually can bring some tourism to the Dale City area, and they talk about the military in a little bit different way than some of the other museums do, where these tanks actually – they’re able to drive around,” HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire Co-Owner and WUPW.news Publisher ST Billingsley explained.
With WUPW.news, we promote the annual Tank Farm Open House and support the museum’s newsletter.
Billingsley has worked alongside Neabsco District Supervisor Victor Angry to share any news from the supervisor’s office as well as promote the Dale City Volunteer Fire Department (DCVFD) and the Americans in Wartime Museum.
“What’s Up Prince William, and ST, and everyone that’s a part of it spends a lot of time, a lot of hours putting together marketing – productive videos, spending time out on the Tank Farm, really telling the story of Americans in wartime, which is something that this community and this nation really need to never forget – the stories of the sacrifices that our veterans have endured to allow us to have the freedoms that we have here in America today,” Angry said.
How HomeTowne Auto Repair helps ACTS
ACTS is a Dumfries-based non-profit that provides various services to community members.
WUPW.news shares information about programs, news and events. It promotes the IWALK for ACTS on Facebook and through videos, including one that runs at Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center.
“ACTS’ annual IWALK would not be the same without What’s Up Prince William. Every year, they’re the media sponsor and they’re the ones who help get everybody to come out and support,” ACTS CEO Steve Liga said. “When I look around and I see blue shirts by the hundreds, I know What’s Up Prince William helped get them there.”
The news site also works on projects that focus on various topics, including the organization’s 50th anniversary. It created videos about the Prince William Food Rescue app, as well.
“That’s another way in which we’ve [been] able to partner to get our message out and to be able to communicate with the community very clearly about our program, and that’s just been fantastic,” Prince William Food Rescue Program Director Aaron Tolson.
The Arc, the Americans in Wartime Experience and ACTS are just three ways we support the community throughout the year. WUPW.news promotes other non-profits and area businesses.
“We are from here, we work here, and we support here,” Billingsley said. “Please support us.”
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Michelin and BFGoodrich tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
“That way, everyone has a chance to be covered, so it’s not actually coming out of their paycheck,” Co-Owner ST Billingsley explained.
Training is an important focus for us. We want to stay up-to-date on the latest technology, so we can better serve our customers.
Building long-lasting relationships is very important to our business. Some of our customers have been coming to us for many years now, and even their children are starting to drive and have us work on their vehicles.
“We want to do a great job, and we want people to be able to trust us and rely on us to keep their families safe on the road,” Billingsley added.
HomeTowne Auto Repair is a supporter of women entering the automotive industry. Instructors have even reached out asking us to give students a chance.
“Every woman that we’ve had come in here trying to get a foothold in this business have actually gone on to bigger parts of their career, whether they ended up going back to school or actually going to a different part of the industry,” Billingsley said.
Our support of the community is another way we stand out.
We give back by helping fund What’s Up Prince William (WUPW.news), a news site that provides free coverage and event promotion for non-profits.
Each year, WUPW.news does tens of thousands of dollars worth of video and content production for as many as 20 organizations.
“It really helps keep the community connected but also is a way for the non-profits to actually get the word [out] about all the good that they’re doing in the community,” Billingsley said.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Michelin and BFGoodrich tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
Prince William County is made up of many organizations that do good things in the community.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is a supporter of local non-profits, including the Prince William Humane Society (PWHS) and The Arc of Greater Prince William.
“We live and work in the community and want to give back to worthwhile causes,” HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire Owner ST Billingsley said.
How we support local non-profits
We offer free oil change services as well as free Virginia Safety Inspections and emissions tests to The Arc of Greater Prince William.
Last year, HomeTowne Auto Repair helped the humane society acquire its new Paw Bus and get it road worthy.
PWHS, an animal welfare organization that finds homes for adoptable pets, is using its new to transport pets to shelters, events and vet appointments.
HomeTowne shares information and flyers from K9s Serving Vets with customers, as well.
K9s Serving Vets is a non-profit that helps Veterans who are seeking a service dog.
Our support of What’s Up Prince William
We also support our community by helping fund What’s Up Prince William (WUPW), a news site that covers non-profits, community issues, and good things that people and organizations are doing in Prince William County.
In 2019, WUPW was able to do more than $66,000 of in-kind services to 20 non-profits, at no cost to the non-profits.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Michelin and BFGoodrich tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
Are you looking for a way to help the less fortunate?
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is serving as a drop off location for Toys for Tots.
The annual Toys for Tots program collects new, unwrapped gifts for children in need.
Where and when to drop off Toys for Tots donations
Toys for Tots donations can be brought to the auto shop between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is located at 15698 Jefferson Davis Highway in Woodbridge.
“We’ll start drop-offs next week and we’ll go ‘til December 14,” Service Writer Heather Skerry said.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Michelin and BFGoodrich tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
Written by ST Billingsley, Owner of HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire
I was cleaning out the crap in my office the other day when I came across a couple of items.
One of them was a picture of HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire’s ribbon cutting ceremony that was held with the Prince William Chamber of Commerce on November 1, 2014.
The other was the ribbon that was signed by those who attended.
When an event is going on like that, you don’t necessarily remember those who come out to support you, such as Bennett Whitlock from Whitlock Wealth Management.
Over the years, you get to build relationships with people who participate in the chamber.
It reminded me about what how being members of the chamber has benefited HomeTowne.
Benefits of being a Prince William Chamber member
The chamber offers networking opportunities through its various meetings, Business After Hours, and events.
This has allowed HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire to connect with other local businesses, and stay up-to-date on legislation and economic development.
HomeTowne has also been able to share its own news, such as being named “Best Tire Store” in InsideNOVA’s 2018 Best of Prince William Awards and HomeTowne’s decision to cover its employees’ health care, with other members.
Additionally, the chamber gives a voice to the business community when local officials are considering legislation that would impact it.
Over the years, due to business constraints, there have been times where I have not been very active with the chamber or very active with the chamber.
You have to figure out what works best for you, but don’t expect things to just happen if you sign up to be a chamber member. You have to participate and good things happen to those who do.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Michelin and BFGoodrich tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
Two area businesses are supporting their community.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire recently purchased a meal package at a Boys & Girls Club fundraiser. Dyvine BBQ in Motion donated the food.
“One thing that’s very important that I’m a big believer in is supporting businesses that support our community,” HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire Owner ST Billingsley said.
He encourages others to consider doing the same.
“When you see these fundraisers or you go to them, pay attention to who’s supporting those organizations and please support those businesses,” Billingsley said.
Dyvine BBQ in Motion Owner Derrick Wood brought the meal to HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire on Friday.
Wood, who also serves as the Mayor of Dumfries, contributes to Boys & Girls Club fundraisers because the organization gives children an outlet.
He appreciates businesses and individuals who purchase the packages.
“The money actually goes to get these kids off the streets to get them recreational programming and to actually help develop and stimulate them for a lasting lifetime, to build better citizens in this community,” Wood said.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Michelin and BFGoodrich tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire in Woodbridge is collecting donations for the Toys for Tots program.
Run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve, the campaign provides gifts to children who are in need.
It was founded by Major William L. Hendricks in 1947.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is accepting toys through December 14.
“We are here from Monday through Friday, 7 to 7, and Saturday, 7 through 5,” Service Advisor Jessica Ulrich said. “Come by and drop off a new, unwrapped toy for donation.”
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire was recently honored for the company’s work to support the Prince William County Salvation Army.
HomeTowne employees have actively volunteer for the non-profit over several years, providing free maintenance service for their vans and vehicles, and have participated in their Angel Tree holiday giving program and their Fill-a-Truck gift collection program.
The award was given at the annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner that’s held in Woodbridge.
“We’re very proud to receive this award. The Salvation Army here in Prince William County has done excellent work to serve those in need in our community, and we’re happy to do what we can to help them in their mission,” said HomeTowne Owner ST Billingsley.
In Prince William County, the Salvation Army provides several important services including rent and utility assistance, youth enrichment programs, and food donations that they distribute to families weekly in Lake Ridge. To learn more about the organization, visit its website.
