DRIVEN HEARTS: Carolyn Jackson spearheads Barrett-Jackson’s yearlong charitable initiative

January 8, 2018
Posted by Barrett-Jackson

Barrett-Jackson’s Vice President of Brand Strategy, Carolyn Jackson, is spearheading the company’s yearlong “Driven Hearts” charitable initiative.

In her role as Barrett-Jackson’s Vice President of Brand Strategy, Carolyn Jackson oversees the company’s image, working diligently to elevate not only the Barrett-Jackson brand, but also the entire guest experience at the unique automotive lifestyle events.

Carolyn has also assumed another role that is extremely close to her heart – in more ways than one. She was born into a family who placed a high value in giving back and working to better their communities. “My parents always drilled into me that it’s not enough to do well, you have to do good,” she says.

Through Barrett-Jackson and the Jackson Family Foundation, Carolyn says it’s been a privilege to continue working with charities like TGen and Childhelp, which were so important to Craig Jackson’s late mother, Nellie Jackson. Often this help manifests itself through the auction of cars to benefit these and other deserving causes. “Our charity cars sales are hands-down my favorite part of each auction,” Carolyn says. “To watch the automotive community come together and see the impact it has on lives is the most fulfilling part of what we do. It’s so profoundly rewarding to be able to participate in so many very special moments that take place on our auction block.”

In 2018, Barrett-Jackson will launch a yearlong corporate initiative called “Driven Hearts” to raise funds and much-needed awareness for the American Heart Association. “We’ve lost a number of beloved members of the collector car community to heart issues,” says Barrett-Jackson CEO Craig Jackson. “We still feel the loss of Greg Mauzy, and we just recently lost Dave Ressler. Both of these men exemplified the philanthropic spirit of car collectors and contributed much to Barrett-Jackson’s charitable efforts on the auction block.”

Kicking off the Driven Hearts campaign is this 1988 Chevrolet Corvette 35th Anniversary Edition (Lot #3008), which will benefit the American Heart Association. Another part of the initiative is the sale of new Barrett-Jackson #DrivenHearts license plates.

Driven Hearts will take many forms at Barrett-Jackson events throughout 2018. At the 2018 Scottsdale Auction in January, this will most notably be the auction of a very special 1988 Chevrolet 35th Anniversary Edition Corvette (Lot #3008) to benefit the American Heart Association (AHA). The car was once gifted on the auction block to Craig and Nellie Jackson by the late Dave Ressler, a noted Corvette enthusiast and longtime member of the extended Barrett-Jackson family. The sale will not only honor the memory of Ressler, but will go towards a cause that can save others’ lives. “It’s important to remember that the cars that are auctioned for charity often have a lifespan well beyond the auction block,” notes Carolyn.

One aspect of the Driven Hearts initiative is Barrett-Jackson’s partnership with Hotels for Hope, which enables fans traveling to Barrett-Jackson events to book rooms through Barrett-Jackson.com, with a portion of every actualized hotel room night booked going to the AHA.

Another exciting element of Driven Hearts is a special Barrett-Jackson license plate, allowing Arizona drivers to not only display their passion for collector cars on their vehicles, but to know they’re helping promote awareness of heart attack and stroke. A portion of each plate fee will go to Barrett-Jackson Charities, earmarked for the AHA throughout 2018. Representatives from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will be on-site during the Scottsdale Auction in January so guests can purchase plates on the spot.

Barrett-Jackson drivers will now be sporting the “Driven Hearts” logo on their shirts, and auction attendees will notice the acronym “FAST” (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911) around the Barrett-Jackson event sites, as a way of bringing attention to the warning signs of stroke.

“We’re excited to embark on our Driven Hearts campaign,” says Carolyn, “and we hope others will come along for this important ride.”