Emmaus Board Treasurer Raichelle Kallery presents Marshall and Elena Jesperson with the Community Hero Award. Over the years, International Cars Ltd. and the Jespersens have donated more than $100,000 to Emmaus.
Emmaus Inc. Thursday honored International Cars Ltd. (ICL) and Dealer Principles Marshall and Elena Jespersen as Community Heroes.
The ceremony took place during the 13th annual “Paving the Road Home Breakfast, Transforming Lives, Building Community” breakfast in Haverhill. More than 300 community and business leaders from surrounding areas attended. Supporters of Emmaus were invited to spend the morning learning how the organization helps rebuild the lives of those who have struggled with homelessness within the community. Guests at this breakfast alone have donated more than $620,000 in over the last 12 years to assist Emmaus, including more than $100,000 from International Cars and the Jespersens.
“We couldn’t be more proud to help carry out the mission that Emmaus has dedicated themselves to for so many years,” said Marshall Jespersen of International Cars. “To be recognized as a Community Hero is a wonderful honor, but it pales in comparison to the many hours that members of the organization have sacrificed to change the life of another.”
Emmaus Executive Director Jeanine Murphy spoke about the organization’s future and its accomplishments during the last year. This included stabilizing an additional 375 at-risk families in their own housing with the help of more than 500 volunteers, 150 businesses, 190 faith communities and 1,000 donors who have contributed time, services and more than $450,000 in private gifts each year.
ICL conducts charitable initiatives at all seven of its dealerships including Audi, Porsche and Mitsubishi of Stratham, N.H.; Dover Honda and Dover Chevrolet, Dover, N.H.; and Honda North and the ICL Used Car Center, Danvers.