CHATTANOOGA, TENN. (June 27, 2016) – For the second consecutive summer, two iconic Chattanooga-based organizations are partnering in a fundraising initiative aimed at improving the quality of life for area children in need. From July 1-September 30, the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer and the Mtn. View Auto Group will partner for the “Hatch’s Hero Campaign with all money raised to fund AHF services for children and their families engaged in a battle against pediatric cancer.
Five Mountain View Auto Group dealerships are involved in the Hatch’s Hero Campaign: Mt. View Ford, Mtn. View Chevy, Mountain View Nissan, Mtn. View and Mt. View@153. For each car sold at those dealerships during the next three months, $5 will be donated to the foundation.
The campaign is named in honor of Austin Hatcher Osborn – son of Jim and Amy Jo Osborn, the CEO and president, respectively, of the Austin Hatcher Foundation – who died in October 2006 at the age of nine weeks due an especially aggressive form of pediatric cancer. That resulted in the Osborns starting the Austin Hatcher Foundation and establishing their ambitious mission to erase the effects of pediatric cancer.
Central to the mission is the providing of various innovative services to young cancer patients and their families, while working to optimize the quality of life for all affected. The foundation’s specialized intervention begins with cancer diagnoses and continues throughout cancer survivorship.
The Mountain Auto Group was founded in the 1980s by C. Austin Watson. His grandson Clay Watson is the president of the company’s Ford-Lincoln dealership and a partner in the overall organizational structure. Clay Watson also is an ardent supporter of the Austin Hatcher Foundation.
“It’s easy for us to as an automobile group and family-owned business to support a group like the Austin Hatcher Foundation,” Watson said. “The Osborns started their foundation and they haven’t turned it over to anyone else since. They have just kept their sleeves rolled up and kept working. They are just passionate about helping people.
“When you see people this dedicated to their cause … we just enjoy being involved with them. We just simply believe in what they’re doing.”
“The Austin Hatcher Foundation’s efforts depend daily on people like Clay Watson and the entire Mountain View Auto Group family,” said Amy Jo Osborn. “When we started the foundation, people throughout the Chattanooga business community embraced our cause. We are fortunate that that embrace has endured. Likewise, we are fortunate to be able to partner with Mountain View once again for this very special summer fundraising campaign that will help benefit children who truly need our assistance.”
