Shawn Esfahani donates $1.6 million to local charities

Local businessman and philanthropist establishes $1.6 million in grants for Penelope House, Inc., The Lighthouse, Prodisee Pantry, Inc., and Kidz Eatz, Inc.

November 13, 2023

DAPHNE, AL.— November 13, 2023 — This Thanksgiving local charities in Southern Alabama have much to be thankful for. On Wednesday November 15, 2023, Shawn Esfahani, founder of the Shawn Esfahani Foundation, will present $1.6 million in grants to the following local charities: Penelope House, Inc., The Lighthouse, Prodisee Pantry, Inc., and Kidz Eatz, Inc.

“Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it’s a time to contemplate our blessings, and I have so much to be grateful for,” said Shawn Esfahani. “Mr. E” (as his employees affectionately call him) moved to the United States when he was just 17 years old. “I had loving parents and a wonderful family, but they were thousands of miles away. When I was young and all alone, this country essentially adopted me, and I never forgot that. I didn’t want to get here just to ‘get here,’ I wanted to be able to give back.” said Mr. Esfahani.

Mr. Esfahani, the owner of the Esfahani Automotive Group which owns car dealerships in Alabama and Georgia, including local dealerships Eastern Shore, Toyota, Eastern Shore Hyundai, and Eastern Shore Used Car Center, is donating $600,000 to Kidz Eatz, $500,000 to Prodisee Pantry, $350,000 to Penelope House, and $150,000 to The Lighthouse.

“I chose these four charities because they are very active in the local community and collectively, they feed, clothe, shelter, and protect our most vulnerable neighbors” said Esfahani. Since moving to Daphne, Alabama in 2006, Mr. Esfahani has loyally supported local charities. Nevertheless, in 2022, Mr. Esfahani formed his 501(c)(3) charitable foundation to further his commitment to donate even more to the community and to encourage other like-minded philanthropists an opportunity to support those in need.

Mr. Esfahani will honor these four charities in a ceremony at Eastern Shore Toyota at 11 AM on Wednesday November 15, 2023. If you wish to contribute to those in need through the Shawn Esfahani Foundation, please visit www.shawnesfahanifoundation.com.

Costume Contest

Trunk-Or-Treat

Coastal Alabama Down Syndrome Buddy Walk

Oct, 2022

Eastern Shore Toyota Was A Proud Sponsor And Set Up A Booth At The U.S.S. Alabama Battleship For The Coastal Alabama Down Syndrome Buddy Walk For The National Down Syndrome Society Held On Saturday October 15, 2022.

SHAWN ESFAHANI FOUNDATION TO GIVE $2 MILLION TO SOUTHERN ALABAMA COMMUNITIES

Feb, 2022

DAPHNE, AL – The New Shawn Esfahani Foundation Has Pledged To Donate $2 Million Dollars To Southern Alabama Communities. Founder Shawn Esfahani Of The Shawn Esfahani & Associates Automotive Group – Which Includes Eastern Shore Toyota, Eastern Shore Hyundai, Genesis Of Eastern Shore, Eastern Shore Luxury Cars And Headquarter Nissan – Plans To Provide That Help And Support To The Areas With The Most Dire Needs.

Some Of The Organizations Esfahani Specifically Mentioned Include The Baldwin County Humane Society, Team Focus, Scholarships For South Alabama And The Alabama Sheriffs Youth Ranches. However, More Recipients Will Undoubtedly Be Added In The Future.

One Of Esfahani’s Most Recent Efforts Supporting Southern Alabama Communities Happened During Late Summer And Early Fall 2021. He Spearheaded An Initiative To Improve Vaccination Rates In Baldwin And Mobile Counties By Giving Away A Total Of $100,000 Through Weekly Vaccination Raffles. To Ensure That His Stores’ Team Members Understood The Importance Of The COVID Vaccines, He Also Organized An Information Session At Eastern Shore Toyota With Local Medical Experts.

Animal Welfare Is Another Cause That Carries A High Level Of Personal Interest For Esfahani. Many Residents In The Community May Remember Tundra – The Lovable, Friendly Canine Mascot For The Shawn Esfahani & Associates Automotive Group. While Tundra Sadly Crossed The Rainbow Bridge In Recent Months, A New Dog, Named Boo Boo, Is Proudly Being Introduced As The Company’s New Mascot. “Boo Boo Is Already Making The Rounds And Quickly Gaining A Reputation As One Of The Cutest And Cuddliest Dogs Around,” Esfahani Said. “We Hope Everyone In The Community Gets The Chance To Meet Him.”

Magical Christmas Toy Drive

Dec, 2021

Eastern Shore Toyota Has Partnered With WKRG In The Magical Christmas Toy Drive To Deliver Hundreds Of Toys To Kids In Need This Holiday Season!

Vaccination Event

Aug-Oct, 2021

We’re Serious About Protecting Our Community Against Covid! We Held A 10 Week Vaccination Event Where Each Week, 10 People That Showed Proof Of Vaccination Were Drawn As Winners To Receive $1,000 Each. We Gave Away $100,000 During This Event! We Even Held Vaccination Drives Onsite For People To Get Vaccinated. We’re Proud Of You Mobile And Daphne! It Pays To Get Vaccinated!

Pet Adoption Event

Mar 30, 2020

Thanks to all who joined Eastern Shore Toyota and the Baldwin Humane Society for our Pet Adoption Event. A special thanks goes to those who adopted a sweet pet. We look forward to future Adoption events to help find these pets find a home.

Donation Drive

Mar 30, 2020

We’re very thankful to have been able to host a Donation Drive benefitting Penelope House & The Lighthouse. Both of these are safe houses for abused women and children. The drive was able to donate items such as gift cards, laundry detergent, paper towels, socks, pillows, diapers and more!

Pet Adoption Event

Mar 30, 2020

We absolutely love helping sweet pets find their new furever home and are happy to have contributed 50% of the adoption fees for each pet adopted.

Paper Shredding Event

Mar 30, 2020

Eastern Shore Toyota partnered up with Iron Mountain for our Community Paper Shredding Event on January 17th. This event was FREE and held in our showroom to allow those in the community to destroy their personal documents to help prevent identity theft!

Pet Adoption Event

Mar 30, 2020

We were yet again fortunate to have helped the Baldwin Humane Society in finding homes for pets during our Pet Adoption Event on January 3. We work together and hold these events a few times a year, so continue to keep an eye out on the next one. Don’t miss out!

Holiday Gift Drive

Mar 13, 2020

Our 2019 Holiday Gift Drive was a huge success! We received so many Household & Holiday items to help those in need through the Ronald McDonald House Charities Mobile! We’re very grateful for those who participated and joined us for a time of fun, refreshments and music during the Family Fun event. Santa loved meeting all the children!

Shoes For Books Drive

Mar 13, 2020

Thank you for everyone who came out to support the Kiwanis Club of Daphne on December 9!
We were able to collect tons of shoes , which will provide books for so many children in our area!!

Pet Adoption Event

Mar 13, 2020

We’re so excited to have helped Baldwin Humane Society find these sweet pets their FURever homes during the Pet Adoption Event on Friday, December 6! We host several adoption events throughout the year, so keep your eye out for your next chance to adopt.

Toys For Tots

Mar 13, 2020

We were fortunate to be an official TOYS FOR TOTS drop-off center for new unwrapped toys. These toys were distributed to children in need during this Holiday Season.

Trunk Or Treat

Mar 13, 2020

Just a little Halloween fun! Trunk or Treat was a blast and we loved seeing all the cool, spooky costumes!