Maple Hill Subaru are honored to receive the 2026 Subaru Love Promise HEART Award.
In recognition of our commitment to our customers and community.
We are honored to be nationally recognized by Subaru of America, Inc. for our dedication to living the Subaru Love Promise.
The 2026 Subaru Love Promise HEART Award recognizes Subaru retailers who use the principles of HEART: Honesty, Empathy, Appreciation, and Respect to earn your Trust.
We have been recognized for providing exemplary customer service and staying committed to our community.
Here at Maple Hill Subaru, we love making a positive impact on the lives of all of our customers, employees, and neighbors. We thank you for your support.
What is the Subaru Love Promise®?
The Subaru Love Promise® is our vision to show love and respect to all people at every interaction with Subaru. Subaru and our retailers believe every day gives us an opportunity to positively impact the world around us - by how we support each other, our customers, and our community. Together, we are committed to making the world a better place. The Love Promise is what makes Subaru More Than a Car Company® and a Subaru retailer More Than a Car Dealer®. It sets a standard that we are committed to living every day.
What is the Subaru Love Promise Community Commitment?
At Maple Hill Subaru, we believe in being a positive force in our community, not just with donations, but with actions that set an example for others to follow. We aim to make the world a better place through several key initiatives that help support and protect people, pets, and our planet:
How is Maple Hill Subaru dedicated locally to the Love Promise?
At Maple Hill Subaru, our Love Promise to the Kalamazoo area can be seen in the more than 25 events we sponsor each year. We are the Proud Title Sponsor of the annual Maple Hill Holiday Parade and the Maple Hill BBQ Bash. Additionally, We opened the Maple Hill Mountain Bike Trail in August of 2017 and the Maple Hill Splash Pad in 2023. We also sponsor many events focused on family focused, affordable, and community development. We're grateful for the opportunity, not only to be a part of the Kalamazoo community, but to serve it as well.
SPCA of West Michigan
Maple Hill Mountain Bike Trail
WMU Athletics, Mattawan Schools, Kalamazoo Public Schools, KVCC Technical School, Kalamazoo Regional schools
Maple Hill Holiday Parade, Maple Hill New Year's Family Fest / Kalamazoo arts , Maple Hill BBQ Bash, Maple Hill Splash Pad, Bethany Christian Services
Make-A-Wish Michigan, Team Taylor, Hospice , West Michigan Cancer Center, Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry
Love Promise Stories from Maple Hill Subaru
Subaru and Maple Hill Subaru believe in making a positive impact on the communities in which we live and work. We uphold that belief through our Love Promise Community Commitment. Every month, we select inspiring stories from customers and partners from around our area who strive to support our collective commitment and feature them here
2025 Maple Hill Holiday Parade - Abby V
At Maple Hill Subaru, supporting our community means preserving traditions that bring people together and stepping up when it matters most. Each year during the holiday season, we proudly host and serve as the lead sponsor of the Maple Hill Holiday Parade in downtown Kalamazoo, an event that has been a cherished community tradition since 1962. When the City of Kalamazoo made the difficult decision to stop funding the parade following COVID, Maple Hill Subaru's owner, Jim VandenBerg, ensured this beloved event would continue by purchasing and reviving the parade in 2021. Maple Hill Subaru previously sponsored the Holiday Parade from the mid-1990s through the mid-2000s, and today we are honored to once again lead, organize, and fully underwrite the event. With annual costs exceeding $60,000, Maple Hill Subaru proudly takes care of the expense to ensure the parade remains a free tradition that is accessible to everyone. The parade operates with three key goals in mind: providing a free, family-focused event for the Southwest Michigan community; raising critical funds for our local food pantry, Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes, and promoting and supporting downtown businesses. Months of planning and coordination go into bringing the parade to life, from recruiting sponsors and coordinating logistics to organizing volunteers and parade participants. All of this ensures a festive, inclusive celebration that brings thousands to downtown Kalamazoo. This year's parade featured over 100 parade units, more than 15 local sponsors, and over 2,500 individuals who walked in the parade and volunteered their time. Over 25,000 attendees lined the streets, creating a significant boost for downtown Kalamazoo businesses which was a nice kickoff to the holiday season. Nearly 90% of Maple Hill Subaru employees participated by carrying floats, banners, and balloons, assisting with setup and coordination, and collecting donations throughout the parade route. One employee shared, "Walking in the Maple Hill Holiday Parade has truly been a full circle moment for me. I remember attending the parade each year when I was younger, even when it was cold and snowy. Now, it is so special to be one of the people walking in the parade carrying the balloons and banners. It was incredible to see kids' faces light up at the floats, bands, and organizations walking by. I also know it has been, and thanks to Maple Hill, continues to be, a huge benefit to downtown Kalamazoo businesses that often struggle to see traffic…" Most importantly, the parade supports Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes, our local food pantry. With over 95 distribution locations and more than 850 residents served each day, donations are especially critical during the holiday season when children are out of school and families must provide additional meals at home. Maple Hill Subaru guaranteed a $10,000 donation match, encouraging the community to give. The parade raised $19,288, and Maple Hill Subaru proudly increased that total to $29,288 to help fight food insecurity for local families. Seeing families gather, children smile, employees volunteer, and community unity is a powerful reminder of the impact we can make together. This is the heart of the Subaru Love Promise, and we are proud to live it every day as we are more than just a car dealer.
Blood Drive - Jeff V
At Maple Hill Subaru, giving back to our community is at the heart of everything they do. On January 9, 2026, we they proudly partnered with the American Red Cross for their first-ever blood drive, and the response was truly inspiring. Together, we collected 25 units of blood, 21 of which came from first-time donors! This was a powerful reminder of how willing our Kalamazoo community is to step up when given the opportunity to help. Blood donation is a simple, selfless act that can be done every 56 days and has the potential to save lives. With each unit of blood able to help up to three people, this single blood drive had the potential to impact as many as 75 individuals in need. Employee engagement was incredible, with over half of the donations coming from Maple Hill Subaru team members. One employee shared, "I love that Maple Hill Subaru offers us opportunities on site to give back and connect with the community. I've never donated blood before, but Maple Hill and the Red Cross made it easy to do so, and I'll definitely be donating next time." Moments like these highlight how empowering it can feel to give back to our community and how important it is to offer opportunities like blood donation. Their staff worked together to transform our showroom into a comfortable, welcoming donation space, gathering chairs, tables, supplies, and offering cookies and snacks afterwards to thank donors. This partnership is just the beginning as we strive to host a blood drive every six months, with our next scheduled for June 5, 2026. We are proud to support our community in such a meaningful way and look forward to continuing to save lives together!
Maple Hill Subaru Supports YWCA Kalamazoo - Joshua S
Imagine going without a coat, shoes, or even socks. For millions of children and adults experiencing homelessness and other urgent need situations across the country, even here in Kalamazoo, this is a harsh reality. Helping others strengthens communities, which is why Maple Hill Subaru is partnering with Operation Warm®, a national nonprofit focused on connecting children with the resources they need to thrive. Through this partnership and other Subaru Loves to Help® efforts, Subaru and retailers like Maple Hill Subaru have helped nearly 900,000 children and adults in urgent need. On 01/16/2025, Maple Hill Subaru donated 300 coats to YWCA Kalamazoo. These essential items not only help keep children protected, warm, and dry, it can have a significant impact on a child's mental and emotional well-being.
Maple Hill Subaru - Delivering Love and Care to Local Patients - Mary G
The Maple Hill Subaru dealership recently brought warmth and comfort to patients at the West Michigan Cancer Center through a heartfelt blanket delivery. As part of their annual "Subaru Loves to Care" initiative, the team hand-delivered cozy blankets to individuals undergoing treatment, offering both physical comfort and emotional support during a challenging time. The gesture was met with heartfelt gratitude, as many patients expressed how the blankets provided a sense of care and hope. Staff at the center noted the positive atmosphere the visit created, lifting spirits across the facility. Maple Hill Subaru’s continued commitment to the community demonstrates how small acts of kindness can make a meaningful impact in the lives of those facing health battles.
Maple Hill Subaru Loves the Earth - Randi D
I ordered a tree from Maple Hill Subaru's "Love the Earth" event and took my daughter for what turned out to be a super fun day! The staff was helpful with loading our new serviceberry sapling and providing planting instructions. My daughter absolutely loved the craft activities - painting a colorful birdhouse, planting wildflower seeds, and creating a pinwheel for our garden. The free concessions were a nice touch too. We're looking forward to this becoming an annual tradition! Maple Hill Subaru not only helped make Kalamazoo greener but created a wonderful family memory.
Make A Wish Michigan - Sarah B
On April 17th, Maple Hill Subaru partnered with Subaru to donate $15,000 to Make-A-Wish Michigan during the 2024 Share the Love Event. This annual initiative allows customers who purchase or lease a new Subaru to select one of four national charities or two local organizations to receive a $250 donation from Subaru. Maple Hill enhanced this impact by matching an additional $200 per vehicle, bringing each donation to an impressive $450. Make-A-Wish Michigan was one of the local charity options. These meaningful contributions directly support children facing critical illnesses, like James. After his body began rejecting a heart transplant he received as an infant, James needed surgery and was given just a 2% chance of survival. Throughout his lengthy hospital stay, building with LEGO bricks became his source of comfort and joy. When given the opportunity to make a wish, James knew exactly what he wanted – to visit LEGOLAND. Thanks to organizations like Make-A-Wish Michigan and the support they receive from partnerships like Maple Hill Subaru's, James not only got to experience the wonder of LEGOLAND but also enjoyed a special one-on-one session with a master builder raising his spirits and letting him just be a kid. James' experience marked a significant milestone as the 12,000th wish granted by Make-A-Wish Michigan. Through the Share the Love Event, Maple Hill Subaru demonstrates how they’re more than just a car dealer, they’re a community partner.
Share the Love SPCA 2025 - Katie T
Through the 2024 Subaru Share the Love Event, Maple Hill Subaru donated $17,000 to the SPCA of Southwest Michigan, marking fourteen years of partnership dedicated to animal welfare. During the event, customers purchasing or leasing new Subaru vehicles could direct a $250 donation to their choice of four national charities or two local organizations, with Maple Hill's additional match bringing each contribution to $450. This enduring partnership has helped the SPCA of Southwest Michigan grow into the largest no-kill shelter in the state. Their comprehensive approach includes a kennel facility, veterinary services, and behavioral programs that prepare animals for successful adoptions and forever homes. The $17,000 donation will directly support the SPCA's mission of rescuing cats and dogs while working to end senseless animal euthanasia. For the countless animals who find refuge at the SPCA—from playful kittens to senior dogs needing specialized care—this contribution represents essential care and the promise of a better tomorrow.
YWCA Coat Donation - YWCA K
This January, Maple Hill Subaru has partnered with YWCA Kalamazoo to help keep local children warm this winter. Through Subaru's Share the Love initiative, the dealership donated 300 winter coats to children served by YWCA Kalamazoo's programs. "These are more than just coats, these are a kid's opportunity to play outside or walk to school," said staff from the YWCA. The donation comes at a critical time as winter temperatures persist in Southwest Michigan. Many families served by YWCA Kalamazoo struggle to afford proper winter clothing, often having to choose between basic necessities like food and warm clothing for their growing children. For Maple Hill Subaru, this initiative aligns perfectly with Subaru's commitment to keeping love and support local. "We believe in being more than just a car dealership," says Jim VandenBerg, General Manager of Maple Hill Subaru. "We're part of this community, and supporting organizations like YWCA Kalamazoo that make such a meaningful impact is central to our values." YWCA Kalamazoo will distribute the coats through their various programs, ensuring they reach children who need them most. The organization's comprehensive approach to supporting families includes emergency shelter, transitional housing, domestic violence services, and childcare programs, making them uniquely positioned to identify and assist families in need. YWCA Kalamazoo has been a cornerstone of support for women and families in the greater Kalamazoo area for almost 140 years. The organization provides essential services including emergency housing, childcare, and domestic violence support services, serving over 1,000 children annually through their various programs. For more information about YWCA Kalamazoo's programs or to learn how you can support their mission, visit ywcakalamazoo.org.
Pop City Popcorn - Rebecca B
We are so thankful for Maple Hill Subaru for sponsoring the Holiday parade in Downtown Kalamazoo. This beloved tradition was dropped by the city and Maple Hill swooped in and saved the parade. Maple Hill is dedicated to making downtown Kalamazoo a destination and their support and kindness shines forth toward the business district and the community! THANK YOU!
Maple Hill BBQ Bash - Rhasheda S
For years, the annual Ribfest has been more than just a food festival. It’s been a beacon of hope, a fundraiser that empowers individuals with developmental disabilities through the ARC Community Advocates. When the previous sponsor pulled out, Maple Hill stepped up to form the Maple Hill BBQ Bash. They took on the challenge of planning, fundraising, and financing this $200,000 event. With their support, we brought in talented artists like Hailey Whitters and Starship featuring Mickey Thomas to create an unforgettable experience for the entire community. This partnership is more than just a business deal. It’s a love promise. A commitment to our community, to our mission, and to the individuals we serve. Together, we’re making a difference by providing essential services, advocating for inclusive policies, and empowering individuals to live their best lives. Thank you, Maple Hill, for your unwavering support.
