Lithia Subaru of Fresno presented a $25,978 check to the Down Syndrome Association of Central California (DSACC) last week as part of its Share the Love campaign.

The Subaru Share the Love campaign was held in December 2016. For every car sold or leased that month, Subaru set aside $250 to donate to pre-selected charities.

“We are blown away by the generosity of Lithia Subaru,” DSACC Executive Director Jennifer Whiting said in a statement. “As a local independent community benefit organization, we work hard to raise funds for the educational, support and social programs we offer to our members and the community.

“We are not part of a larger organization, so every dollar is vital and stays here in the Central Valley. A donation of this size means we can do that much to enhance the quality of life for all people whose lives are touched by Down syndrome.”

The funds will allow DSACC to send six adults with Down syndrome to a convention this summer, where they will learn to be better self-advocates. The remainder of the donation will help support existing education, support and social programs across DSACC’s service area, which covers Merced, Mariposa, Madera, Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties.